The Chemawa American, February 01, 1916, Page 29, Image 29

26
THE
CHKMAWA
AM ERICAN
The Chemawa Indian String Quartet delighted a large audience at
Wood-Mar Hall on Monday evening, Jan. 10th. Their selections were
excellent and pleasingly rendered. The “ Indian Suite” was out of
the ordinary and very expressive. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable
numbers was the “ Reverie,” a compsition by Mr. Turney, the leader
of the quartet. The narrative lecture on Jean Valjean, the hero of
“ Les Miserables,” given by Mr. Kennedy, was also of special merit.
The Chemawa Indian String Quartet is the only company of its sort
in America, and has before it a promising career.—The Cresent, New­
berg, Ore., Jan. 15, 1916.
Last Tuesday evening the Indian String Quartet, of the Chemawa
school, assisted by Richard H. Kennedy, narrative lecturer, gave an
excellent entertainment at the Imperial theatre, under the auspices of
the Civic Improvement Club. The first part of the program consisted
of a number of classic selections and a “ Reverie” composed bv Mr.
Turney, the first violinist of the quartet and an instructor of music at
Chemawa. All were rendered with good ability and wonderful har­
mony. The composition by Mr. Turney was best received by the
audience. Mr. Kennedy’s lecture was a character sketch of Jean Val­
jean, the hero of Victor Hugo’s great novel, “ Les Miserables,” and
was a masterpiece of its kind. He held the rapt attention of his audi­
ence during the entire address, portraying vividly the trials and emo­
tions of his study. The music which followed the lecture consisted of
a four part suite of Indian music adapted to the quartet by Mr. Turney.
The subjects of the different parts of the suite were “ Dawn—Light in
the East,” “ Dance—Tribal Ceremonial,” “ Lamentation—Death of a
Warrior,” “ The H unt—Braves on the Chase.” The music of the
dance was perhaps most appreciated, being a very realistic reproducing
of the genuine Indian dance music. An adaptation of Home, Sweet
Home was given as an encore.—The News-Reporter, McMinnville, Ore.,
Jan. 13, 1916.
The faculty, ever fostering a love of music gave the students a rare
musical treat when they secured the Indian String Quartett of Cneinawa
to give a concert in the college auditorium. The program was elaborate,
containing selections from the masters. Mr. Ruthvn Turney, the di­
rector, is a musician of high rank. He played first violin and rendered
most beautiful interpretation of each number of the program. He was
supported by three of his own pupils of Chemawa. The last number
was Mr. Turney’s own composition; it will rank him among the great
composers of today. It was the “ First Indian Suite” and contained all
the characteristics of that fast vanishing race, The third movement,