Evening star., 1915-07-15
idea Is Prevalent in New York
I State and Everybody
Hk Joins In.
ENTIRE POPULATION
/ IS INVITED TO SING
Convention May Be Held in 1916
at Which ALI Societies
Will Gather.

NOW community chorus welcoming
all the people, has set whole cities ex-
toilfng the advantages of that locality
giving expression to emotions coupled
with Joy of service. is told by Miss
Aida baltimore. writing exclusively
.or the Survey Press Service.
This is an organization whose pur-
pose is to investigate the facts of liv-
ing and working conditions, and to
promote efforts for social advance
Miss baltimore points to the example
of Rochester and other towns and
cities in New York, and tells how their
song-fests have entertained all the
people and predicts that through the
inspiration of such expressive festivals
our national spirit will find itself and
be voiced in music composed by our
own people" Her article follows:
What do you thing of the community
chorus?" I asked of the narrow-chest-
ed girl who was giving me the finish
ing touches of a shampoo.
'Oh, love it, she replied. IT'S such
fun"
Her voice was so vibrant with JOY
that I glanced at the mirror before me
and saw in the girls face such trans
fguration may be wrought in thou
sands of our people-rich and poor
tunity for emotional expression coupled
with passion for service.
Everybody Can Sing.
There have been many community
choruses Cthere is no patent on the
name). from the old-time singing
school to the peoples choruses of many
times and places. but the community
chorus of Rochester, N. V, goes a step
beyond them in democracy of organiza-
tion. since it is founded on the idea
that any large group of people can
sing, and sing we'll.
Because of a belief in the close rela-
tion between the healthy expression Of
emotion and the prosperity of com
munity, a small body of idealists. only
two of whom were musicians, met at
the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery,
early in 1914, to discuss ways and
means for crowning the citys material
advance with some form of artistic ex-
preston.
was a trained singer, Harry Barnhart.
Since he had had wide experience in
producing a high order of musical art,
IL was decided to ask him and his fam
lily to make Rochester their home and
to help bring to pass the dreams OF
these idealists.
Mr.. Barnhart, deliberately forsaking
the life and aims of the musical art
ist" entered enthusiastically into the
work of launching community chorus
with the permission of the mayor he
appeared upon the platform at Sun
day band concert that spring and, dur
ing the intermission. the huge audience
astonished itself by joining it's many
voices in song.
The idea took root at once that just
anybody could sing. And when the
people were asked to become charter
members of a chorus thirty-eight so
signified their intention to Sing for
Rochester" They sang so marvelously
we'll that In a short time the member
ship ran into the hundreds. The direct
or was paid no salary. there were no
dues and no trying of voices. If YOU
wished to have a happy time singing
with a group of people doing the same
thing. why you just put your name
own your own music you could buy il
at q low price and take il home.
First songfest.
The first public appearance of the
community chorus in Rochester was in
the spring of last year. after two
months of weekly rehearsals. The con-
cert was free. but. the day being fine
and the outside attractions many. the
audience was small. But did the $50
singers careo Not they. They loved to
sing. and sing they did. with wonderful
attack. enunciation and artistic ex-
preston. AS was printed on the pro-
grams. the object of the chorus was
The development of the spirit of song
and good fellowship and to place Roch-
ester in the lead among cities in civic
singing"
Following close upon its first concert
the chorus started on a series of out
door songs-each a festival-with all