Evening journal., 1919-10-01
1000 VOICES TO
SING "MESSIAH"
Bsrnhart to Train Com
nuniiy Chorus tor Great
Christmas Oratorio
SING WAS HLED IN
"GYM" LAST NIGHT

The 1eXbility Of the Wilmington
Community Chorus received a new test
l-last night Accustomed 10 singing In
greenwood parks. on marble steps. in
hotel lobbies.' theatres and auditoriums,
the chorus gracefully accepted another
change. when il was requested 10 eXer-
else its vocal chords in The High school
gymnasium last evening The regisira-
ton Of classes for The foreign-born was
held I'm the High school auditorium
The chorus applauded the prospective
citizens for their patriotic endeavors
While a few ch0rusites came near reg
istering for English instead Of music,
and several OF The f0reign-born were
started aNenter.ng a hail an nlled with
ropes and rings, matters were soon ad-
iusied comfortably with the aid of the
chorus ushers, The school ianitors, and
several hundred chairs.
Harry Barnhardt, aided and abetled
by Fred Watson at the piano, put the
chorus voices over octave jumps,
through the swing OF march-time and
climbing up scales, with agility. The
crowd overflowcd the gym The
compactness Of the seating led to an
extremely fine effect musically. Next
Tuesday the sing will be held in the
High School auditorium.
From afar, like silVery chimes, came
the call Of the glad Christmastide to
the chorus last night. and the singers
responded with carols. ancient and
modern. Christmas will occupy much
Of the thoughts Of the chorus from now
on. All members are enthusiastically
working TO make the performance OF
Handels Messiah by a thousand
voices, in a great, free, popular concert,
at Christmas time, one Of the most
memorable events ever given in VIII
mington.
Mr.. Barnhart gave an explanatory
talk and synopsis OF the great Christ
mas OraiOriO al the sing last night, with
piano Illustrations by Mr.. Watson. He
sang the aria, Comfort Ne, My PeO-
pie" 90 the delight of the chorus. The
present idea is 20 make the concert a
beautiful stage spectacle as well as an
Impressive musical performance. Light
ing effects and possibly tableauX may
be employed. However, the details
have not yet been discussed by the
chorus. Mr.. Barnhart suggested several
ideas, as intimated, from Christmas
concert plans of community chOruses
I'm other places. The concert Will be
better than the spring festival, which
was such a popular success. II VIII
be the Christmas gift Of the Community
Chorus TO the city, for everybody, With
out cost
While. members are fast being added
10 the ranks, the chorus has well
come for many others. They viii be
made to feel at home and will enjoy
taking part in the concert. No vocal
qualifications are necessary. Those VINO
do not feel themselves to be singers are
welcome. There are quite a number In
the chorus who do not feel ready TO do
more than hum The tune. Most Of
these gain courage after a few weeks
OF attendance and sing just as well
as their neighbors.
The Messiah" rehearsals viii mol
take up the entire time at any sing. The
program will be varied and interest
ing. Last night the chorus rehearsed
the "Halleluiah Chorus from The Mes
siah": the Christmas anthem. Joy,
Brothers. JOY" and the carol, NOVEL; ~
In these and other songs from the brown
song book, Mr.. Barnhart gave the
chorus careful and valuable training.
After this training the beauty and sig
nincance Of the songs was in marvel
Gus contrast TO the llfeless tunes put
forth by the chorus at the first singing.
This course in music appreciation under
Mr.. Barnhart is giving the chorus mem
bers a new world 30 enjoy In music.
At the conclusion Of the sing Mr..
Barnhart spoke feelingly Of the loss the
chorus has sustained in the
death Of Alfred Coverdale. lie said Mr..
Coverdale would be greatly missed, the
chorus had lost a true friend. Follow
ing the leaders tribute the chorus
stood with bowed heads for a brief
time. in memory Of Mr.. Coverdale The
memorial concluded with the singing OF
Nearer My God To Thee, as the chorus
never has sung that beautiful hymn
before.