Music: Glee Men

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Manhattanites were startled last week in unexpected spots about the city by hearing groups of men suddenly burst into loud song. Those sufficiently curious to approach the tuneful gatherings noticed red ribbons dangling from lapels, with such words as "Peterboro," "Grachur," "Apollo," "Orpheus," neatly lettered in gold. Next day, the newspapers explained what the impromptu incantations were all about. Some 4,000 members of the Associated Glee Clubs of America, in 70 units, had paid their own expenses, traveled from all parts of the continent for a giant sing-song in vasty Madison Square Garden. By letter the various units had decided what they were going to sing, together and competitively. Prior to and between events at the Garden, the visitors went sightseeing, with pauses here and there for practice and publicity.

More wonderful for its massive tonal quality than for its artistic brilliance was the singing of the 4,000. The roof that has often reverberated with mass advice to fisticuffers, bicycle riders, marathon dancers, reverberated that night with the more melodious, even louder tones of such old-time favorites as Mendelssohn's "On Wings of Song," Bohm's "Calm as the Night," Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory." Reinald Werrenrath soloed "Danny Deever" until tears rolled down many a cheek. Then he sang "On the Road to Mandalay," assisted in the chorus by all the 4,000 and most of the audience.

When the 70 units competed, they met in Manhattan's Mecca Temple. There they spent the better part of a day determining that the Concordia Society of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was the best Class A chorus of all. Liederkranz of Scranton, near neighbors to the Wilkes-Barrians, won second prize. Class B Winners were the B. & O. Glee Club of Baltimore and Ottawa Temple Choir.