Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-04-27

th"t'f 'iS. VI. =. boNnS Is nluttC
Playhouse.
(Allcn's National News Bureau, Q
West 131st StrecD
NEW YORK. April S.-What will
doubtless he the browning musical
event OF the colorcd people of this
city viii be the concert and musicale
mat Will be given at Carnegie Hall
on May 20. by the choir Of the 81
mark NJ. f.. Church, under the d.
rcction of its Conductor. T., \.
Jackson. who is one of tho most noted
OF Negro conductors in the country.
Ihc appearance of the choir at
Carnegie Hall. which is one Of the
most exclusive auditoriums Of this
city, is creating wide interest in mus
zeal circles, and the event will be
attended by some Of the leading
musicians of both races in this citv
who have become Interested in the
work Of the choir as Il musical Or
EanlHation. The choir will appear
III rcpotoirc of songs and selections
taken from the masters, and which
VIII give the public fine opportunity
10 see the work the choir is doing.
The choir, under the leadership OF
one OF the most famous in the country
and it would be hard to find n
better trained body Of singers than
what make up tn musical organi-
cation. When Mr.. jackson took
charge Of the singers the choir had
only twenty voices, but he immcd-
iately began reorganization of the
work until today the choir consists
or eighty voices. which makes it one
Oh the largest chOirs of the country
Before each OF the members were
paced III the choir, he made q test
OF their voices. and those found TO
DC without vocal training, he placed
under his instruction, after which
lneN were assigned a place in the
choir. He then realized that n choir
should have trained quartet, consist
ing OF the very best voices, for the
purpose of doing the heavy solo work
az Lno choir, and as the result he
organized n salaricd quartet, made
up or the leading singers Of the race
III this country. The quartet is com
posed of Miss Minnie Brown, who is
one OF the most gifted singers OF the
country, Mrs. NJ. lGaines. Oscar
waters and George w. Taylor. who
are TWO well trained singers. capable
W. "'ih0 HchNN WORK.
A'lcr the choir was thoroughly re-
oFSahl]cd he began rigid system OF
'chearaIhE which has rounded the
'" 9'"'"a' 'oh INTO great singing
choruS. Tie then began the study of
me hcaVy oratorios and the choir has
presented with eminent success wrll
known works like, "Thc Farmers
Ma&S,' StaabA, Mater, Mcssiah oud
{'rnn1 hnr |,
OF Negro FOLK Songs, many of them
rcArran&od by the leader.
The Choir is the FIRST NEGRO sino;nu
CHORUS TO render with success heavy
works like Creation, and Tho wnri,
'a'l inc cholf has done in this ui-
rccilon has attracted The attention o1
prominent musicians Ike Damrosch,
VINO states That the Choir is one Of The
pest organized in the country.
One OF the textures OF the choir,
winch Mr.. jackson has introduced is
the ira ming "Ciool, which meets
every Wednesday evening, when the
m"lnbor5 are drilled in sight reading
and Interpretation as wen as TO Give
the members the conditions which
drew ont the origin OF musical com
positions. The choir has appeared
TO fine advantage i'm this city, and
us annual concerts are looked unon
as the most notable musical events
touching the colorcd life OF this ETY..
Thc success that the choir has
attained is fine tribute to the musi~
clanShlp and genius OF Prof. jackson.
VINO mas been force in tho musical
NE or TINS city. He was born in
inns city and after being educated
IN the pubic schools he attended The
New York Institute OF Musical Art,
from Wh'ch he graduated with high
honorS. Since his graduation he has
conducted a studio in this city and
was formerly chorister at the ST,
Paul and Union Baptist Churches.
Mr.. jackson, in addition to his
teaching and conducting. has done
much as composer, and his arrange
mcnts Of the two Negro folk songs,
Go Down Moses and "Don't Weary
Traveller" are placed among his best
works.
Visitors to this city will do well
to attend st. Marks NJ. T.. Church,
which IS located in West Fifty-third
street and hear this famous choir in
high repotoire Of songs. The st
Marks Choir is a fine organization of
carefully picked singers.
TusScgcc Association Honors
Late Booker II. Washington.
The Tuskegee Association recently
oganiZcd and made up of graduates
and former students of Tuskegee
living in this city held memorial ser
vices in honor OF the late Booker r..
Washington last Friday evening, in
connection with Founders Day.
which marked the thirty-third ami
Versary Of the school last Friday.
tEhn sinn