The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-05-21
Chorus Work In The Hymn
Of Praise Is Magnificent
Rare Skill Of Leadership Is
Exhibited By Mr.. Coup

Although the seating capacity of
the Presbyterian church was extend
ed to its utmost by the addition of
chairs it was scarcely adequate for
the enthusiastic audience which eag-
erly awaited the appearance of Evan
Williams. The first glimpse of this
wonderful tenor sent the people into
raptures. From the time he first
stepped upon the platform until he
had been called and recalled again
he held his place in the hearts of his
listeners. He poured into that vast
audience the great sea of tone for
which they had been waiting. 1t is
rare to find the dramatic and lyric
style so we'll proportioned as they are
in Mt. Williams art, and he changes
from an atmosphere of intensity to
one tender and pathetic with under
standing and fine finish. The power
and vigor Of Mr.. Williams voice be-
came evident in the song, Sound an
Alarm" from Judas Maccabeus, while
its beautiful pathos was manifest in
"a Perfect Day." which he sang by
request, the first notes of which sent
wave Of surprise and eXultaton ov-
er the audience. All his songs dis
played merited musicianship, de-
veloped to its highest perfection. His
tones of velvety smoothness and rich
ness, enunciatiOn so easy to follow,
his diction so pure, his artistic inter-
probation of all that he sang, together
with his unaffected manner, complete
ly charmed his hearers and won him
a lofty place in the affections of mus
ical Mt. Vernon.
Mr.. Williams greatest asset is his
wonderful sense of emotional beauty
to which his great voice lends deli
cate expression. He realizes that any
artistic appeal must be one of this
significance and his rendition of 20
Dry Those Tears" and Little Boy
Blue" showed this so beautifully.
However, in the great tenor parts OF
"The Hymn of Praise" he felt that he
had something worthy of his great
interpretative powers and his rendi-
tion of these parts was a record of
inspired emotion.
He sensed the wonderful support Of
the chorus in this direction for he re-
marked that the members sang with
more spirit and soul than any he had
met in many a day.
For this, he ascribed much credit
to the artistic leadership Of Mr.. Coup,
who feels so keenly the parts sung by
the chorus and gives to them the in
depreciation of which only a true
artist is capable.
Mr.. Williams has tendency to
eclipse all other performers, no mat
ter what their merit may be, but in
spite of this Miss Doak stood out re-
markably She has charming per-
sonality which lends itself to artistic
expression and, as predicted in yes
terday's paper, measured up to our
highest anticipations.
In Mrs Forest G. Crowley, Colum-
bus has acquired a. singer whose
warmth of tone, evenness of regis
tration, and tacile phrasing are
worthy OF the highest praise.
Many remarked that the chorus has
improved on the work of all previous
years, which is in itself high praise.
Mt. Vernon has right to feel proud
of the chorus which universally at
tracts the attention of visiting artists.
MEMBERS OF THE CHORUS
SOPRANO
Mildred Aler. superintendent; Mrs.
Clarence Anderson, Doris Brannigan,
Mrs. Louis Baker. Minnie Bennett,
Elizabeth Cole, Wilda Clarke, Mrs.
Fred Clough, Mrs. ]. R. Clutter, Mrs.
Guy Clutter Lorene Canning, Helen