Books › The official blue book of the Jamestown Ter-centennial Exposition, A.D. 1907. The only authorized history of the celebration. Illustrated, 1909 › scan 782
Scan 782
The official blue book of the Jamestown Ter-centennial Exposition, A.D. 1907. The only authorized history of the celebration. Illustrated, 1909
29 lines. Read by computer on 29 August 2026. Printed page 768. See the scan on archive.org.
1The Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition.
3JOSEPH MAERZ
4Pianist
6FRANCIS McMILLAN
7Violinist
9EARL J. PFOUTS
10Violinist
12dred and twenty children, accompanied by Phinney's Band and directed by Mr. Whiddit, sang several patriotic airs and "Virginia, The Mother of States," a song especially written for the occasion by Miss Lillian Turner, a young lady of Norfolk.
14"The work of these children," reports Mr. Whiddit, "cannot be spoken of too highly. It was one of the great musical successes of the Exposition and brought forth the highest praise from thousands who listened to their sweet young voices singing together in perfect time and tune. The children's chorus sang again June 29 and on July 2 ('West Virginia Day'). For this occasion the children had been especially engaged by the West Virginia Commissioners. They also sang on the Fourth of July, known as 'Thomas Jefferson Memorial Day' or 'Independence Day.' Nearly seven hundred children were seated then on the stage and in seats adjoining. The children visited the Exposition twice in July and three times in August and were invited to sing later but on account of the opening of the schools this was found to be impracticable. The work of training this large chorus was enormous. The handling of them at terminal stations, the safe transportation of them over the trolley lines to the Exposition and the return in special cars required great care, and Mr. Whiddit gave to this work his entire attention. Special mention should be made of the singing of the children on 'Knights of Columbus Day,' when the Papal Delegate personally thanked Mr. Whiddit for the pleasure which the singing of the two hundred and fifty children had given him."
16The large corps, known as the "Jamestown Chorus," gave a second successful concert on May 13. They also sang on the opening on the evening of July 4, on "Eagles' Day" and on Thanksgiving Day. This latter farewell appearance was assisted by Mrs. Blanche Armstrong Weinschenk, soprano; Mr. William Wall Whiddit, tenor soloist; Mr. Raymond Pearce, tenor; Mr. J. W. Cooper, basso, and Mr. A. M. Wilber, accompanist. In his report Mr. Whiddit returns his thanks and heartily praises Mrs. Laura de Bussey Berry of Norfolk, A. M. Wilber of Suffolk and Ben J. Potter of Richmond, the first two of whom assisted him so ably as accompanists at the piano and the latter in a similar capacity at the organ.
18The Hampton Roads Glee Club gave a concert in the Auditorium on the opening night. This Club, consisting of twenty-five well trained young male voices under the direction of Mr. Hamilton, not only sang alone but ably superintended the Jamestown Chorus on that occasion.
20In addition to his work with the choruses, the duty of the Superintendent was to keep up correspondence with a number of organizations in regard to engagements for organ recitals, as well as to communicate with other soloists who wished engagements. During the latter months Mr. Whiddit was obliged to cancel a number of engagements with well known organists, such as Will McFarlane, R. Huntington Woodman, Garrett Smith, William C. Carl and others, because there was no assurance that these artists could be paid for their services. A magnificent Austin organ was secured by Mr. Whiddit as an exhibit for the Exposition, at a cost to the Company of three thousand dollars as a rental to cover the expenses of setting up the instrument in the Auditorium. From the opening until the closing of the Exposition some of the very best organists of the country played on this instrument to their entire satisfaction. Some one used the organ daily. Not once was a recital interrupted by a cipher or stoppage of the motor for any cause whatsoever. In other words, the organ proved to be a wonderfully successful instrument with an action most responsive to the touch, repeating as fast as it was possible for an organist to touch the keys, beautifully toned and well designed. The Winchester system, upon which this organ was constructed, gave an absolutely steady pressure of air that at all times was adequate to the demands placed upon it. The playing of Sullivan's "Lost Chord" by Phinney's Band to the accompaniment of the organ was a triumph at the climax, when the entire power of the organ was used. It sustained the chord so perfectly and gave such a magnificent body to the band music that it was almost impossible to detach one source from the other. The Official Organist generally presided at the organ during these renditions.
22ORGAN RECITALS
24A feature of the organ was the Chimes—an octave and a half of tubular cones hung in the solo swell box. These were very effectively tuned and were played from the solo keyboard. The bell sounds added much to the charm of the organ and the pleasure of the listener. The organ season was informally opened at a reception to President Roosevelt on opening day. At this time Mr. Whiddit played. The formal opening took place on Monday, May 6, at the inauguration of a week's recital given by Mr. Clarence Eddy, one of America's most noted organists. The following organists gave recitals from June 24:
25June 24—William Wall Whiddit.
26June 25-28—E. Jores.
27June 28—William Wall Whiddit.
28July 1-10—William Wall Whiddit.
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