The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-01-20
CHORAL UNION
At WATERFOWL
HUGE CROWD HEARS PRESENTA.
TON OF 1.-THE MESSIAH" BY
LOCALS FRIDAY NIGHT
TRIP ALSO A SUCCESS FINANCIALLY
In Spite of Heavy Expense Over $1,000
Made by Organiation-Plans Being
Made for Next Fall

"One of the warmest welcomes tina
has ever been accorded any entertain
ment in that city" tells the story of the
initial trip of the State College Chora
Union, which organization presented
The Messiah at Watertown last Fri
day night. A decided hit was made by
the local organization in Codirgtor
county's metropolis and about 100
Watertown residents heard Handles
sacred oratorio.
Financially the trip was also a sue
cess. A special train, advertising, etc.
brought the expenses around 100000
but the huge greeting extended by
Watertown netted the organi alton
over $1,000. Already plans are being
made for a more extended trip, about
the first of November, when botl
Watertown and Aberdeen will be
visited.
Met by Watertown Band
obCII O"h . ullpoullUSu iOull tcy
was shown when the regimental band
of that city met the special train and
escorted the Union to the Methodist
church. The special left Brookings
shortly after one o'clock Friday after
noon, carrying around 40 people
Stops were made at every station along
the line and passengers taken on al
each.
Friday afternoon was spent in re
hearsal in the M. E. church at Water
town and supper was served by the
ladies of the church in the dining room
below. Regarding the concert the
Watertown Public Opinion says:
Most Warm Welcome
The State College Choral Union and
Symphony Orchestra was given one OF
the warmest welcomes in WATERFOWL
last evening, when they presented
The Messiah" at the Methodist church
that has ever been accorded an enter
tainment in this city. Last evening
was the first time this famous oratorio
by Handel has been given in Water
town. It's success, aside from the
efforts of the singers and players them.
selves, was due to the large capacity
available in the new Methodist church
auditorium. Every seat On the main
Honr Df tho ,,Iitnriun, opd in tho hn1
cony was taken and people were
accommodated with extra chairs in the
aisles, while some even remained
standing all evening.
The main floor of the auditorium
was well filled long b,fore the time
for the opening number and at times
the crowd entering, extended beyond
the outer door of the church, despite
the fact that a large corps of ushers
worked rapidly in getting people seat.
ed. Over 500 heard "The Messiah"
Although the largest part of the au.
dience was composed of WATERFOWL
people, hundreds came in on trains
yesterday from nearby towns to attend
The special train, which brought the
State College chorus and orchestra,
stopped at ali intervening points and
many people arrived on it at 8 o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
The chorus was seated on a large
temporarily constructed platform and
in the regular choir loft of the church,
The orchestra vas stationed just in
front of the platform. Approximately
$50 singers were in the chorus. Prompt,
ly at 8:15 o'clock, the opening number,
Comfort Ye My People," a tenor solo,
by Garrett Hedge, vas sung.
Three Hours Taken.
For nearly three hours, the presenta'
ton of the wonderful airs and choruses
of one of the most wonderful of sacred
compositions held the rapt attention
of the audience. That the musical
ability of the college chorus and es.
pecially of the ~soloists was a pleasur.
able surprise to the most critical music
lovers in the audience, was evidenced
by the many expressions heard in con
v~ersation as the crowd left the church
after the entertainment. "The Mes
siah" is undeniably one of the most
difficult compositions to present, and
the entire success which attended its
delivery here, Is evidence of much ma.
tural musical ability, combined with
the most careful training on the part
of the chorus and soloists in the col.
lege chorus.
The masterpiece was directed by
Garrett Hedge. who also took the tenor
airs. The remarkably effective chorus