Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-21

n
soon TO leave Omaha to make
their home In Chicago came
kAIl&1Yt as a surprise to Omaha's mus
- ical colony, although many Of
their friends have wondered that they
nave not been tempted to a larger field
before this. For many years they have
occupied leading poslrions in Omaha's
musical life. in pedagogical. recital and
church work as we'll as in their con-
noction with the Mendelssohn choir They
win be greatly missed. for Mrs Kelly
with her artistic singing and Nr. Kelly
in his many musical activities have
exerted a strong influence for the highest
class OF music in our community Mir.
and Mrs. Kelly have devoted much of
their hime to recital programs and
for these and Mr.. Kelly's lecture
recitals there is naturally greater oppor-
tunity in a larger place. Those who
have heard Mr. Kelly's lecture rccitals
from time 10 time, either separately or
in series. know Of the great amount Of
enjoyment and knowledge they contain.
Mr.. Kelly Is deep thinker and an
excellent talker, and these lectures
written from, his keenly individual view
point and based upon thorough famil-
iararity not only with the art of music
but with the art of using the English
language as well, are never pedantic.
hut sparkle with wit and apt illustra-
tion, and hold the interest throughout.
The musical illustrations which are so
often a part, and in which he is so ably
assisted by Mrs Kelly never fail 20
arouse enthusiasm and delight. At the
various times when these recitals have
been given in Omaha, they have never
failed to attract large audiences, who
were unanimous in their praise.
It has been the writer's privilege to
attend several of them and though many
other lectures have been heard between
times, Mr.. Kelly's lectures are always
30 full Of meat and the points driven
home so cleverly that they have been
remembered where others were forgotten.
This was especially true of the series
given under the Tuesday Morning Must
cal club some time ago when the spacious
Joslyn home was filled to capacity by
interested listeners.
There Is no doubt but that there will
be q demand for these lectures in our
larger sister city and their gain will be
Omaha's loss But Omaha cannot afford
TO lose the Kellys. and. more than all
else, II cannot afford to lose the Men
delssohn choir, which Mr.. Kelly organ
lied and has conducted for several years.
Although this body Of singers is made
up Of the same kind of people that other
choral bodies contain in other cities, It
is a recognized musical fact, attested
TO by musical visitors like Frederick
Stock. Arthur Gibson and others. that
under Mr.. Kellys baton they have given
performances which far eclipse the vast
majority of choral organizations found
anywhere If the Kellys would de-
eide to spend a short season here
each year, possibly this could be
continued by adopting the plan of
rehearsal used by the Mendelssohn
choir in Toronto. There the different sec
tons meet different nights of the week
and thoroughly work over their parts
before general rehearsals. 1t makes more
Fehearsals covering a shorter period of
time. but in three or four months the
choir could be prepared to give concerts
with or without orchestra. In this way
we could keep string upon the Kellys
and at the same time lock forward to
future public performances OF such choral
music as have awakened unstinted praise
from press public and those keenly dis
eliminating musicians, who make up the
personnel OF the Chicago Symphony or
rhestra