The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-09-06

stories of indianapolis women who have
accomplished something in life by their
own initiative end ambition.
BY BEATRICE BURGAN
Times womans Page Editor
WHEN a woman is faced with
w sudden grief, what does she
do? Hide herself away to nurse
her sorrow in solitary despair, or
visibly lose her calm and faith
in life? Sometimes yes. but as
suredly not in the case Of Mrs.
James M Ogden, wife Of former
Attorney General James M. Og-
den.
She sought solace in an under
taking which has grown to nation
ally known proportions. Her Og-
Den Junior Chorale is an express
sion of her courageous effort to
bear the tragic death Of an only
son. 1t also exemplifies her
paramount interest as a woman
of talent and ambition.
Mrs. Ogden became a wife with
an urgent desire to devote herself
to her family. Personal musical
career she realized would demand
too much of the energy and time
she wished to direct toward her
husband and her children.
So she concentrated her musical
inclinations on the instruction Of
the neighborhood children who
sang carols at the Christmas
season.
1t was in October, 1921, that
Mrs. Ogden's son, James Jr., was
injured fatally while on an Grand
for her. In November Of that year,
the Ogden Junior chorale was Or
ganiZed in memory Of her son.
The children met at the William
A. Bell school, Thirty-third and
Pennsylvania streets, where lhe
chorale still practices on Saturday
mornings during the school term.
They drew up constitution,
elected officers, and decided on an
incentive They would accumulate
all donations and form a trust
fund to be used in some way for
the James Whitcomb Riley hos
pital for children.
THE group began its practice.
Il Mrs. Ogden told them the
story of carols. She taught them
the century-old carols, quantity
worded and set to music of medi-
eval origin. On Christmas eve
they sang at the windows of shut
in friends.
Mrs. Ogden had eased her heart
ache and gladdened the hearts
of several little children.
The chorale earned national
recognition when the Easter SUM-
rise services on the steps Of Mon
ument circle became a tradition in
Indianapolis. Similar services are
held in the Hollywood bowl and in
the New York Times square, but
probably neither surpass the wor-
shipful spirit of presentation, an
attitude consciously instilled by
Mrs. ogden.
<AA4AluCt14Ns AACLCllClo 11Oltl
apolis and neighboring towns laud
the beauty and sanctity of the
services and describe them as awe
some and inspiring. Hundreds
stand in the streets, often cold
and damp. and are warmed by
the awakening of spiritual
thoughts.
1t is the spirit back Of the
chorale which is responsible for
success of the project. That spirit
is Mrs. Ogden'S.
4 T the beginning of Lent, the
n choristers start their train
ing, which opens with Mrs. o.
den's supplication that each day
they do something for the Easter
services
1T may be only a thought of
it" explains Mrs. Ogden. but let
it be in your heart and mind
every day" Each practice of the
chorale is not merely a rehearsal,
for it has spiritual atmosphere,
and instructors of the several
church choruses who join the
Easter worship of song follow this
idea Of Mrs. Ogden.
Mrs. Ogden is busiest just be-
fore the Easter ceremony. All
utilities, materials and equip
ment for the service are donated,
but she never takes anything for
granted. She visits individuals
annually to seek their co-opera-
ton. Last year thirty organiza-
tons gave their services to make
the event the most successful in
the Chorale's history.
Dr. Joshua Stansfield came
back from California TO give the
invocation. The personnel num-
bered 600. with choruses from
various churches. guest soloists
and instrumentalists joining the
thirty-SiX members of the chorale.
Miss Charlene Buchanan again
placed the lilies on the cross, a
homage she annually performs.
THE personnel changes, but
Il many come back after they
return from college" pointed out
Mrs. Ogden. Miss Jeanette
Harris. a charter member. after
graduation from Smith college.
has been pianist for the last three
years. One Of our boys, Billy
Shirley. went to Hollywood TO APP
pear in motion pictures. He's back
with us again while here for a
rest"
Traditionally the Chorale sings