Evening journal., 1918-04-24
COMMUNITY CHlRUS
HAS Great NIGHT
Director Barnhart Finds
Splendid Musical Talent
in Wilmington Audience
AFTERNOON SINGS
FOR CHILDREN

The Wilmington Community Chorus
came mighty near doing some real
singing last night under the energetic
leadership Of Harry Barnhart. They
progressed by stages from 'Drink to
Ne Only with Thine Eyes" through
Pack up Your Troubles" and "Lons,
Long the Trail" 30 the Hoffman "Baro-
arolle." the anthem. "Send Out Thy
Light" ''The Blue Danube Waltz" and
finally the "Hallelujah Chorus" II
anyone wants to know whether the
choruses are well attended, let him or
her wander out Co the High School any
Tuesday nighl about quarter past eight,
the sing begins at 8, and try TO get
even standing ROOM Downstairs he
will find the doors at rear and sides
blocked with sianders. and when DE
ascends hopefully TO the gallery, the
same condition awaits him there. For
some reason, perhaps because it feels
FAR away, The gallery SENS shy about
singing. al last. it was a very gentle
light, one-candle power that went out
from the gallery last night during the
anthem. However, they more than
made mp in volume downstairs.
The singing aspirant should not get
any idea that a Community Chorus is
a place TO take music easily. From s
o'clock until half past 10 last night Mr.
Barnhart had the assembly on its toes
working like troopers The best OF a.
was that they enjoyed every moment OF
It immensely, and hated to have the
evening come TO an end. Mr. Barnhart
keeps the patriotic view before the
chorus. He. told them last night not TO
have the idea that they were just sing
ing for their own entertainment. He
said they were doing It 90 draw all peo-
pie together In true democracy and that
song was the best instrument toward
this end. Also, he said, they were to
sing 90 keep up their spirits 90 the de-
sirable optimism and cheerfulness that
should nm the hearts OF "a great people
warning for the n0blest cause that had
ever been fought for Ia connection
with this thought Mr. Barnhsrt told a
touching incident. on the train Go New
York the other day, he said. he offered
his seat 90 little woman, who told him
she had just been 90 Camp Meade, Nd.
from her distant home In Richmond,
Va. 90 visit her soldier son. When
she reached the camp she found her boy
had started for "0ver there" J Just sat
down and had q good cry, and then
felt better" said the little woman, who
has another son already In France. Then
she smiled up at Mr.. Barnhart and
added But ! am going 90 live beyond
an that I'm not going 10 let the war
down me- The leader recommended
her spirit TO Americans in general.
II there is one thing that Mr.. Barn
hart cannot stand it IS mechanical sing
ing. He wants people 90 mean what
they say. and TO be emphatic about IL.
when you sing, The Lord God Omni-
potent Reigneth,' please be respectfully
enthusiastic about it, he demanded last
night When the audience started on
the Blue Danube Waltz as II it were
a march. Mr.. Barnhart executed a few
dance steps 20 give them an idea, and
they responded with more buoyancy.
Mr.. Barnhart has asked children not
90 come TO the Community Sings, as the
room is needed FOR adults. He said last
night that be would gladly come TO the
afternoons Co give special sings for the
children, II tnis were desired. Here
after. the FIRST seats will be given 20
those who have registered as members
Of the Community Chorus. at the Tues
day evening sings.
The High school took advantage of
the sing TO do some energetic Liberty
Loan work. Clifford Greeman and John
Go0ding made three-minute speeches
from the platform, on behalf Of the
Loan, and were busy getting subscrip-
tions at the close Of the Sing