Utah at the Lewis and Clark Exposition

UTAH AT THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPOSITION. BY JOSEPH BALLANTYNE, DIRECTOR OF THE OGDEN TABERNACLE CHOIR OF TWO HUNDRED FIFTY VOICES.

[When the history of the Portland Pair is written, the contributions which Utah has made towards its success, should occupy an important page therein. Our State's display of minerals, products of the soil, and educational methods and advancement, merits mention with the best. Considering, also, the population of this state, the number of visitors to the fair from here must be highly satisfactory to its leaders. But the crowning contribution of Utah was the visit, late in August, of the

Ogden "Mormon'' Tabernacle Choir to Portland, and their splendid sing- ing to great audiences during sessions of the Irrigation Congress, and on Utah Day. It was a pleasant and a brilliant feature of the great Ex- position, duly recognized by the officials, and immensely enjoyed by the local and visiting throngs of people. The event must enlarge the friend- ship of the people of Oregon for the people of Utah, and help to open their eyes to the true situation here. The behavior, also, of the large company of young men and women composing the choir was all that could be asked, and their conduct received frequent and favorable com- ment. To Director Joseph Ballantyne, who has kindly furnished the Era the following sketch of the visit, much honor is due, not only for the careful training of the voices in the choir, and hence the excellent sing- ing, but also for the successful management of the enterprise which has resulted in bringing inestimable credit to the whole state. Editors.]

About four months ago, a movement was set on foot to take the Ogden Tabernacle choir to Portland, to sing at the opening of the Irrigation Congress, which convened in the Rose city, August 21, 1905.

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The invitation came from the Hon. C. B. Boothe, of Los Angeles, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Irrigation Congress, and was heartily seconded by Governor Par- dee of California, who was then president and since has been re- elected to the same position. was a gigantic undertaking; involving an expenditure of It

about ten thousand dollars. President Lewis W. Shurtliff, of the Weber Stake of Zion, was the prime mover in the great responsi- bility, and was assisted by State Senator Fred J. Kiesel, of Ogden,

and by Charles J. Ross, also connected with the choir. President Shurtliff made several trips to Portland in the in- terest of the undertaking, and through his efforts and those of Charles J. Ross, valuable concessions were secured by the Com- mercial Club of Portland, in which the Hon. Tom Richardson prominently figured. Had it not b^en for the unselfish interest manifested by President Shurtliff, who is an earnest and sincere promotor of all that is great and good in art and music, the under- taking, no doubt, would have failed. About two hundred members of the Ogden choir went on this glorious mission, for such it

proved to be, accompanied by John J. McClellan, who acted as accompanist for the choir, and soloists Emma Lucy Gates, soprano, and Willard E. Weihe, violinist. More than one hundred rooms were secured at the "American Inn" for the accommodation of the choir and soloists. It was a most delightful home. With the waters of Guild's lake entirely surrounding the two main wings, and a background of mountains covered with dense forests of timbers, it was truly ideal. The first public work done by the choir was on Monday even- ing, August 21, when the "Irrigation Ode," composed by our John J. McClellan was sung, with Emma Lucy Gates as soloist. At the conclusion of the work, the entire audience of two thousand five hundred arose and gave unmistakable signs of approval. The demonstration was so genuine and sincere that Hon. Tom Richard- son was powerless to suppress the rapturous applause for fully five minutes, and then only upon the promise that the choir would sing "The Soldiers' Chorus" from Faust. After the rendition of this immortal chorus, by Gounod, they were again wildly enthusi- astic. Mr. Richardson told the audience that choir and soloists

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would appear the two following evenings, in concert programs, which seemed to partially satisfy them. The next night, (Tuesday) a full concert program was given to a crowded house. The enthusiasm was unbounded. The choir and soloists John J. McClellan, Emma Lucy Gates and Willard E. Weihe, were roundly applauded, after the rendition of each number. Probably one of the greatest tributes paid the chorus and soloists was the fact that more than one thousand persons were turned away from the last concert on Wednesday night. Numerous offers of advanced prices were made for admission, but could not be gratified. It was certainly an ovation seldom accorded musi- cians in the great centers of musical activity in the world. Not only did the chorus find its way into the hearts of the public and press, but the soloists and accompanist — artists every one — of whom we feel justly proud, were given enthusiastic receptions. Not only was the side of art well cared for, but we feel a great sense of gratitude that honors came to us from the social side. We were honored by invitations to be entertained by Presi- dent Goode of the Portland Fair, the governors of Utah, Califor- nia, and Washington, all of which were accepted. Homer Davenport, the eminent cartoonist, did us honor by inviting the entire body of singers to spend a forenoon on his farm, where he gave us his personal attention, explaining in detail his rare specimens of birds and animals. We also received an invitation from President H. M. Coke, of the Portland Commercial Club, to spend an evening with the club and invited guests, num- bering nearly one thousand persons, which we thankfully ac- cepted. In his introduction, he stated that the presence of the choir was the greatest honor ever conferred upon the club, and that after the sweet singing of this great "Mormon" choir, they would always think the more of the club rooms, because of their visit.

I am so grateful that the impression we created was a favor- able one. It does seem to me that the great masses can be

reached through the realm of art, when, at times, all other re- sources fail. I am especially grateful that there are times, in the

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history of the Latter-day Saints, when strong intellectual and artistic appeals can be made to the world. I am sure the number of trips taken by the Salt Lake Tabernacle choir, under our worthy leader, Evan Stephens, has done much to strengthen the thought that the "Mormon" people are true and earnest patrons of the arts and sciences. If our weak effort at Portland has contributed to this end, I feel repaid for all the responsibility assumed by me. Ogden, Utah.