The Bismarck tribune., 1931-12-21
BISMARCK churches
FEATURE CHRISTMAS
! music IN PROGRAMS
The Messiah, Given BY Local
0ratorio Society, Proves
Impressive
A definite indication of Bismarck )

A definite indication Of Bismarck )
musical growth was the presentation
on Friday and Sunday evenings Of
the Christmas oratorio. The Mes
sial1," by the local oratorio societj
for they proved conclusively that this
observance has passed through the
trial stage and will becon1e q part OF
the annual holiday festivities.
Bismarck may ROW. take its place
among those cities where the present.
alton Of Haendel's world-kncwn CONF
position Is . traditional Christmas
program.
Chorus work in both concerts was
outstanding. Solos were handled with
sympathy and feeling and the fact
practically all the solo parts were
sung by local talent made the pro-
duction at once community affair
and an entertainment In which the
city can take pride.
Mrs. liver Ackcr, soprano soloist fol
both evenings, gave especially faith
full interpretations Of the recitativcs
which feature the first part Of the
oratorio. Her final solo, Il Know
That My Redeemer Liveth" was
characterized by excellent tone -shad-
ings and control.
Miss Tollefson Sings
Miss Maude Tollefson, contraltc
soloist, an experienced oratorio sing
er, added distinction to the program
with her splendid landings of the
arias and recitatives. On Sunday
night this part was sung by Miss
Grace Livahl.
Daniel Preston. Moorhead. as the
tenor soloist, carried the heavier part
Of the mems solos with that depth 0l
feeling which only seasoned ora
torio singer can manage. MIR. Preston
director of the music department 81
the Moorhead state teachers college
heads the list OF honorary members
of the local oratorio society. and
came here especially for the Friday
concert. His place was taken on Sun
day evening by Rudolph Ofstedal ot
Valley City, who gave q finished per-
formance.
Myron II. Anderson and Lorenzo H.
Belk, who had the baritone and bass
solo parts, respectively, were excel
lent.
Orchestra Was Missed
Soloists and choruSes alike could
have given a much more finished pro-
ductioh had they been adequately sup
ported by the orchestra Friday night
and their work in spite Of this hand
leap entities them to the highest
cosnmendation. Piano and organ ac-
compartment only was used for the
Sunday concert.
Bismarck people can, beyond .
doubt, look forward to many more
concerts by this group Of sixty or
more singers who have so willingly
given of their time and talent. With
continued interest In the society sew
eral oratorios can be given through
out the year. New members, however,
are needed, and Bismarck. with Its
score or more of exceptional singers
could have a musical organization Sec
ond to none In a town Of its size.
Impressive services In which special
Christmas music was featured also
were held In the Presbyterian. Metho-
dist, and First Evangelical churches
Sunday evening.
The pageantry Of biblical times was
recalled at the Presbyterian White
Gift Christmas Service In which 28
members of the Tuxis society present
ed the Guiding Star" = nativity
pageant.
Illuminated by Candles
The Methodist church. Illuminated
by the light , Of flickering candles,
formed colorful setting for a vested
choir as impressive Christmas music
was sung. Mrs. w. Targart and w.
r. Bishof were solists.
Candelabra containing Christmas
candles served as the only illumina-
ton for the Evangelical choir who
presented the cantata, THE Music Of
Bethlehem" at vesper services. Spe-
cial musical numbers appropriate to
the occasion were incorporated into
the service.
Mr.. and Mrs. O. n. Ncrdland, 3l4
lfcnnttnlIAA IN ra0A sevenl