Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-12-30
Civic Festival Chorus Scores in
Musical Circles Before Au-
'dience That Packed First
Methodist Church.
EUGENE FARMER DIRECTOR
Salt Lake Soloists Add Strength
to Musical Number-Chorus
Electrifies Audience Re-
peated Tonight.
BY MRS. ]. G. GREEN.

Music loving Boise was again
thrilled and profoundly stirred by the
successful rendition OF Handeis d.
vine oratorio, The Messiah" when the
Civic Festival chorus of Boise pre-
sented II Monday evening to perhaps
the, largest audience which has ever
filled the First Methodist church on
an occasion of this kind. Even stand
lng room was scarcely available, and
aithough MIR. Farmer stated that the
efIort 10 get the oratorio in readiness
was quite impromptu, the listener
found it most satisfactory and
earnest Interpretation OF the greas
composers work.
SPLENDID SUCCESS.
1t was a splendid success from first
to last and while 1t was all good, the
chorus work quite electrified the au-
dience. The spirit of the majestic pro-
duction had entered the hearts of the
singers and their voices were lifted
with courage born Of the beauty of
the music, and the grandeur OF the
theme 1t was certainly the best chorus
work local talent has offered us, as
yet. The soloists We're very warmly
received and their singing was delight
full
OPEN WITH "AMERlcA."
Upon their entrance they were ac-
corded glowing welcome, a compli-
ment which was later extended TO
Conductor Eugene Farmer when he ap-
peared The singing of America" and
stanza of THE Star Spangled Ban
nor" by the entire assemblage was a
surprisingly good bit of work. SO
good, In fact, as to elicit from Conduc-
tor Farmer warm words OF praise,
Mrs. Sanders took the place Of the So
prano soloist, Miss Summerhays, who
was i'll Miss Becky Almond and Miss
Dirks were at the piano and Ethel
Moul Elan at the organ. Two new mu-
sftians, Raymond Pittenger and
Mrs. Ernst, were Introduced to the
audience by Conductor Farmer before
the opening of the evenings entertain
ment. The other names on the pro-
gram We're: Evelyn Buehler, contralto;
Fred G. Graham, tenor, and p. Melvin
Peterson, baritone. In the place Of
Miss Margaret Summerhays, who was
i'll, Mrs. Sanders appeared.
BIG ORCHESTRA.
The orchestra was composed of Mr..
Raymond Pittenger. concert master;
Mrs. Ernst, Miss Sensenig, Miss Eek
hardt, Messrs.S Church, Jeffres, Fell
strom, Richards, Wagner, Bruce, Gross
man and Kirkpatrick, and its work was
of high order commensurate with the
heavy demands of the subject.
The Pastoral Symphony by the
orchestra was delightful. or the sew
eral choruses, "Hallelujah" seemed to
please the audience most. The offer
ings of the soloists also seemed to
find much favor, tribute to their tai
ent which was richly deserved.
Many who came to hear had TO leave
because there were not enough seats.
A request was made that those who at
tended Thy, first night do not attend
tthis) evening so there may
be room for others who could not at
tend Monday evening. The setting of
palms. ferns and flowers and the light
pretty gowns of the women gave the
artistic effect necessary to the eye.
PEOPLE APPRECiATlvE.
There can remain no doubt in any
ones mind that the people of Boise
are fond of music. One of the greatest
factors in civilization, it should be en-
couraged in every locality. The
heartiest support should be accorded
every effort of the musicians to raise
the standard OF the art of harmony.
Conductor Farmer is to be congratu-
lated upon the success of his under
taking.
AS musical appreciation advances in
Boise 1t Is planned to revive the idea
of music festival in the spring, with
the motif Light on the Mountains"
This will be one of the great move
inents which come in the cultural de-
of a commonwealth.
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