Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1918-09-13
THE ORCHESTRA CLOSES ITS
SEASON WITHOUT A DEFICIT

in which the expenses have been COM
pletely met. Mr.. Tatem in his little
speech made mention Of the fact that
all the bands and oIchestras Of the
summer resorts felt very much encour-
aged if they met expenses; that a GER
tain band at a popular resort in seven
teen years was nov only able to break
even. He reported a small balance
necessary to meet current obligations
for this year and in the collection
which was taken this was met, and
thus the season closes with all bills
paid.
Secondly, 1 want especially to COM
mend Mr.. Pfeiffer for his great i'm
provement in his enthusiasm, as shown
towards his audiences. Formerly, we
have had digniied performances of the
great music, which we all hear so
much of during the winters, and hence
a little Of the lighter music in the sum-
mer time when we all seek recreation,
has been a great help. Mr.. Pfeiffer
has built splendid programmes, which,
while never mediocre, have been
such as appeal to all music lovers
who love music for itself and not for
its special faddishness. We have had
q series of performances that have been
great and none the less popular. VALID
teufel waltzes always charm, as we'll as
those of the great waltz king, Strauss;
and rarely have we had an afternoon
without one of these delightful genre
pieces. The fantasies from various OPP
eras have given us the gems of the diff
ferent operas and we've enjoyed them.
And above all, while not on the set
programmes we have had a succession
Of encore pieces that have always been
dainty and beautiful. 1t Is in a large
measure due to this combination that
we have had the increased ~attendances
at the concerts. Then too, Mr.. Pfeiffer
has shown himself a conductor of merit
In the Liberty sings, and next season
l trust these Liberty sings will begin
promptly at the opening Of the season
and kept up. Also the verve and
delight of the audiences in singing the
new wal songs have been such as to in
dictate that we should have more Of the
new songs for another season. Not
that some OF the old war songs Of the
civil war do not deserve a place, but
each cycle Of years requires its W
songs. In August, when we had the
newer songs, the pleasure of the aud
fences in singing them vas evident.
One thing 1 should like to see an
other season and that is one or two
pianists given a place on the programs
in some of the concertos by List OF
Chopin, or other well known COM
posers. This might be done for the
Saturday night performances, if the
Sunday evening performances are
to be held open for the singers.
This is about the only branch of music
that has been neglected this year, and
1 recommend 1t to the music commit
ice lOI buclI COu5lucIhtlOu.
So we have come TO the end of this
seasons music with regret. The top
of the season was actually reached in
the concert given under the auspices of
the Women's Civic club On Thursday
evening, September 9Th, when the aud
itorium was packed to listen to the
concert by Mrs. Hotz, Mrs. Langston,
Mr.. Pontius and Mr.. Hotz. And TO
say that every one was delighted was
small praise. Mrs. Hotz as usual en-
Unused her hearers, as she has one of
the most beautiful voices Oh the con-
cert platform, wonderfully trained,
wonderfully sweet and wonderfully
placed. Each note is sung perfectly
As for Mrs. Langston she has appeared
In Wildwood before and her splendid
contralto is always a delight.
Mr.. Hotz is q magnetic basso; while
not large in body, his voice is big and
he sings with authority and precision.
1 have reserved Mr.. Pontius until the
last, as earlier in the season when he
saug for US, he evidently was not in
good voice and his work was somewhat
ragged. This time he redeemed him
self, and gave full measure of voice,
beautiful in quality and resonance,
carrying to all parts of the auditorium
very clearly. / am glad to record this
success for him.
And all praise to the women of the
Civic club who had the nerve to under
take this concert, to be given after the
crowds were supposed to have left on
Labor Day. But it shows the spirit Of
the women of the war and as the pro-
ceeds were for a magnificent cause, L
am glad the house was crowded. These
women deserve encouragement In every
way, not only from a money stand
point, for the work they are doing for