Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-09-26
INTERESTING LETEER
Miss Sloan Writes Interesting
Account of National Music
Conference Held In New
York.

Miss Sue Sloan, of Johnston, was
appointed a delegate to represent
South Carolina at the National Con
ference on Community Music open
ing in the Hotel Astor, New York
City, May 81, 1917.
The following is charming ac-
count of Miss Sloan's visit to this
conference.
Il will attempt to give some idea
of the most wonderful National
Music Convention ever held in the
United States, in New York City,
under the auspices of the New York
Community Chorus, Harry Barn
hart, director.
The opening was in the Hotel
Astor, where an immense throng
was present, among them the Mayor
and many distinguished citizens Of
New York, who made eloquent ad-
dresses of welcome.
The Mayor said it would be i'm
possible 10 make so many intro!
ductions, so each guest wore badge
designating the state they represent
ed and as every one present was
interested in the subject of the
progress of Music, and needed not
to wait for a special introduction,
that they should speak to any one
from any state in which they were
most interested, and many friends
could be made among those present.
The Mayor also said that he
desired it to be an informal affair.
Some came to me and said they
had spent the winters In Aiken, S.
c., and were charmed to meet one
from the state containing the town
so noted and loved by many in the
North.
I enjoyed recalling many ex-
periences in Cornell University, 80
the time was spent in social convers.
alton.
At one O'Clock we were invited
into the palm room, which really
was in beauty, beyond description.
The room was enclosed in glass
which resembled an immense con-
servatory of flowers with tall,
natural palms relieving the glare.
Over special windows were marble
boxes containing dropping, graceful
maiden hair or delicate fern which
flowed before the windows as ma
ture's curtain, mildly blown to and
fro by the refreshing Northern
breeze.
Overhead was festooned with
natural ferns, which made the most
attractive decoration.
The tables were round, so arrang-
ed to leave long aisles between, and
on each table was tall cut glass
vase'containiLg cut flowers in red,
white and blue, which perfumed the
air with fragrance. On each table
was also silver stand which held a
conspicuous card on which was the
number of the table.
The guests were SO arranged that
they filed in, coming systematic
ally to the assigned table as if by
military training. Being musical
they kept perfect time with a
patriotic march rendered by the
orchestra.
The guests arrayed in handsome
attire, made an attractive procession.
As four stood at each table, they
presented beautiful tableaux.
After an appropriate prayer by a
distinguished divine, the guests were
seated and the first course was
served. The orchestra played a
patriotic air and chorus from an
alcove song the first verse, or verses
until this course had been served,
when all with the greatest enthusl-
asm Joined in the chorus.
During this time, preparations
were made and the tables arranged
for the next course. This was re-
peated until quite an elaborate menu
had been served. 1t was indeed
thrilling to hear the guests from the
North, East, South and West united
in singing Dixie. We made the
welkin ring.
The procession then marched out
to the strains of another patriotic
march, and all filed into the re-
ception rooms, parlors, halls, and
balconys and there had social con-
versation, and all were reluctant to
say adien.
The second day, an interesting
morning session was held, and six
o'clock dinner was served in honor
of Harry Barnhart, who is director
E Ns,,o;+,, Muoio on i1ea which