Milford chronicle., 1931-05-08
Field Work Of The
Id. Cauk Company
MUSIC FOR ALL
Students Sing And Ray.
mOnd Shannon Stars
During Music Week

Music for all, for old and young
for large and small, for those who
love music and those who do not
That is the purpose of this great
Music Week in Delaware. The new
State Department of Music in Dover
is a pioneer in the movement to in
terest young people in singing. I'm
der the direction of Mr.. and Mrs.
Glenn Gildersleeve, high school
glee clubs from all over the State
have met in different places to prac-
tice for a great concert during Mu-
sic Week from May first to the ninth.
Then they secured Raymond Shan
non, baritone, to support them and
to furnish variety. He does; and in
such a fashion that the audience is
held spellbound in their seats,
mouths open, eyes popping.
Mr.. Shannon comes from New
York City where he is a vocal tea
cher and a choral director. At the
same time he keeps studying and
five years ago he was out west do
ing that. He has taught at Colum-
bia University, and has coached
plays. He has studied dramatics as
his perfect gestures show. He does
his own makeup. And he says it's
a great life" His program is uni
que and is an outside interest which
aids very much the student part OF
the program.
The background of his costumes
is a screen designed by Edgar Bohl-
man, who first attained fame by de-
signing the scenes for the play,
"Porgy." The screen is miniature
stage with footlights and u back that
changes with the singers charac-
terizations. Sometimes Mr.. Shannon
is an Arab, a son of the desert;
again he is a gypsy; another time he
may be sailor; clown; colored
man. His gestures are striking,
colorful, and never once does he for
get to act the part he is playing. |
When he is sailor, he swaggers on |
and off the stage; and when a darky |
he walks with bent knees and shoul- |
ders, hobbling slowly along. During |
Music Week he and Mr.. GildersleeVe |
are giving twenty concerts in num-
DCl VI BAdNCO AAhC DOfCtg J1lllOA VI
Seaford, LeWes, Georgetown, Mills
boro, Laurel, DUPONT School, Clay
mont, Smyrna, Harrington and Fell
ton. Mr.. Shannon has tried these
in private schools, clubs,
salons, public schools, before all
kinds of adult audiences and he finds
hat they have universal appeal even
% those who are not music lovers.
Upon being asked an interesting eX-
1erience he and Mr.. Gildersleeve
oined forces by saying that an in
eresting experience was being in
by young ladies while
taking off makeup. To-
sether they kept this up until the in
erviewer was forced to retreat
hough not exactly defeated.
The program for the concerts Civ
N in these different towns is as
ollows: Thanksgiving Prayer, Lul-
ably and song of the Volga Boat
nan by the entire chorus. Then
omes "VodVil," a lyrical satire and
n imitation of vaudeville show by
lr. Shannon who by his actions and
words soon makes
he audience warm up to him. When
he Boys Chorus sings "AIy Hearts
n the Highlands" Down in Mo- ;
ile," and 1--WE Meet Again Tonight !
ioys." Mr.. Shannon comes next as !
ailor with the tang of the sea for
is theme. The Girls Chorus gives
Gho Is Sylvia, and Would That My !
ove.. Again comes Mr.. Shannon in
he most enjoyable part of his pro-
ram the imitation of a negro. The Z
lst part of the program consists of :
m a Shepherd Born to Sorrow with !.
onder Morgan, bass, in the solo !
art; the Dancers, and Go Down !
loses as a grand finale with Mr.. !
hannon, the colored Mr. Shannon, n
nging the solo and the chorus re- v
All this is ably accompan- II
d by Mrs. Gildersleeve. There has :
robably never been a more inter Ii
iting program in Milford at any D
me than this, and those who were
very unfortunate as to miss it g
ay some time have another oppor- II
nifty. When the all State Chorus S
mes again to Milford with Mr.. Il
lannon and his performing, may W
| the city be there to see him and n
,plaud and to sing in their hearts a
Ith the young people. Il
Alice Breme v