Evening star., 1934-12-23

A T THAT period the chapel of the Smith
sonian Institution was a favorite place
for holding public school concerts. and another
undated clipping tells us of one held there
some time after the Civil War and this one
is especially apropos since little damseI
sang piece entitled Il Love the Trees" ETC.,
probably meaning the trees in the Smithsonian
grounds. The write-up follows:
Public School Concert.-The concert
of vocal music given by the pupils of the
First, Second and Fourth Female Grammar
Schools of this city last evening at the Smith
sonian Institution was a perfect success. The
large lecture room of that building was filed
to its utmost capacity and by a highly re-
spectacle audience, among whom were some
of the wealthieSt and most influential citizens
The exercises were under the direction of Prof.
Daniels. The proceeds of the concert will be
used for the purchase of pianos for the schools.
The concert was sustained by about 40 misses,
who were neatly attired, and occupied prom
inent place on the lecture room stage.
~The program comprised "a pieces, in
cluding operate, comic, sentimental and pa
thetic pieces, and sung in solo, duet quartet
and chorus. We can only say that the con-
cert throughout was pleasing to all and the
amateur singers acquitted themselves remarka-
bly, well The solos and chorus, I Love the
Trees, the Brooks, the Flowers, was well
rendered. The solo part by Miss Robie de-
veloped the fact that she has a voice of no
ordinary character. The solo, Dear Mother
I Have Come Home to Die by Miss Bell
Robie, sister of the above, abundantly proved
that good voices and taste for music are
inherent IN the Robe family. Miss Bell is a
promising young lady.
Miss Fannie Lemon sang the Banner of
the Free and the Volunteer Call to Arms
with credit. but the piece that brought down
the house for its humor and eccentricity was
tha ro,,,ip Jou DOu ~, h,yH
Charlotte Withers. The gravity which she
observed during the time occupied in singing
the piece convulsed the audience with laughter
The concert throughout was quite satisfactory
and reflects much credit on Prof Daniels. The
piano used on this occasion was from the
store of j. F. Ellis
1t was particularly during this period and
subsequently that Clement Clarke Moore's well
known poem, "A Visit From ST. Nicholas"
or, more popularity called, Twas the Night Be-
fore Christmas was recited especially at
Christmas entertainments, in which the school
children took part, for it printed in some
of the old public school reading books.
multitude of children once learned to recite
it by heart.
IT WAS an entirely new conception of Santa
Claus and is just what we visualize the
old gentleman to be today. 1t was not new
piece even oU or oU years ago, Tor II was
written as far back as 1922 but like so many
gems of its kind, it did not become imme-
diately popular. OF course, you will recall it.
1t goes like this:
'"THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all
through the house
Not creature was stirring, not even mouse:
The stockings were hung by the chimney with
care,
In hopes that ST. Nicholas soon would be
there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced through
their heads
And Mamma in her kerchief and In nv can.