The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-28
CAP PAC|TY CROWD ENJOYS PROGRAMME AT COMMUNITY SING
Philharmonic Offering We'll Received-T. c. I. Chorus a Feature-Young Con-
 ductOr Makes Hit

Overflow crowds at the community sings" at the Bijou have been the rule, but the people who sought ad mission yesterday afternoon far out mum bered those of any previous gath ering. The Bijou capacity is about 2200. When the doors closed it was estimated that fully 5000 eager souls were shut out. The crowd in the street was so great that it required a po- liceman or two to handle the con- gestion.
 The programme was one of the most varied and pleasing of the season. Community Director Robert Lawrence is always in good form when 1t comes to community leadership, but he seemed to surpass himself on this oc- casion in zest and playful humor.
 The Philharmonic orchestra, Philip Memoli. conductor rendered four num- bers and distinguished himself in each of them. The William Tell" overture standard in the matter of perform ance. The Andante from Goldmark's Rural Wedding Symphony''-"In the G2rden"-was heard for the first time in Birmingham. It is very beautiful and was beautifully interpreted. The next orchestral number was an (a) and (b) Twilight" and .'Serenade" by Gesek, a new composer. The serenade was dainty and poetic and the com ranion piece was singularly rich in tone color.
 PHILHARMONIC OFFERINGS
 Home. Sweet Home, the World Ovor' was the last of the Phnhar- monic offerings and was much en- joyed. It is reasonable to say that the orchestra never received more cordial applause than it did yesterday. In the immense audience there were many discriminating music lovers and these could not fail to remark the improve ment in the playing of the men under Mir. Mcmoli.
 A fine feature of yesterdays con- cert was the appearance of the T. c. I. chorus-35 strong-under the direc- tion of stephen Allsop. They sang two numbers-the first '"rhe Martyrs of the Arena work of high artistic merit by Laurena De Rille. The singers were exceptionally good in their attack and they heightened the musicianly ef- feet by their refined phrasing. For an encore the chorus sang "Keep the Home Fires Burning" The second T. c. II number was ssvalient War r!ors" and 1t, like the other choruses, was enthusiastically received.
 HILL FERGUSON, JR.
 Hill Ferguson made a genuine hit in his patriotic solo, Our United States" He was in excellent voice. MT. Ferguson was down on the pro- gramme as the mysterious singer" and his identity naturally provoked applause. He introduced hss 4-year-old son, Hill. Jr., sturiy end handsome chap. and affer sne father had told about the child's iovA fof community music and hin apsAtude in r.ayinE d. rector at Shca0s tnsued ae little fel- low over to Mr- lawrence. who an- nouncsa hily az His new assistant. ten4es- all the sings" and had cav4xt MH l4awrence's gestures to a l7scety With his baton he beat time ylsyt ically as he led the singers in s5y Country, Iris of Thee" and other songs for everybody. No professional conductor could have been more self possessed He went at his work seri- ously. to the amusement of the au- dience.
 COLORED CONTINGENT
 Among the community songs was My Old Kentucky Home and 1t was exceptionally well sung. After the downstairs singers had gone over 1t several times MT. Lawrence called upon the colored contingent in the gal sponded joyously. They never sang