The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-29
FIRST REHEARSAL
!. BY IMMENSE CHOIR
IS AWE-|NSP|R
Twelve Hundred Singers To
Be Used in Big Gipsy
Smith Meetings
5000 CAN BE SEATED
IN BIG AUDITORIUM
Final Rehearsals Will Be Held This
Week for Reception of Eyangel
list Who Comes Here Next
Saturday

The choir to be used in the forth
coming Gypsy Smith revival met yes
terday afternoon at o'clock in the
great auditorium between Twenty
second and Twenty-third streets on
First avenue. The singers were 500
strong yesterday and held their first
joint rehearsal. 1t is believed that when
the entire choir is assembled it will
number between 900 and 1100
The city has been divided into three
sections and a committee has been put
in charge of each. The eastern diyis-
ion consists of that part of the city
east of and including Avondale; the
trail part of the city as well as North
Birmingham Fountain Heights and
Smithfield; the western section includes
West End, Ensley, Wylam, Fairview
and Pratt City DIR. r. +. Lovelady is
chairman of the committee in the east
ern section, G. II. Grain of the central
and DR.. Robert p. Noble is in charge
of the western division.
The various committees are whipping
their sections into shape and each of
them will have meetings this week for
rehearsing. There exists a friendly
rivalry between the western division
and that of the east as to which shall
have the most singers and the chairman
of each section is putting his best foot
forward
Will Seat 1900 Singers
The mammoth auditorium is now
complete and the immense choir loft,
capable of seating 1900 singers, has
been apportioned to the different Sec
|tions. The singers we're yesterday given
cards emitting them to a seat in the
choir loft, as the entire gallery is to
be devoted exclusively to the choir. In
the center all the alto singers will be
seated while the tenors are to be placed
on the extreme right and the bass on
the left. The volume of sound issuing
from the throats of the vast assem-
blage gathered in rehearsal yesterday
was awe-inspiring. Although the choir
only was asked to be present yester-
day afternoon many persons not con-
nected with it were on hand.
The building will hold fully 5000 peo-
pie when all the seats are placed. 1t is
1870 feet wide and extends from First
avenue to Morris. No flooring has been
with about six inches of sawdust The
about six inches of sawdust. The
floor slopes gently downward to the
rostrum and the benches are arranged
in tiers, each a few inches higher than
the other, thus giving the entire con-
gregation a clear view of the speaker.
The committee of arrangements of
which DIR. j. S. Foster Is chairman will
meet today for the purpose of perfecting
plans. Mr.. Smith Will arrive in the city
next Saturday and a meeting of well
come will be held at the auditorium
that night. The evangelist will address
the personal workers and ministers and
all others whomay be interested.
Dates For Rehearsals
DR.. Robert p. Noble. chairman of the
western section of the choir, announces
that his division will meet Wednesday
night at o'clock at the First Baptist
church in Ensley. There Will be divis-
ion rehearsal and he urges all the sing
ers in his section to be present
There will be a general rehearsal of
the entire choir at the auditorium next
Friday night. Badges will then be dis
tributed to all the choir members and
as this is the last time the choir will
have an opportunity of meeting to-
gether before the revival starts on Sat-
urday the division chairmen are urged
from their respective divisions.