| Show THE tabernacle CHOIR desirous of expressing its appreciation of prof evan stephens worth I 1 both as a conductor and composer the tabernacle choir a week or so ago appointed a committee of twelve in order that the best method of express expression iob mieth be adopted the result of the committees labors will be found in the following correspondence which was read by mrs lydia snow peirce at thursday nights rehearsal salt lake city utah dec prof evan stephens it has long been the desire of certain members of the tabernacle choir to express to you in a fitt ting and substantial manner their appreciation of your true worth as a conductor and composer by a canvass of the choir 1 we find the feeling to be universal i and we are led to believe that a like sentiment exists am among ong music lovers generally outside of this organization I 1 we wish to demonstrate to al all 1 who may be interested now and hereafter that we value in a measure at least the fact that we have a composer and conductor working with us and for us whom we believe to be a favored son of genius one who will only be fully valued when time has placed his works and worth where they properly belong it is understood that many of your musical compositions possessing equal it if not greater merit than those already in use have never been produced or even published in order that the pub lie lic may have an opportunity of hear ing these with others of your works of known fame we ask you to prepare a concert program to be made up excle i of your own compositions thinking the tabernacle the only suitable place in which to hold the con cert we have obtained the permission of the church authorities who with their customary kindness have freely given the use of the building and axe are in hearty accord with the movement we tender you this well mert merited ted compliment and pledge our ourselves s elves to i do all in our power to make the con cert a success we also bespeak the hearty support of the community for there is a general feeling of appreciation and gratitude among the people of salt lake and utah for what you I 1 have accomplished in educating the public taste musically in using your efforts that we might hear some of the worlds greatest artist sand thus bringing our city into prominence in musical affairs s trusting that our offer will be bb accepted we ask you to kindly reply if the plan as outlined meets with your i approval and to name a date on which the concert shall be given THE tabernacle CHOIR salt lake city dec 16 1897 members of the tabernacle choir your kind and considerate request that I 1 prepare a program of my own compositions to present under your you auspices at some future date has been duly received by me i 1 I cannot but highly appreciate tuch such a compliment coming from you who labor so constantly with me and if afi some of my compositions can through your kindness be brought before the J public without entailing too much lai bor arid worry upon you it will give me pleasure to do my utmost to aid in preparing such as I 1 hope would prove worthy of your interest and rendition it if it be possible to prepare the program so soon there will be much printing of parts to be done I 1 would like the evening of feb 1898 it being the seventh anniversary of the first concert glen gien in the tabernacle by the choir under my direction if we find that it will be impracticable to get the music ready in time a later date can be selected sincerely thanking you all for the compliment you have paid me 1 I am your fellow worker EVAN STEPHENS |
