Venue(s):
Metropolitan Fair Main Building
Conductor(s):
William Berge
Event Type:
Band, Choral, Orchestral
Performance Forces:
Vocal
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
15 April 2013
The words of the army hymn are included in the review. “A memorable day was yesterday in the history of the City and of the country. . . . The ceremonies were commenced at 8 o’clock, with ‘Hail Columbia,’ by the Seventh Regiment Band, after which ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ was effectively given by Messrs. Colburn and Moulton, the chorus being by a choir of one hundred and fifty from the choirs of the different churches; they were accompanied by the band, and all under the leadership of Mr. Berge. The effect was very fine, and the audience enthusiastic in approval. . . .
The army hymn, composed by O.W. Holmes, was superbly sung by S.C. Campbell, assisted by the choir and band. . . .
At the close of General Dix’s address, the ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’ by Handel, was sung with great effect by the choir, accompanied by the band. . . .
The exercises were concluded by singing the doxology in ‘Old Hundred,’ in which the vast audience united with the choir, and filled the spacious edifice with its grand melody.”
“The great Fair for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission commenced last Monday. The music on the opening night did not amount to much. But after all, the money can be taken without music, as has been proved thus far, the receipts amounting to more than $100,000.”
“Otto Dresel’s ‘Army Hymn’ (words by Dr. Holmes, music not, as some of the N.Y. papers had it ‘by O. Dresdel’), was performed at the inauguration of the Fair in grand style, by a picked chorus of 200 voices and the famous 7th Regiment Band, for which it had been instrumented by Carl Bergmann.”