Evening star., 1944-11-03

born Of youthful reverence, skill
Il still fresh and vigorous and ear.
nestness OF purpose untarr1ished By
any disillusionment.
With the personnel changing every
few months 1t. James Thurmond
officer in charge of the school anc
conductor, has been able neverthe-
less, to elevate the standard al
each appearance and to achieve q
f1nesse in ensemble that is little
short of astounding. The unspoilee
quality the boys bring to their mu-
sic duties has been preserved while
mellowed with thoughtful consid-
Grafton of the ultimate artistic goal
True, practically all of the mem
bers of the band were musicians
of advanced attainment in civilian
| life before entering the school but
the credit of organizing them into q
unit to give a concert such as last
nights still remains 1t. Thurmond's s
Superb Diction.
The chorus also, showed a marked
progress since former appearances
The diction of the 100 men singing
in unison was superb and without
1t they could never have received
the enthusiastic acclaim for Ran.
dali Thompson's "The Testament o.
Freedom" with text taken from thu
writings of Thomas Jefferson. The
singing of this particular number
was thrilling for not one iota of its
appropriateness and importance Ii
the present moment of our history
was lost. The composer has met
the difficulties of setting the prose
writing to music with extraordinary
skill keeping the vocal line to some
what OF a recitative without en-
helllshments. Into the accompani.
ment he has put a wealth of senti.
ment and description that flows
IKE an undercurrent beneath the
vocal defamation. The singing is
interrupted by these descriptive mo-
ments which reach stirring climaxes
eliminating in the ringing bell ef-
feet that follows each proclama-
ton of liberty" in the concluding
measures.
The Testament" was written In
honor Of the 200 anniversary OF
the birth Of Thomas Jefferson and
performed on Founders Day at the
University of Virginia which JEFF
lerson was instrumental in estab-
fishing.
Soloist Outstanding.
Soloist of the program was Rich.
ard Eugene. Larson, pianist, who
gave an outstanding performance OF
the Greig Concerto in "A Minor.
Gifted with poetic sensibilities, Mr.
Larson can use his expressive tone
for both lyrical and dramatic ef-
feet. His technique is cleancut and
equal to all demands but it was not
his unquestioned facility that wor
him an ovation but the great anc
detailed beauty he managed to in.
fuse into his reading His per.
formance was relief from the
plainly bravura playing so often as.
sociated with this concerto. Incl.
IDENTIFY, the arrangement for banc
OF the accompaniment created a ricf
and effective background.
For the band, there were two espe.
cially worthwhile numbers in "Jubi.
lee" from Chadwicks Symptom,
Sketches" and the lovely Legend
by Paul CreSton, both of which re.
ceived noteworthy treatment under
1t. Thurmond's direction. For tn,
chorus, the sea shanties, "Lowland!
Away Fire Down Below" Tom,
Gone to Hilo" and Billy Boy" were
arranged for the singers by Clifford
Empson Mccormick, choral assist.
ant at the school, who sang thu
baritone solos; William Moran, tenor
took part in Billy Boy" The &C.
compartments were arranged BY
Jack Fitzpatrick, well-known Ameri.
can Indian composer. Johnn,
Green's Body and Soul" arranged
by George Thaddeus Jones, for tn,
chorus, and Sousa's marches, "The
Diplomat" and Hands Across the
Sea-" for the band. concluded ths
program.
The performance. with a capacity
house, disappointing many hun
dl eds turned away at the door, wa.
made festive by a stage decorated
with ferns and palms and large
American flag floating from the
ceiling in the center of the audi.