An Enjoyable Vesper Service

New York, 1895

A vesper choral service at the Reformed church, Jamaica, Sunday night, attracted a large congregation, members of other churches forming a large part of the gathering. The chief feature of the program was Mendelssohn's cantata, "Hear My Prayer," a composition of exceeding beauty that had never before been heard in the village. Mrs. Wilkes, the solo soprano of the choir, achieved remarkable success in rendering the solos, which are very elaborate and exceedingly difficult, and the other parts and the chorus were admirably sustained. Mr. John W. Jones, the musical director, is to be congratulated on his choir reaching the point that makes the rendering of such a work possible.

Miss Irene Brinckerhoff, organist, made two valuable contributions to the program. The prelude was Schumann's magnificent "Pictures from the Orient," a delightful bit of tone coloring, and Guilmant's majestic "Grand Choeur," both of which she rendered with much finish.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, May 24, 1895, p. 8.