The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-16
Features Yesterday Were Community Singing in the Park and Negro Choir
 Last Night
CROWDS THRILLED BY
 MELODIOUS STRAINS FROM NEGRO SINGERS
Business Sessions This Morning, Re- ception This Afternoon and Con cert Tonight, the Features.
 Invitation to Reception

Ho Dlonnldl or the Nd- tional Federation of Music clubs formally opens tonight at 8:15 o'clock at the Jeffer- son. With the arrival yes- terday of large numbers of delegates and visitors from all parts of the state and south and the preliminary programmes of Sunday and patriotic music, Birming- ham is in tune for the great est musical event in her his- tory.
 The first days events of the tenth biennial convention of music clubs of American yesterday were very ap- propriately arranged for the enjoy ment of the general public.
 Visiting artists appeared in most of the larger churches of the city at the morning and evening services and immense congregations welcomed the musicians on each occasion.
 At Capitol park during the after noon, Birmingham had its first ex- perience with great community sing ing and the start was highly auspi- cious for greater things in future. The park was packed with people who were interested and eager to take part in the singing. Thousands and thousands of people were assembled and the afternoon was ideal from a weather standpoint.
 The singing was conducted by Tai Esen Morgan of New York, assisted by Robert Lawrence of Birmingham. Songs of the most popular nature were selected so that all could take part Among them were America" "On- ward Christian Soldiers" "The Star Spangled Banner" Dixie" My Old Kentucky Home and Way Down on the Suwanee River"
 SECOND REGIMENT BAND
 The Second Regiment band, Alabama National Guard assisted iii carrying the airs though on frequent occasions MT. Morgan would ask those present to sing verses without the accom- paniment of the band.
 Mir. Lawrence aroused great ap-
 plause by announcing that begin
 ming June 1 there would be com-
 munity singing at Capitol park
 every Sunday afternoon during
 the summer. He stated that stands
 were to be built and seating ar-
 engagements provided so that those
 taking part each week could be
 perfectly comfortable.
 But probably the most unique
 and most interesting feature of
 the day was the sacred concert
 given last night at the Sixteenth
 Street Baptist church. colOred, by
 the regular choir of this church.
 This is one of the largest church buildings in the city and it was lit erally packed and hundreds were turned away, unable to get inside The entire lower floor of the church had been reserved for white visitors, while the regular members of the congrega- tion occupied the balconies. Special seats had been provided for visiting delegates to the biennial and they showed unmistakably their apprecia- tion of the singing. Indeed, the en- tire audience consisting of the most representative people of Birmingham was delighted with the singing.
 ALL JOIN IN JUBILEE SONG
 The choir gave some sacred numbers and led in the jubilee singing. When they came to the jubilees the pastor, the Rev. A. c. Williams. asked those in the balconies to Join in and the white friends of the race on the floor below heard some congregational sing ing to which more than likely they are entirely unaccustomed.
 The pastor himself was one of the soloists of the evening. and his song, "rhe Good Shepherd by Van deWater made such a favorable impression that he was urged to sing another num- Der at the conclusion of the regular programme. Before the concert began he offered a prayer which touched the hearts of everyone present by it's fer vent patriotism and his plea that the Lord ''throw His strongest arm around our great President in this mo mentous hour"
 Following the organ voluntary, an anthem, Remember Now Thy Creator" and the prayer the first of the jubilee
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