The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-21
After Years of Practice, Rich
lmond Symphony Orchestra
Wins Favor of Worlds Re-
nowned Critics.
MAY MUSICALE TO BE
BEST ONE HELD HERE
Credit for Success Gained by
String Section Given Prof.
Hicks-Enters Amusement
Field in 1912.

Never In musical history OF H1C0-
mond has there been a prospect for
festival or musicale in which the prin-
cipal parts are taken by local people as
there is for the May Musical Festival
which will take place on Thursday
and Friday. The soloists only will be
imported talent, the orchestra, adult
and children's chorus, being composed
of Richmond and Wayne county peo-
pie.
Every Sunday afternoon for the last
three years, and during the past few
weeks several times week in addi-
ton to the regular Sunday rehearsal.
has the Richmond Symphony orches-
ira met. The best musical critics of
the country, among the most renowned
of whom is W. S. B. Mathews OF Chi
cago, say Richmond has the best or
chestra of the kind, in fact, the only
one of the kind in the world. Rich
mond, it was said, may well feel proud
of this musical distinction, which it is
also said Is not appreciated by the
general public.
The string section. under the direc-
ton of Frederick Hicks, is a marvel
Mr.. Hicks, according to critics de-
serves great credit for this section,
principally composed Of his pupils
Other sections Of the big orchostFa of
sixty-five pieces. an increase 81 ten
members over last yeNr. are equal In
credit In these instances probably is
not due to the work Of any one person.
The choruses.
The adult chorus includes $50 per-
sons. while the children's chorus, en-
tirely of treble voices is made up Of
Garfield pupils. The picking OF q
chorus of the size. and to do the work
that is required of this one, from q
school is a great credit to the general
musical standing of the community,
according to one of the festival pro-
moters. Usually the chorus of child's
voices has been chosen from the best
singers Of all tho schools of the city.
There are only 400 pupils at Garfield.
Those ruled out had bass voices, and
we're not rejected from the chorus be-
cause of their inability to sing.
The soloists are said to be excellent
Luella Ghilson-O Ohrman is the soprano,
imported, although part of the work
will be done by Mrs. F. w. Kruger of
Richmond. Jessie Lynde Hopkins
sings contralto, John B. Miller. tenor.
Aurele Borriss, the baritone, and Leon
Sampaix, pianist. The choral num-
bers are the Requiem" by Verdi,
which a member of the executive COM
mittee said will be wonderful work,
as sung by the local chorus, and the
Legend of Bregenz." by Bendall.
To Enter Entertainment Field.
Compared with the best orchestras
of the United States, the Richmond
Symphony would stand high, provided
the local organization would be given
an opportunity TO practice the work.
"The bog orchestras," he said. "are
able to play anything. practically at
sight OF course we can not" Next
year itgis understood, the orchestra
will 60 into an Independent field. that
is give a number of entertainments. It
will notbe backed by any organization
as is the festival this year. The Com
mercial club is promoting the music
ale this year.