The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1916-03-25
FIRST FOLK SONG FESTIVAL.
BIG Musical Event In Washington
Conducted by Mime. Hackley.

BIG musical Event In washington
Conducted by Nine. Haekley.
Washington.-Mme. E. Azalia Hack
ley's latest triumph was the training
and direction Of Washington's first
folk song festival recently given in
this city. So cordially was this truly
American music received 1t has been
decided to make the folk song festival
an annual event, and arrangements
have already been entered into by
which Nine. Hackley is to return at a
future date to cheer anew the souls of
the many friends she has made during
her recent visits.
Spacious Metropolitan A. NJ. q.
church was packed to the doors with
q throng of music lovers anxious to
hear the folk song festival. the first
Of its kind ever held in this city. The
affair was under the general supervi-
sion of the Bethel Literary and His
torical association and was planned
and executed by the society's far VI
stoned and ever original president,
Miss Marie A. D. Madre. Cultured
Washington turned out en- masse.
The chorus of nearly 200 voices was
trained by Nine. Hackley in just eight
days Of hard and strenuous work. but
1t is the popular verdict that had she
trained them eight weeks the result
could not have been more satisfactory.
In point Of harmony, volume and
artistic Interpretation the singing was
never excelled on any similar occasion
In the nations capital. and the eminent
principal of the Hackley Vocal Nor
NAL institute Of Chicago is deserving of
the highest commendation for her
splendid work.
Gathered from the various chOirs
and standard musical organizations of
the vicinity. this remarkable aggrega-
tion typified the high water mark of
Negro achievement in the arena of folk
song presentation. The degree of per-
fection attained by them with the lim-
tied time allowed for rehearsal stamps
the singers as geniuses for music and
establishes Nine. Hackley as one of
the leaders Of the times as a teacher
and director.
a distinctive feature of the festival
was the appearance Of Professor j.
Rosamond johnson of New York. now
executive officer of the Music Settle.
ment school Of that city and known to
the country at large as the junior
member Of the once famous theatrical
team Of Cole and johnson. who LOOM
Of musical comedy and Negro charac-
ter study. The world will never for
get "The Red Moon" and '"The Shoo-
fly Regiment" Cole and Johnson's
greatest feat in stage land. Mr.. John
son received an ovation when intro
duced by Miss Madre. He rendered
two of his favorite selections, LII
GAR words by Paul Laurence Dun
BARI, and his popular success, Under
the Bamboo Tree" besides cOntribut-
ing a speech that was, the last word
in felicity of expression and good fel-
lowship.
He paid lofty tribute to the un-
selfish labors Of Nine. Hackley for the
musical uplift Of the Negro people and
confessed that she had given him the
inspiration that led him to embark, in
the same line Of effort, and to found
in New York the Music Settlement
school, where there is an open door
to the ambitious youth Of the race,
just as exists at Nine. Hackley's thriv-
ing Normal institute in Chicago A
chorus Of students from the NJ street
high school. led by Miss Mary L. Eu-
rope. rendered with fine effect Mr..
Johnson's original production South
land" which has been highly praised
by music lovers Of both races every
| where.
The credit for the very enjoyable en-
tertainment and for inaugurating an
annual event that promises much for
] the music lovers of the race is due In
the largest measure to the energetic
and painstaking efforts Of Miss Marie
A. d. Madre. who In her five years OF
unprecedented success as president Of
the nation wide forum. Bethel Lit
erary and Historical association. has
been foremost among her people in
affording Washington the opportunity
of seeing and appreciating the best
thought and artistic endeavor among
the Negroes Of the country.
Her platform has also been graced
by some of the ablest and most infiu-
entail Of the white statesmen and in
tellectual leaders Of the world. In
addition to her laudable labOrs as
chieftain of the Bethel Literary socie-
ty, Miss Madre is the official head Of
the Women's federation Of the Dis
trict, is an efficient teacher In the pub
lie schools. graduate Of the law de-
/ partment Of Howard university and
an active factor iR the WOman's Re
lief corps Of the department of the
Potomac. auxiliary to the q. A. X. 1t
is understood that Miss Madre re-
tires from the chair Of Bethel at the
close Of the current year In May. She
has set pace that will try the mettle
Of any one who may succeed her.