Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-06-21
CHORUS SRETURNSA ALL
AGLOW WITHDRAW
Festival of the Bells" on Satur-
day Night. in Jersey Town Was
Thrilling Spectacle"

With radiant memories Of the Festival
Of BELLS" in which the Wilmington Com
munitv Chorus participated on Saturday
night at Orange Park, New Jersey, the
hundred or more members who made the
Journey are back in town tins morning or
will return later in the day.
The occasion was an uncqulvocal suc-
cess from every point Of Wow. The usual
"Rarnhart luck attended 10 the weather
part Of the program. the day and evening
having been the one bright spot sandwich
cd in between others of rain and cold
The scene Of the pageant was vel
vetY lawn of about twwo acres IN extent,
surrounded hv trees Against those as
background was erected n set Of rising
seats. surmounted by series oi arched
openings in each Of which appearned the
outline Of hell. that in the center arch
being tho largest. some SIX feet IN diameter
and height, and guided e. slmula,e hell
metal. Electric flood lights on either side
Of the singers seats gave brilliant cross
illumination. rs seen from the front, and
search lights were located directly IN
front. and also concealed behind tho
singers, throwing concentrlc shafts OF
light vertically
The singers, who included over 100
from Wilmington on. about the same mum
her from Plainfcld. the balance, forming
a combined choir estimated at nearly one
thousand voices, coming from the Orange
Community Chorus, marched through tho
assembled audience to the strains of n
band Of fiftv musicians, directed by Fred
Watson. and took their places on the
platform The food lights flashed on
as Leader Barnhart came to the front
and flashed his famous Orange necktie
on the assemhlaee, which greeted him
heartily,
After q half-iozen community songs,
by chorus and audience the band ren
dered several instrumental selections, and
Miss Mildred Graham. soprano, sang
With great effect, tho 'lnhammatus
number from the Rossinl cantata, and
in response 10 an encore, the last Rose
Of Summer
FANTASTIC FMRELlIsHNENT
The symbolic side of the pageant was
then presented; all lights were lowered and
after moment $ interval tho search light
from directly m front showed Eternal
Wisdom, rersonihed hv RAYMOND 81
Perkins. standing alongside the central
hell. on which he struck seven measured
hammer strokes. which were answered Al
similar intervals from distant parts 81 the
mark The effectiveness of the whole
made instant appeal IL the audience. who
applauded enthusiastically
The singing OF the HOLY CITY chorls-
cs. with Incidental solo, These Arc Thcy
IN Miss Graham. followed with q iSach
choralc a. the finale, and the Taps t'>
rrImpctcr { apodafcvro as tho farewell
echo
That tho sudltors were impressed was
evidenced hv thor comments as they
wendcd their way homcVard as wci| as
hv their close attention during the two
hours covered hv the program. most Of
them standing throughout Their number
was estimated at over fifteen thousand,
drawn from all tho Oranges rs well as
nelghhoring suburbs ~ least five hum
dred automobiles were parked along the
roads
HOSTS WE'RE HOSPITAnLF
The hospitality extended by the mem
bers Of the Orange chorus 10 the vii
mington visitors was of the heartIcSt
sort. making them feel thoroughly wei
come, and notably demonstrating the cs-
sentsal vitality al the community idea
/ which underhes Harry BarnhaTts : work.
1t will be the subject of an echo meet
ing Of the chorus al the High School to-
morrow evening, as now planned
The local delegation made hit on the
tram with their banner, brassards and
hats of the chorus colors, purple and gold
which was continued along the route oi
the special trolley car from the Newark
station 10 the Carnegie Library IN East
/ Orange where they ahghtcd and were taken
to their destinations by automobiles
The party met again at 10 80 yesterday
morning at the library and then dispersed
some. gong on to visit friends al nearby
points, Others making trolley trips through
the surrounding country and returning e
this city at their convenience.
Altogether, II was a memorable ex'
I perience for all who participated