Norwich bulletin., 1915-05-22

MT. WellS ana the club, IN the concert
on Friday evening. and it was a not
able proof of this that the audience
caught instantly and responded with
laughter and applause for the delicious
bits of humor that were offered in the
number of encOreS that Mr.. Wells was
so generous with, while the selections
by the club were all given with a
clarity Of enunciation that betokened
their careful training and attention to
the most satisfactory effects under the
guidance of Charles D. Geer, musical
director. Singing in melodiouS voice
of fine quality, there was a tempera-
mental unity between chorus and di-
rector that accounted for a delight
full rendering of each number and
through all was the magnificent sup
port given by the accomplishments of
Frederick w. Lester.
The opening number by the Bass
CIef, Sword of Ferrara (Bullard) was
given with excellent Interpretation of
its martial swing and spirit and some
sharp contrasts in a soberer strain
that were adequately handled An
encore was demanded and given. In a
quieter tempo and with dainty touches
of light and shade was the succeed
ing number by the club. Echoes, by
Little
A Drinking Song by -Gottschalk was
which was given with notably pleas
ing effect, while a dramatic number
that was well handled was Mother
O'Mine (Burleigh).
For the De Koven Recessional, with
words by Rudyard Kipling, Mr. Wells
sang with the club, making the solo
part a distinctive contribution to the
impressive chorus work by the club
that brought out the solemn import
of words and music. They were call
ed upon to repeat the selection.
In the number that opened the Sec
ond part Of the programme, The Whale
(JacobSen), the club was heard in a
rolliclling sea chorus that was inter
jected in this characteristic number
that was brought out with admirable
spirit and understanding. Their final
number was Bugle Song CBuck) with
words from Tennyson's Princess, in
which Miss Annie L. Taft was at the
organ and the bugle effects in the
distance were given by Herman Felt
corn and John NJ. Swain, comets. 1t
was rendered with nice appreciation
of tonal effects and resonant quality
in the singing voices.
With his first group of songs, Mr..
Wells made his audience his own by
the charm of his voice and the gra-
ciousness of his manner, a favor that
was deepened with each successive
appearance and called for encores,
which he seemed delighted to give,
even to the extent Of a double encore
after his last group of songs.
Me or Not, Secchi; Phyllis Hath Such
Charming Graces. Anthony Young, and
Come and Trip It, Handel.
He showed a voice of notable f1ex-
Utility and at all times under perfect
control and responsive to each demand
that he made upon it. we'll filled out
whether in high or low register and
used at times with admirable express
sion.
Particularly was his artistic ability
in his second group of songs, which
We're the Persian Cycle from 1.-THE
Divan of Hafiz,' with lyrics by Rich
ard LIE Gallienne. They were, Heart,
Have You Heard the News? o Love!
the Beauty of the Moon Is Thine;
Wind of the East; Love. If for Moth
ing Else.
As the final group he gave Alone
I Wander, Harriet Ware; The Owl,
Why, John Barnes Wells; Moon and
Sea, Montague Phillips; If L Were
King, Campbell-Tipton.
In his encores he was heard with de-
light in a lullaby called Mamny's
Song, several sketchy little bits with
Irish airs and humor, and a dashing
sea ballad.
The active members of the Bass Cleft
are the following:
First tenors: Harry ]. Branche.
Herman B. Chandler Curtis Hull,
Charles H. Lamb, E. J. Lynch, Charles |
w. Parsons, Joseph r. Schwartz.
Second tenors: Ebenezer Allen, Will |
lam A. Buckingham, Oscar w. Car |
penter. James ]. Moore, J. c. Over |
bagh, Howard L. Peckham, Leonard |
c. Prentice.
First BASES: w. Humphrey Amy, |
Charles D. Geer, George A. Goss, Jr, |
Philip A Johnson. Robert C. Johnson, |
Archibald MacDougan, Archibald |
Mitchell. 4th. Reuben P. Potter, Will |
lam H. Rush. |
Second BASES: Raymond V. Cong |
don, Grosvenor Ely, Thomas F. Erd- |
man, George II. Ewing, Charles c. Gill |
dersleeve, George H. Kramer, William |
A Lund, Charles V. Perry, Jr, John |
E. Vaughn. |
The executive committee consists of |
Grosvenor Ely, president; Ebeneze
Allen, vice president, John E. Vaughn, |
secretary; Curtis Hull assistant secre- |
tary; James J. Moore. treasurer;
Charles D. Geer, musical director;
Thomas F. Erdman.
The honorary members are: Charles
W. Gale, F. W. Lester, George A
Kies, w F. Habekotte, Frank L. Far
rell, H. L. Warrington, E. P. Rose, Her
bert 7. Miller and there is an associate
membership list which numbers 1S5.