Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-07
MANY TAKEPART
IN" VICTORY SING"
Huge Demonstration on e.
Iipse This Afternoon in CeIe-
bration of World Peace.

The greatest number of human
voices ever assembled in the District
of Columbia, accompanied by the
Marine Band and directed by one
head leader and half score assistant
leaders. Joined this afternoon in a
program of American and allied
songs and anthems in celebration of
world peace .and victorious democ-
racy.
1t was expected that between $4,000
and 100000 persons, the majority of
them government employees dismissed
early for the purpose, would assemble
on the Ellipse south of the Executive
Mansion and participate in this event
which had been arranged by. the War
Camp Community Service, and is Of
ficially designated as national song
festival" and generally referred to
as a victory sing
Clerks Excused at 9 O'Clock.
The personnel of most of the gov
ernmental departments. bureaus and
other agencies were allowed to leave
their posts for the day shortly after
2 o'clock. and their number on the
Ellipse will be sWelled by thousands
of other residents of the District and
by men in uniform who wish to add
their voices to the chorus.
Mounted on a central platform j.
Edward Bowler, the community
services song leader. is officiating as
central director. Scattered over the
EllipSe at points of vantage are ten
supplementary stands from which as
sistant leaders are synchroniZing the
musical efforts of the departmental
groups of which each platform is the
central rallying point. The Marine
Band occupies the principal stand.
Special Feature of Program.
A special feature to be enjoyed by
the assemblage is the appearance of
a big chorus from Howard University,
which will render THE Spirit of Vic
tory written for this particular oc-
casion by Hamlin Z. Cogswell, direc-
tor of music in the public schools of
the District. This chorus numbers
500.
). Spectacular features include the
formation by a number of sailors of
human lanes connecting the stations
OF the subleaders with the platform
occupied by Mr.. Bowler and the
bandsmen. These lanes were arranged
somewhat like the spokes of a great
wheel. At a low altitude an Army
airplane will circle over the assem-
blage from which photographers will
take moving pictures for the commit
tee on public information and for
commercial concerns.
Program of Song.
The program of song begins with
Nh.a
will follow The Marseillase," Co
lumbia, the Gem of the Ocean" and
when Johnny Comes Marching
Home" The crowd will sing Pack
Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit
Bag, Hate to Get Up in the Morn
Trail and Keep the Home Fires
Burning
Next Will come the special chorus
from Howard University.
The final numbers will be a series
OF American songs. such as odd
kentucky Home" Dixie etc
The ten assistant leaders are: Mr.
Cogswell, Gilbert Wilson. song leader
at Quantico; Charles w. Woolsey, Bal
tlmore, song leader; Lieut.. De Winnie,
commission on training camp activi-
ties; Peter Dykema, singing director
Edgar Priest, cathedral choir; Z. p.
Schumuker, r. w. Hills, w. C. Brad
ford, New York community singing
service, and Otto Simon, Washington
choral conductor.
Celebrates Britannia Day.
Although not scheduled for any con-
nection Herewith, people are pointing
out the happy coincidence of this first
big formal celebration with the ma
tional holiday of our Anglo-S Saxon
cousins, designated as britannia
day." and observed joyfully today
throughout England, Scotland and
Wales. A transatlantic nationwide
reflection of this celebration has been
arranged by patriotic societies for
both today and tomorrow. at which
tribute will be paid to abe men and
women of Britain for their part in the
world war. The local observance of
this day, called over here "Britain's
day." is, however, set largely for to-
morrow.
Perhaps never again will Washing
ton witness SO large a gathering of
this character, because thousands of
war workers, soldiers and sailors in
the near future will have returned to
their homes.