Our Past Is Present September 12, 2018

September 12, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society. 

            Yesterday was Tuesday and that has been the day we have reserved for sharing stories with you about the Opera House.  Because yesterday was 9-11, we broke with that tradition to tell you the memories our staff had about that day on 2001.  So… today our time will be spent picking back up with an event that took place at the Opera House in September of 1896.             

            It was “The Grandest Concert” held on the 3^rd of September that year and was for the benefit of the M.E. Church of Junction City.  Local talent performed and included some of the following acts listed in an article in the “Junction City Tribute”. There was an overture by the orchestra of thirty pieces under the direction of J. Abbie Clarke.  The piece was titled “Gold Fleece”.  A contralto solo was sung by Miss Lulu Pierce title “Sunset”.  Miss Edith Albars played a piano solo titled “Pierrette” and Miss Wilmia Tylers played a harp solo.  Then the orchestra played the “Washington Post” March.  Part two opened with Mozart’s “Kyrie” from the Twelfth Mass by a chorus of 80 voices directed by E.H. Offley.  Miss J. Abbie Clarke appeared again playing her violin and she was asked to play an encore. Miss Florence Rook accompanied her on the piano.  The last solo of the evening was sung by Miss Grace Ketner, who had been re-elected to teach vocal music in the public schools.

            The manager of the Opera House claimed that nearly 650 people attended that grand concert.   And… that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.