Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1912 — Song Recital at the Christian Church May 2. [ARTICLE]

Song Recital at the Christian Church May 2.

Final arrangements have been made by*Prof. W. Leo Hovorka, head of the music department at St Joseph’s College, for a song and music recital, to be given at the Christian church on May 2. Those who know Professor Hovorka intimately will state without reserve that his musical talents and abilities are far above the ordinary, and therefore, something that will be a delight to all music lovers, may be confidently expected. If we would indulge in predictions, we should say that this recital will be the best thing that has been-heard in Rensselaer for many a day. Songs by Miss Ilda Scbnee, of Ft. Wayne, and by Prof. Walter J. Nowak, of the vocal department of St. Joseph’s College, will form the greater part of the program. This will be varied by the beautiful and masterly violin productions of the young musical pro digy, Master John McGahey. Prof. Hovorka will himself play the accompaniments. A word about the principals will not be out of place here. Miss Ilda Schnee studied’ voice culture for a number of years at Ft. Wayne and completed her course under th 6 direction of the most famous and ibesT voice teacher of his time, the late Signor Marescalchi. He knew how to teach the best there is in the human voice, having himself sung with Madam Patti in the first opera given in _the Auditorium at Chicago, and what is more to our point, Miss Schnee was a pupil worthy of the master and, under his able guidance, has become a singer of great ability. With a great range of voice and power of produc tion she combines extraordinary pathos and feeliqg. She has repeatedly appeared in Chicago and Ft. Wayne and at various other places in concerts, and everywhere her singing has been most highly commended. Most of the people of Rensselaer have heard Professor Nowak sing and have admired him, so there is little need of saying anything about his abilities. It may be stated, however, that Professor Nowak, after studying music for some time at Milwaukee, graduated from the Dana Musical Institute at Warren, Ohio, having enjoyed the privilege of the teaching of the well-known Prof. Frank Milton Hunter, a graduate of ✓ the Musical Conservatory of Milan, Italy, and of the Royal Academy of London, England. Since then Professor Nowak has appeared publicly in concerts at different places. Not very long ago he sang at a reception given to the great violinist, Kubelik, at Chicago. And Kubelik, whose judgment in musical matters none will gainsay, expressed very great pleasure and satisfaction and highly praised Professor Nowak’s singing. There is a surprise in store for every one who has not heard Master McGahey play the violin. He is indeed a musical prodigy. Although still in knickerbockers, only twelve years old, he has already given a number of violin recitals of his own, and the press notices he has received are ex-' tremely flattering. Tlfose who have heard him at the college will be glad and anxious to hear him again. All the participants in this recital are finished artists in every way. Music lovers—and who is not a lover of good music?—-lovers of the beautiful in the human voice, the most •touching and inspiring music in the world, lovers of art, all will be glad of the opportunity of hearing something which is so beautiful, so artistic, as this recital undoubtedly promises to be. It will take place at the Christian church, May 2.