The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-12-11

! ever had, into existence. When it
was first suggested there were those
who did not believe either the talent
was here or that sufficient interest
could Da aroused to make such a Choir
US possible. But Dean WiIiJehouse.
determined otherwise and ID him
largely is due the success that has
been achieved
And there was another: Scott Hop
kins, banker and progressive citizen
No TOpekan has been SO generous IL
Musical Art society from the time or
its inception. Mi. Hopkins, 4 great
lover CT good music himself. was en-
thusiaSUic over the first effort OF the
chorus, when it presented The Mes
Siah'' a year ago, ana was one OF the
influential patrons from the first. lie
at once saw the worth of perpetual
ing the chorus as permanent lnStl-
tuition and was one OF the original
supporters of that effort Accordingly
ne was elected president OF the So
ciety and is still serving. lie mas
given IaVIShly OF his time and liDeralIy
of his money and but Tor the valuable
financial AID he has given, some Of
the society's biggest undertakings
could not have been made
other Officers OF the society VINO
have done much work in promoting
its growth and permanency are Inli
Eastman, the publicity man. VINO
has handled all the publicity and au-
vertislng of the various entertain
mentS y.iVen, and has assisted Dean
Whitehuuse in looking after many of
the arrangement details. MI East
man is the business manager OF the
society, also, ana he and Mr.. " mite
house and MIR. Hopkins work out the
plans OF the chorus and the enter
tainments to be given.
Other officers who have rendered
valuable aid in their respective posi-
lions are: A. L. Van Antwerp, treas
urer; sheriff. Smith, secretary, and
II. j. Jungk, librarian.
Board of Directors.
The board of directors is composed
of Mrs. Z. ) Gleed, Mrs. J. y Rowles,
Miss Jennie Blinn, w. w. Bowman,
David bowie, e. l.. Copeland and y. Il.
Hunt.
the society has had the encourage
ment OF a large number of other IA
dies and gentlemen of the city VINO
have purchased private boxes at each
entertainment given.
Just the first presentation OF
The Messiah" was a most agreeable
TO the people of Topeka, I'M
covering to them a fine amount OF
talent that hitherto had had
no opportunity of development, so the
last presentation brought another sur
prise, in demonstrating the fact that
Topeka has solo talent of an eXcep- |
tionally high order, and that is quite |
as capable of singing the heavy solo !
parts of such oratorio pieces as The
NJ eSsiah'' as artists who are imported |
mere at heaNy expense anu Will AeP0-
tations based upon no more real merit |
than the home singer. Reference is
made to the success of Miss Emma |
Rempfer, head of the art music de-
partment at Washburn college, who |
sang the principal contralto part !
Thursday night and was unqueston-
ably the most satisfactory one of the
four chief soloistS. Miss Rempfer
singing was the feature of the presen-
-ation and she delighted the large au-
n Tor On q
in terms of the highest praise of her
singing, Iikening her voice to that of
Julia Culp, the famous contralto, and
predicting that with more experience
,ontralto of very great power and
achieve fame.
Home Talent Next Time.
Miss Rempfer's success was graft
wing event to Topeka music lovers
md it has encouraged Dean White-
house to believe the time will come
quickly when such an entertainment
IAN be given with exclusively Topeka
,oices. 1t is his intention the next
ime to use home talent in SO far as
possible and he believes that this will
1ring a still more hearty encourage
nent to the efforts of his society.
Ultimately Topeka will become IA
nous as a city of musical culture and
hat is the end toward which Dean
Vhitehouse and his associates are
working.
In such an ambition they are en-
tiled to and no doubt will receive the
support necessary to accomplish their
.nds. Rome was not built in a day
md a noted lecturer once said it takes
hundred years to make a gentleman,
md so it takes time to make a city
,reat in an artistic sense. Only in
he last few years has America be-
run to produce grand opera singers of
he first rank-but Topeka has the
alent to justify the efforts of the
Musical Art society and final success
will come.