The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1912-06-13
Commencement.
two years and under her direction it
has become one of the best factors at
Penn.
The Penn Musical.

$500. =. ~.
The Penn Musical.
Monday afternoon in the Auditor
ium occurred the musical given by
! The Wood Musical Trio. The Trio
was made up of three young ladies
playing the violin, cello and piano
Their selections were of the high
class order and they We're forced to
respond to many encores during the
afternoon. They played duets and
solos and one of the members fay.
ored the audience with three vocal
selections and a reading. About four
hundred people were present and the
building committee reaped nice
little surplus for the auditorium.
-. - -
"The Rose Maiden"
The musical department of Penn
college covered itself with glory on
Monday evening by presenting THE
Rose Maiden" in a most creditable
manner to fully 900 people who sat
fascinated by the strains of good mu-
sic. In the excellent production of
this beautiful cantata the climax of
successful year of music was reach
ed, climax of which any school
might well feel proud. At this time
of year when all nature is bubbling
with life and music the story of The
Queen of the Flower Fairies" is ex-
ltremely pleasing. The fine, new au-
ditorium, with its splendid acoustic
properties and capacity which only
an enormous attendance can tax,
coupled with the fact that the even
ing was warmer than previous ones,
all conspired to make the entertain
ment decided success.
The chorus, consisting of sixty
voices, under the direction of Prof
Hockett, maintained, and in many
respects excelled, it's previously well
established reputation for good mu-
sic. Rose Maiden" contains many
beautiful and difficult choruses, all of
which were faultlessly rendered and
given an Interpretation much appre-
ciated by the most eXacting musical
critic. Especially well received was
the Wedding Chorus" which was en-
certainly to be commended for its
superb work, and from this taste of
what can be done, more of this class
of work will be expected.
Assisting the chorus were several
musical artists of the first rank
among the singers of the middle west |
Mrs. Helen Yates Martin, of Des
Moines, soprano; Miss Letha Peck
ham,. of Penn School of Music, con-
tralto; Mr. Wylie Stewart, of Mon
mouth, H., tenori Mr.. Harry Murri-
son, of Des Moines, baritone. All of
the soloists did splendidly Mr..
Hockett is to be commended for his |
selection of talent, for each voice
seemed peculiarly fitted to interpret
the particular part written for it.
Mrs. Martin made an excellent ap- |
pearance and captivated her hearers =,
by the ease with which she executed |
the most difficult solos and recita- |
tions. Her voice was pleasingly |
smooth and the high notes were TAX
en- with ease. Her interpretations |
were flawless.
The work of Miss Peckham needs !
no comment in the music circles Of
Oskaloosa. All know of her excel |
lence. 1t is, however, a great salts '
faction to know that she can sing
with professional artists and score
her usual hit. Miss Peckham proved /
again her high qualities as a singer.
Mr.. Wylie Stewart, of Monmouth, /.
ILL.,, made his initial appearance be-
fore an Oskaloosa audience. His
voice is clear, firm and strong, and
with ease he scared among the notes !
in the high parts. His popularity !
increased as the program progressed
until in the last recitation the audi
ence was captivated, and expressed
its appreciation by prolonged APP
plause. His return will be greeted
with delight by musical OskaloOsa. 1
Fortunate were we to have the OPP !
portunity to hear Mr.. Murrison, of I
Des Moines, one of the leading sing
ers Of that rapidly growing musical
center. Mr.. Murrison's musical edu-
cation is very extensive and this
fact was impressed upon his hearers
as he showed such marvellous tech
nique and interpretatiye power. Mr..
Murrison is full of energy and enters
into his part with great deal OF en-
thusiasm. .... Sd.
Too often, in such productions, is
the accompanist overlooked. We
seldom applaud or even think of the
skill required by the accompanist to
make the occasion a success. Miss
Bussey did the part at the piano just
right. She was at the piano from
start to finish and was there with the
required ability. Ht
And last, tribute must be paid to
the man behind the gun, Mr.. Hockett,
director of the Penn School Of Mu-
sic, to whom much credit is due for
the absolute control under which he
had the chorus. The great chorus
Of voices sang as unit and by the
mere wave of the baton could be
made 10 burst forth into thunderous
volumes or to sink into subdued
whispers.