The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-04-30
Musical Event viii Be
Third May Festival
Evan Williams To Be Heard
Both In Artists Recital
And In OratoriO Work

The beginning of the musical ef-
forts of the Festival Association were
relatively humble in comparison with
what is to be attempted this year both
in programs and performance. The
May Festivals have now become of
more than local Importance and ad-
vance to the front rank of musical
productions. This is evidenced by the
interest being manifested by the lead
ing musical journals of the country
and the musicians of neighboring c-
ties. The atmosphere of Mt. Vernon is
musical. 1t has always had musical
pride and ambition and now it has
musical traditions and prestige.
The Mt. Vernon May Festivals have
been inspired and modelled after those
of Cincinnati, which are acknowledged
to be the most notable in the world.
With this high example in mind the Of
ficers OF the Festival Association start
ed out this year with the avowed pur-
pose of making this festival surpass,
in standard and perfection, all that
have preceded it How we'll they have
succeeded the elaborate programs and
personnel which will be published lat
er will indicate.
In studying the Cincinnati festival
| it was found that their most powerful
and scintillating attraction was the
children's chorus. So popular was it
in fact that the police had to club the
/ people away from the doors til open
! ing time,( and then fill the building
with officers to keep them from crowd.
ing in filling up the aisles, and sitting
down in them. There is only one
thing that will prevent a similar oc-
currence in Mt. Vernon and that Is the
fact that most of the people are not
familiar with the remarkable charms
and fascination of large highly
trained children's chorus.
This year the entire first concert
will be given over to the children's
chorus with Miss Saba Doak, beauti
full and gifted Chicago soprano, as
soloist She has but recently returned
from Europe and has won the unequiv
ocal endorsement of the musicians o.
the middle west. The childrens chor
us in Cincinnati last year numbered
500 and in comparison with the size
of the cities our chorus of 300 picked
and carefully trained voices is remark
able.
Other Cincinnati thunder which /
chas been thought fit to borrow is thei
artists. Evan Williams was SOLOS
at both the 1910 and 1914 festivals al
pearing with such artists as Amat'
and Schumann-Heink Charles W
Clark. noted baritone for the Mt. Ve'
non festival, also appeared at two Cir
cinnati festivals singing with Withel
spoon and Gadski H. Warren Whit
ney, tenor soloist for the Creation
has the distinction of having appeare
three times with the Cleveland Hal
monic Club exactly the same as Eva
| WlllldHlS, tHuS. piO'hiS nio PoP"i"i ~
Mrs. Forest Crowley, contralto,
an eastern artist now in Columbu
where she is attaining great popular
ty.
| Mrs. Wilbur T. Mills, organist {
| note, needs no introduction to M
| Vernon people having appeared at a
| previous festivals with highest honor
| The adult chorus Of 125 voice undt
Mr.. VIM. M. Coup, as director, is doir
the most remarkable work Of its C
reer. Three years continuous trainir
have accomplished wonders and Il
| coming festival will give ample oppo
tunity to add new laurels to those {
! ready won.