Stetson Weekly Collegiate
Students' Publication of Stetson University.
vol. xxn
DeLAND, FLA., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1909.
No. 8
A GREAT MUSICAL EVENT.
Gaul's Great Oratorio, Joan of Arc, to
Have Fine Presentation on Friday
Evening, December 10.
Joan of Arc, The Maid of Orleans, was
born at Domremy, January 6, 1412.
Domremy is a village on the River Meuse
in the province of Vosges, France.
The Oratorio opens with a May festival at Domremy, the home of Joan.
Jean, however, is absent, and Philip, in
love with Joan, laments her absence.
Joan finally comes but takes no part in
the festivities. She is brooding over the
woes of ■ France. She is summoned by
spirit voices to take up the cause of
France and fight for its freedom; Joan
leaves the village, and urged by the dictates of her "voices" seeks the aid of
the governor of Vaucouleurs. He pays
little heed to her at first, but finally,
stirred by her revelations, gives her aid.
Joan assumes man's garb (a necessary
protection at this period), puts on a suit
of armor, buckles on a sword, and with
horse and banner, accompanied by several brave knights, hastens on to besieged
Orleans.
Their way is full of peril, rivers are
unfordable, and it is necessary to sleep
in strange woods and travel in strange
and unfrequented spots. Gien is passed.
The music depicts the villagers all agog
over her coming and going—and the
chorus, "A Shepherd Maid has Passed,"
reflects to a large degree the patriotism
of the villagers and their faith in the
new leader.
Joan and her faithful followers finally reach Orleans. The enemy's outposts through fear, make no attempt to
stop her from entering the city. The
siege is raised—Joan goes to the Cathedral to give thanks. Other victories follow. At Compiegne, however, reversal
comes; the French are driven back—retreating to the drawbridge of the town
which, either by treachery or cowardice,
is closed on Joan, who is taken to Rouen,
tried, condemned and led to the stake for
execution May 1431.
The splendid music, written by Gaul,
carries the story along graphically from
scene to scene. The music fits the story,
word for word; Gaul has taken advantage of every situation and built up dramatic climaxes not surpassed by any
modern composer.
The work requires good interpretation—the pathetic, emotional, weird and
dramatic, must be worked ou,t.
A close listener will feel, however,
that great rsligious fervor pervades the
entire work.
Miss Lena Conkling will assume the
part of Joan. She has been working
earnestly and faithfully on this work
and she will virtually live the part of
Joan in singing the great music.
H. G. Wilmshurst, tenor, will sing the
part of Philip. Mr. Wilmshurst is a reliable singer and will give a good account of himself.
Mr. Arthur Milam will sing the baritone parts.
Prof. John W. Phillips will conduct the
performance.
Eusophian Literary Society.
JOHN W. PHILLIPS.
Instructor in Voice and Chorus Director.
Prof. Phillips is one of those few
men who are universally beloved bj
a student body. He is at present
training a large chorus for the rendition of the oratorio, "'Joan of Arc."
For the past two years his has been
the personality that pervaded every
musical event at Stetson university
and that very personality has insured
the success of everything undertaken.
In past oratorios Prof. Phillips has
shown his superiority as a leader and
in the coming ''Joan of Arc," one
need not look in vain for the artistic
touches which can only be given it
by a director who has his very life
iu the work.
Although there was not the usual
large per cent, of the members present at the last meeting, due to the
Thanksgiving vacation, nevertheless
a very good meeting of the Eusophian
Literary Society was held' in the library on Saturday evening. In the
absence of the president, Mr. Durrance was elected temporary chairman, and he conducted the meeting
in a pleasing manner. The first number on the program was an address by
Miss Hulley, and she took for her
subject "The Requirements of a
Modern Hero." Mever has Miss
Hulley been heard to better advantage than on this occasion. A session
of parliamentary practice was then
held with C. M. Durrance in the
chair. This was extremely amusing
as well as instructive. The question
for debate was, "Resoived, That capital punishment should be abolished.
Miss Gordon spoke for the affirmative and Mr. Stultz for the negative.
Both speakers argued energetically,
the judges deciding in favor of the
affirmative.
If there is anyone who believes that
we haven't a fine society, let him or
her come to the next open meeting
and be enlightened. We feel safe in
saying that this surpasses any society of its kind that Stetson has ever
had. There are some thirty-five members and all are enthusiastic in regard to the work. We don't have
any person who cuts a meeting without a good excuse and none wants to.
If there is any Stetson student of college rank not belonging to our society and who would like to join, come
to our meeting Saturday evening at
7:30, and if you mean business you
will be given the glad hand.
Thanksgiving Echo.
God's beauty is everywhere. God does
everything he can to help us live right
and happy: and, did you ever stop to
think at what great expense, and the
great sacrifice he forfeited in order that
we may have the numberless privileges
and blessings?
Great men are honored and held up
to the world for their works of art,
and for their great acts of kindness and
