The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-12-04


The concert Friday evening was the
tenth annual concert of the Keokuk
high school, The first concert was in
Nav 1899, and consisted of a mis-
cpllaneous program. The annual con-
cert has been given regularly since,
except in 1905 and 1909. During
these years the chorus have produced
.The Wreck of the Hesperus," by
Anderton; Ruth by Gaul; "The
Maiden" by Cowen, twice; '"The Holy
city, by Gaul, twice; The Creation, :"
Haydn twice; and The Building of
the Ship by Anderton. They have
all been given in the high school
assembly room, except Creation
both performances of which were CIV
on in the Presbyterian chsrcn The
accompaniment of these two concerts,
consisted of Iiano, organ and orches-
ira. The soloists on both occasions
being Mrs. Bence, Mr.. Arthur Middle
ton and Mr.. James Young. Since
singing in these concerts, MT. Mid
dleton has become one of the most
sought after oratorio singers in the
west. Mr.. Bentley mentions him as
his ideal for the part of Elijah. the
leading part in the great oratorio,
now in rehearsal by the Monday
Music Club chorus.
The chorus taking part in 1.-THE
Holy City" Friday night was smaller
than usual, numbering only one hun
4 q 81,
membered that the rehearsing of the
difficult choruses of 1.-The Holy City"
was done as regular school work, it
is only fair to say that the chorus did
splendid work The tone quality of
the sopranos was pure and musical
and the information good. The altos
we're always reliable and prompt. and
deserve especial cmlnendation for
their attack and assurance. The bass
part was well done by the young men,
who formed the bass section. They
sang their part with vigor and good
volume. The tenor part was also we'll
sustained which is q new feature in
the high school choruses-this being
the first concert at which the tenor
rart has been carried by hign school
pupils.
The work of the soloists was ex-
celent Miss Russell as soprano
Mrs. Joy as alto, Mr.. Young as tenor,
Mr.. Will Smith as bass.
Miss Russell's voice is brilliant
soprano and in volume and quality
well adapted to singing the part The
two beautiful solos in the alto part
were finely rendered by Mrs. Joy
with smooth full alto voice The
range of the tenor part is rather high.
giving Mr. Young an opportunity to
use his voice where 1t is naturally
effective. Mr.. Young has that rare
gift. pure, high tenor voice. The
singing of Mr. Will c. Smith recently
living in Quincy, but an old time Keo-
kuk boy, was delight to his many
Keokuk friends. Nature has given
him voice of unusual power and
brilliant quality, and he has always
sung from the love of singing. He
sang his solos effectively, and every
demand for volume and power was
easily met without seeming effort on
his part.
Delbert Chute as accompanist, gave
the chorus as much support as one
could expect from single piano. and
the two instrumental numbers he
played were fully enjoyed by rne aud
lence. His rendering of these two
selections showed high appreciation
Ct their musical qualities.
All in all, the concert was an I'M
qualified success, and Mr.. Hayden
the director OF music in our public
schools, is to be congratulated. To
give high school pupils experience in
studying and singing such works is
adding great deal to the culture of
the community, and preparing these
young singers to do most effective
work in adult choruses wherever they
may be located.