Evening journal., 1918-12-11
HOPE FOR GREATER
INTEREST IN sings
Barnhart Suggests Th a t
Great Organization be Built
Around Church Choirs
SONG FESTIVAL
ON NEW YEARS EVE

The sing last night was more OF q
community affair than 1t has been since
the outdoor season. The hiSh ochooi
auditorium was well-nlled to the graf
incation OF Harry Barnhart the leader
and Of the executive committee. Ihere
will be sing next Tuesday, but no
sing will be held the following week
when Tuesday night Is Christmas Eve
There will, however. be a special Com
munity Sing on New Years Eve, the
. Tuesday after Christmas.
MIR. Barnhart voiced his extreme re-
great that there would be no commu-
nitv Christmas tree, but the executive
committee has not found II practicable
10 arrange for one.
Prospects are good for the refresh
ment accompaniment TO the sings after
Christmas. Mrs. Irving Warner, ohalr-
man OF the committee TO work out this
new feature, reported last night that
96 women had volunteered 20 fry the
doughnuts FOR the sing Immediately
after the Idea was proposed, ana SIX
more women have volunteered since
then. Therefore a plentiful supply Oh
cooks Is assured. The finely equipped
donestie science rooms at the hlsh
school which have been offered TO the
Community Chorus by the Board Oh
prbIio Education. will make the serV-
ice of doughnuts and coffee an easy
matter. With everyone occupied win
Christmas activities, no refreshments
viii accompany the sings nhul ai'er
Christmas.
Mr.. Barnhart expressed his surprise
at tho idea that had gotten abroad IN
Wilmington that he was planning 70
travel with band and chorus through
the West Mr.. Barnhart would Ike 10
make a western trip with his accom-
panist. Fred Watson, to establish COM
munity Choruses in a number OF oities'
which would necessitate his taking
leave of absence from all his eastern
chorlses. The matter has only Deeh
spoken OF tentatively, and no definite
action In regard 10 his leave OF absence
has been taken.
The executive committee made
financial report for the year. inc eA-
nenses since the establishment OF the
chorus last February nave amounted 70
nearly $1,000. or this amount $500 mas
heen received through the c0llectloh
baskets. into which members nave
d-opped voluntary offerings at theI
sings. Friends OF the chorus nave 90
mated the remainder OF the expenses, In
amounts varying from 50 60 5000.
The chorus now has sufficient iuhus On
hand TO see them through DecemDer'
but further arrangements viii have 10
be made at the beginning OF the year.
Mr.. Barnhart asked that the chorus
try earnestly 10 make the sing more
of a community affair, as II was our
ing the summer, when from four TO ten
thousand persons attended.
A friend az the chorus, who takes an
active interest In is welfare. has sug-
gesled that the committee gather all
the church ch0irs OF the city as a
nucleus. and also add to the executive
committee choir directors and repre-
sentatives from Harlan's, the Pennsyl-
vania railroad organizations and other
large concerns which include a great
deal of vocal talent OF high order. In
this way. he suggests, all people In the
CITY would be reached and feel more
as II the chorus belonged TO them.
Harold Keats, OF Washington, ID. o.
who is In tho city In the interests OF
welfare work, spoke TO the chorus last
night. He said there was tremendous
interest in community sings in WASH
ington, where as many as Si sings were
held in one week, In all quarters OF the
city. He attended one last Saturday
where thero were 5000 persons present.
Mr.. Keats said he did not think VII
mington APPRECIATED what the sings
meant to a city, nor their privilege In
having Mr.. Barnharb founder and
fathes OF tho community chorus, as
their leader. He hoped the sings would
increase In interest.