Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21
TUESDAY.

N
NN coming week from the mammoth
music halls of this city to in
dulge in voice tones and Christ
mas turkey. music. supposedly in q lethargic
state, is actually far from that. The churches
at the moment are filed with activity, musical
y rs well as cratorically. Their choruses,
swollen in their ranks to super proportions are
rehearsing not only the usual Christmas carols,
but some very unusual, dif1scult and worth
while compositions. reserved for the more par
ticular days of fete.
Among the Christmas activities attracting
more than casual attention is the performance
of Handel's Messiah" which is being done
Tuesday night ct the Central High School
Auditorium. Under the direction Of Kurt Het-
eel, chorus Of almost 500 voices many Of
them recruits Of the chorus that sang with the
Passion Play" have been rehearsing. Whether
rehearsals to the number Of seven win be SUI
hcient schooling for such o grandiose scheme
remains to be seen. At any rate, the object
ahead is well worth while, Mr.. Hetzel feeling
that the Messiah" should be undertaken in
every city throughout the land, wherever tt Is
possible his chorus, called the washington
Chorus" may thus be seen and heard this
Tuesday evening on the stage OF Central High
Schools Auditorium.
While Mr.. Hetsels chorus is rehearsing away
Of the Ascension Is doing likewise, and large
10 the throng expected ct that church to hear
the results Christmas eve At the same time,
the next most popular Christmas music Selec-
ton chosen by ecclesiastic groups seems to be
Havley's "The Christ Child" which no less
than three churches ere Undertaking
at the same time that churches are devOting
themselves % me musical spirit oe Christ
mas, the little Hymphony Orchestra b re-
hearsing steadily and almnst daily, It would
seem, ct the Jewish Community Center. This
concert, which b to be given Sunday evening.
January 10. ID attracting the attentions Of taae
unmusical as wen Is the musical.
Although the program has rs yet not been
announced, according 30 . worthy rumor very
fne things are transphtng behind closed doors
and q splendid roster Of eoloists Is being hus-
tied into the ranks 10 make the concert one
of the big things O6 the year. For the benefit
Of the unemployed being major charity In
these chilly moments It would seem Is II, Per.
haps, the hall that 10 TO be used may not be
large enough 70 accommodate the crowds that
are already tramptng around IN quest Of tickets.
Leon Das1od conductor Of this recently banded
aggregation, Is said to be in q state Of great
excitement, since, with the evident crumbling
and collapse Of last years Washington SYM
something that the city WIN want after time
to cali its own.
PARTICULARLY gratifying was It 10 hear
the results OF the Atwater Kent national
auditor last Sunday night. The contestants.
who had been presented to some Of the musical
brethren at q dinner ct the Mayflower the
Wednesday before, seemed young and eager and
full Of musical ambition. The winner. Carol
Deis, who halls from Dayton, Ohio, besides hAv-
ing q most ingratiating personality, forebcded
success In the mere manner of her speech. She
talked about her musical dreams and accom-
plishments and about her work as q stenog-
rapter, to which she planned 70 return II
things didn't turn out well rs she hoped.
Her greatest ambit3on-aS was the case with
many Of the other feminine agpirants-was 70
sing like Rosa POnselle, who seems to be the
most popular Of the singing idols. Other than
that, and the fact that she was worried ct the
heavy. supply Of coaoraturas who were Compel
ing against her, she was calm and collected as
the most hardened diva.
The story Of the second winner among the
girls reads like . book. Mary Cortner. a, grad
usting last Summer from college and asked 10
be n teacher Of music in q local college, wired
her family that she thought she would take q
try ct the contest more or less for q lark.
Epurred on by the cheers Of her local teacher
who incidentally accompanied her In her Sum
days program with considerable verve, she won
the local contest won the state contest and,
somewhat dazed by her success perhaps, came
very near to being the national winner. Her
voice, not so wen trained as that Of AEiss Deis.
rs very pleasing. and one predicts that much
win be heard about This young lady before the
sands Of time have run tnemselvUs much fur
t1er. sz 4 terser.
An Of which Is 10 sAy that the Interest shown
n this worth-wiaiie scheme q M. Kents hAs
reached vhenmMemaa pEup0ta0w.