Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music - Opus Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

Page 19 text:

Just before Christmas the choir gave a concert at Terre Haute. A human interest story to go with it: It seems that after singing a most excellent program at the Zorah Temple there, each and every member enjoyed a tempting lunch at the Chicken in the Rough. But we wonder what happened to the two who were missing and unaccounted for upon the choir ' s return to Indianapolis — Marjorie Loertz and Jean Vickery! Not even the Philharmonic Choir is immune to keeping late hours. The report is that they finished caroling at three o ' clock Christmas morning. A rousing greeting to the Christmas of 1941, no? A versatile group of singers we ha ve in the Philharmonic. On the thirtieth of December they sang a group of folk songs in French, German, Italian, and English for the Modern Language Convention banquet at the Claypool Hotel. We wonder when the choir members do their daily breathing — two concerts in one evening! But that ' s not all! They made it from the Scottish Rite Cathedral to the Severin Hotel (and were ready to sing, too) in fifteen minutes. The concert at the Scottish Rite was by far the most impressive program of the year. As the huge curtain opened there was revealed a breath-taking stage setting greatly enhanced by footlights of ever-changing colors and intensity. A subdued glow, gradually increasing until it had reached a brilliant, glorious and almost heavenly light, formed a perfect background for the series of religious selections sung by the choir. Another rush order was filled on the night of January thirtieth at the Indian- apolis Athletic Club. Turning versatile again, the choir sang in another foreign language — this time Hebrew. One of the greatest expressions of appreciation that ever has been conferred upon the choir was the response which they received at this concert. After they had finished singing and were leaving the ramps, the entire audience stood and applauded until long after the choir had made its exit. The choir was given an opportunity to do its part for defense, too. After singing for the Skippers ' wedding anniversary on February first, the singers grabbed their little suitcases, boxes, and trunks (choir robes, you know), dashed for buses and cars and headed for Fort Benjamin Harrison — nice program, too. On February twenty-third at the Spink-Arms Hotel, Indiana composers were honored — among them, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lautner. Along with several selections by the choir, Lloyd Patten sang two numbers, one, a song written by the Lautners and the other, an aria from Carl Dawson ' s operetta, Cinderella. On Easter morn just as the sun had risen high enough in the sky to send its ribbon-like rays of dazzling light streaming down upon the throng gathered in Monument Circle the air was filled with the sound of voices singing, Hal — le-lu- jah! With the last phrase of the Hallelujah from Handel ' s Messiah, ten thousand people sat entranced in front of the Indianapolis Soldiers ' and Sailors ' monument. The Philharmonic Choir had just sung the closing number to an

Page 18 text:

THE PHILHARMONIC CHOIR Joseph Lautner, Director THE PHILHARMONIC CHOIR Nineteen hundred forty-one and forty-two has been a very busy year for the choir as, all in all, they have made over 70 appearances, including many local programs, many broadcasts, and several concerts out of the city. September twenty-fifth proved to be red letter day for the choir as this was the date of their first appearance of the year, at Elletsville, and it was a rousing success. The choir sang an all American program in Block ' s Auditorium before a meeting of the State Federation of Music Clubs on November first. Carl Eppert, one of our outstanding Amei ' ican composers, spoke at this meeting. One of the Philharmonic ' s most outstanding performances was for the Indi- anapolis Women ' s Department Club. Donning their royal purple and golden robes they came down the aisle, swiftly but stately. Seemingly before anyone realized it, they were mounting the platform at the front of the hall. The audience was won by the choir ' s entrance. The program was made up of Rixssian and English Christmas selections plus a few of our traditional favorites. Full and resonant — every member was pushing toward that one goal. The walls vibrated with it! The most thrilling number of the evening was Silent Night. Not just the song alone but also the arrangement and interpretation produced an effect which was overpowering. Herb Kaiser, bass, sang the solo with a humming choir accompaniment.

Page 20 text:

outstanding sunrise service with our own Mr. Lautner directing the early morning risers. Afterwards, while elbowing my way through the seething mass of people, I heard many complimentary remarks concerning the choir: I didn ' t know such a small group of singers — there could hardly be more than thirty — could work up such great volume. Yes, and so clear and musical, too. And elsewhere in the crowd: I heard every word the choir sang and I was way back, too! Did Mr. Lautner organize that wonderful choir? Later the same day the choir was again scheduled to sing — this time for the Christian Men Builders ' Bible Class at the Zaring Theatre. This perfoiTnance was also broadcast. One of the men backstage at the theatre whispered to me that they looked forward to this program every year. He had been out in the audience part of the time and remarked to me later that he had never seen such a beautiful pic- ture. The choir, again in their royal purple and golden robes, stood in the center of the small stage, while on either side of them were banks of green foliage. A soft red light trained upon them from the footlights reflected against a shim- mering grey curtain background. Philharmonic Choir life is brilliant and varied, don ' t you agree? It leads from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again. We sincerely hope that this worthy organization will continue to strive towards higher and higher fields of musical endeavor remaining an institution of musical perfection which we at A. J. C. rightly can be proud to acclaim.