CONCERT AT HORTICULTURAL HALL, BOSTON

January 22d, 1902

Chickering & Sons, the celebrated piano makers 7of Boston, were having an exhibition of musical instruments of quaint and original designs from all over the world, and giving concerts and lectures to illustrate music and show these instruments in their native worth.

To illustrate the ancient music in grand chorus and with orchestra this Society was invited to give a "sing" in the Horticultural Hall as a part of the program of the "World's Music" on Wednesday evening, January 22nd, 1902, and the invitation was accepted. Dr. C. C. Farnham and Edwin A. Jones were instrumental in making the arrangements.

Once more the Society demonstrated its capacity for coming up to the measure of its opportunity and the demands of the occasion. Wednesday evening it went to Boston two hundred strong and gave a concert before an audience which completely filled the hall and occupied standing room in the rear. The chorus was under the direction of Nelson Mann, chorister, of Randolph, and the orchestra was directed by Edwin A. Jones, of Stoughton. In the two hundred voices were singers from Randolph, Stoughton, Brockton, Canton, Easton, Holbrook, Braintree, Abington and Rockland.

The soloists were Mrs. C. C. Farnham, Randolph, soprano; Miss Fanny Buck, Stoughton, soprano; Mrs. S. T. French, contralto; Mr. L. W. Standish, Stoughton, tenor.

The chorus work was strong, effective and well done, and was frequently applauded by the audience. Mrs. Farnham sang very sweetly the song, "There's Nothing True but Heaven." She had a soprano voice, mellow, limpid and pure, and won the applause of the audience by the excellent character of her rendition. Miss Fanny E. Buck, of Stoughton, also won golden opinions for her excellent rendering of her two solos, "Come Sit Thee Down" and "Ode to Columbians Favorite Son". Miss Buck had a voice of power and splendid range, and she used it with great skill and discretion. Her singing brought out enthusiastic applause. A quartet composed of Miss Buck, soprano; Morton Packard, Brockton, tenor; Mrs. H. H. Lyons, Randolph, alto, and Mr. George Sprague, of Brockton, bass, sang very effectively two selections, "China" and "Omega," and were well received. Mr. Packard had a rich, sweet tone, and Mr. Sprague's bass was round, full, musical and effective.

After the concert many congratulations were showered upon the officers and soloists of the organization by those present on the success of the affair.

A letter from Chickering & Sons, Boston, dated Jan. 31, 1902, reads:

Stoughton Musical Society, Stoughton, Mass.

We desire to express our great gratification, not only at being able to include an appearance of the Stoughton Society amongst the attractions at our Historical Musical Exhibition, but also at the performance which far exceeded our expectations in interest and excellence. We feel very much indebted to the Society and desire to express to each member our thanks. The chorus, orchestra and soloists were all most kind and satisfactory, and we beg to remain,

                                                                                                                                Yours very truly,

                                                                                                                                Chickering & Sons F. H. B.B.

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