Evening journal., 1918-05-15
community Chorus
IN Inspiring SONGS
Director Barnhart Greatly
Pleased With Last Nights
Rehearsal
PLEASED AUDIENCE
BY HIS FINE SOLO

Harry Barnhart favored the Com
munity Chorus with a solo, kplings
"Recesslonal," last night 1t was sung
with all the deep richness Of his pow
erful voice and with heartfelt emo
ton that touched a responsive chord
among his auditors. After storm OF
applause that lasted several minutes had
quieted down, Mr.. Barnhart told me
chorus that his own son sailed for
France last week, deepening In his mind
the necessity OF helping America to keep
UP a cheerfully brave spirit during the
war. He said they sent the boys away
from Camp Devens with a smile, they
wouldn't let them go any other way.
Mr.. Barnhart said that he felt more
strongly each week he came TO VIII
mington the important place the chorus
was going to have during the war, and
urged that IL be continued with faith
fulness through the summer.
The leader appeared In civilian
clothes last night, to the evident per-
plexity OF the chorus, and he finally ex-
plalned why He said, that II being
necessary TO send his one and only uni
form to the cleaner, he had TO wear
civilian garb or stay in bed. He thought
one uniform would be sufficient, but
the war has lastdl longer than l ex-
pected" he explained jocularly.
After the preliminary songs TO tune
I'D the orchestra" as Mr.. Barnhard
calls It. the chorus gave their attention
10 songs for the coming outdoor con
cert, TO be given in a park early II
June.
Inspired by Mr.. Barnhart's solo, thu
chorus sang with an energy and ar
tistic expression that surprised them
selves and delighted Mr.. Barnhart, WHIT
gave them a number OF encouraging
compliments. The originality OF hi
criticisms kept the singers in goo'
humor, as when they sang too loud.
he warned them not TO give too mucl
for the money There were many choi
directors present, and they were evi
IDENTIFY picking up many suggestions.
sweet and Low" and the "Barca
role" went famously last night, ant
the chorus patted itself on the bacl
right happily. Mr.. Barnhart called u
several OF the audience to the platform
to hear what a fine effect the singin
made. Imagine asking Wilmingto
audience last year TO sing the hleu
nat which cornets always play at tn
end Of "The Star Spangled Banner.
They took it without a gasp last nigh
judging by Mr.. Barnharts remark tins
Il was the best he had ever heard IN
national anthem sung, the Wilmingto
chorus need not take a back seat Il
New York on that particular song. =
the chorus left the building, peop
were exclaiming TO each other on ever
hand that they never expected to he'
such singing by Wilmington.
Mrs. Victor Pyle took the solo part
the rehearsal OF the "Inflammatus." 81
IS a favorite with Wilmington aud
ences. and was heartily applauded. N
Barnhart made the announcement tn
he may bring an architect friend fro
New York to the next sing, to hear no
fine an article Wilmington puts up, al
incidentally to give a brief exhibition
color photography slides, made by
famous new process.
The announcement was made that CO
lections taken up at the sings, TO pl
the expenses OF them. had amounted
about s45 each night. There are no
about 925 members enrolled in the Cor
munity Chorus.