THE UNIVERSITY COURIER.
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Students can now find instruction, not only in all branches of pianoforte playing but in violin, stringed and wind instruments, oratorio singing, church singing, opera, including dramatic art and elocution and languages. A feature of next term will be the five graduating recitals by the seniors, the recital by Miss Neally Stevens, and the production of one of the Italian grand operas. Last June the department of Art was likewise placed in the hands of Professor Penny, who was made by the regents, Dean of the School of Fine Arts, comprising the School of Music and School of Painting. The Dean immediately endeavored to make the department of Art a real school of drawing and painting in every sense of the word and was fortunate in securing the services of Prof. Geo H. Hopkins, Principal of the Topeka Art School last year. A four years course was established, thus raising the standard of graduation one year. There will thus be no graduates this year, but there has been a fair attendance during the past term which promises much for the ensuing term thus assuring a successful year. Prof. Hopkins frequently takes his students out sketching the picturesque scenery about town and has a life class drawing from the living model. Drawing from the flat has been wholly abolished and all the methods are thoroughly educational and progressive. The school will give an exhibition of the years work in June.
MUSIC SCHOOL CONCERT.
Last Thursday evening, December 16, Prof. Penny gave one of the best concerts that the Music School has ever presented to a Lawrence audience. The concert was marked by an improvement in style, finish in execution, and expression, above all previous concerts. Each and every one of the eight hundred people who climbed the hill expressed their pleasure and surprise at the progress of K. S. U. School of Music.
A part of the concert was in original composition by the seniors.
The program opened with a brilliant set of variations by Mendelssohn and Moscheles, played upon two pianofortes by Miss Louisa Smith and Professor Penny. Miss Smith executed the difficulties of the work with facility and made a favorable impression.
Miss Taggert gave her friends a surprise in the song by Dudley Buck. Her fullness of tone and finished phrasing (as the musicians call it) were excellent. Mrs. Bell's playing is well known, but never has she done such brilliant work as she did in Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso. It was genuine fairy music. Mr. Louis Buch was at his best, playing a fantasia upon the well known Austrian national hymn with a fine execution, especially in double stop work. In this as much as in anything else, Professor Penny showed his ability as an accompanist. The piano and violin seemed controlled by one head. A rousing encore was responded to. The pleasing appearance of Miss Titsworth won the audience before she sang a note of the song "When the heart is young" but her singing completely captured the audience who encored her. She has a strong sympathetic voice of great promise. In many respects, the most effectively played of the piano pieces was Raff's "Polka de la Reine" by Miss Lichtenwalter. Another new singer was introduced, Miss Edith E. Hayes, who sang the "Jewel Song" in Faust. Then came some original composition by students in the senior class. Miss Hindman's composition showed decided talent. Miss Hindman had just finished her composition that morning and it is no wonder that she forgot a part of it.
The concert closed with a highly creditable composition by Miss Lichtenwalter a trio for ladies' voices, "Good Night," which was beautifully sung by the ladies' chorus.
THE STUDENT'S MUSIC SUPPLIES ARE SOLD BY J. H. BELL & BRO.
They make a specialty of furnishing Students and Teachers with supplies at Special Prices. Pianos for rent. Pianos tuned, regulated and repaired.
CALL ON OR ADDRESS
They have constantly on hand Pianos, Organs, Sheet Music, Books and Studies, Practice Claviers and Technicons.
J. H. BELL & BRO., - - LAWRENCE, KANSAS.