"Roney's Boys" Concert Company of Chicago

              1903

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Dec. 30, 1908
THE WASHINGTON FAVORITES
RONEY'S BOYS CONCERT COMPANY
OF CHICAGO

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AT THE WHITE HOUSE
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY
SATURDAY DEC. 26, 1903, 4 P.M.
WASHINGTON, D.C.




HENRY B. RONEY

Roney's Boys Concert Company
OF CHICAGO
HENRY B. RONEY, Trainer and Manager
2358 Indiana Avenue, Suite 101


Roney's Boys

Only in dreams I've listened
To the music of the spheres
And harps, and songs of angels—
The voices of happy tears;
But now my prisoned fancy
Has an earnest of their joys,
For I've heard the earthly cherubs
That are christened 'Roney's Boys'.

A. A. B. Cavaness.



AT THE WHITE HOUSE
HISTORY does not record a more remarkable gathering at the White House than that of last Christmas.  State dinners, diplomatic receptions and Cabinet meetings gave way to childhood, and the machinery of our great government stopped for a time while hundreds of children, invited by Mrs. Roosevelt to hear Roney's Boys of Chicago, took possession of the Home of the Presidents.  In point of size, the records of the White House do not show such a wonderful gathering of children.  In respect to quality it was not less remarkable.  The assistance of the State and War Departments was enlisted by Mrs. Roosevelt to ascertain the names of all children between 6 and 16 years of age in the families of the Diplomatic Corps, and officers of the Army and Navy, and equal care was exercised that none were overlooked in the families of the Cabinet, Supreme Court, Senators, Representatives, Assistant Secretaries, heads of departments and the accredited newspaper correspondents in Washington.

It was therefore a distinctly representative gathering from the first families of the Nation and of foreign governments, in official and social life.  And the walls of the historic East Room, teeming with memories of resplendent ceremonials and stately functions, never looked down upon a fairer scene that upon these hundreds of lovely children in holiday attire—the very flower of the land—who waited with eager expectancy the opening of the program.

Across the entire north or front end of the East Room stretched the dazzling Golden Organ Chimes and the platform erected for the boys, and between them the $5,000.00 gold piano used by Mr. Roney throughout the program, a superb creation entirely covered with gold leaf and bearing on its sides the Coats of Arms of the thirteen original states, painted by famous artists.  The program included several old Christmas Carols especially requested by the President and Mrs. Roosevelt.

During the serving of refreshments that followed in the State dining room, the East Room was cleared of the gold and silver chairs—a crash of music from the famous Marine Band, and like magic the great room was filled with flying fairy figures reflected on the polished floor.

A prettier scene was ne'er beheld within these historic walls.  Veterans in the social, political and business world wished themselves again in childhood's realm, as they looked long and lovingly on the bewildering picture, which the happy participants will describe to their grandchildren many years hence, and which in its many sided attractiveness can scarcely hope to be excelled in the present generation.

Not a detail was omitted by Mrs. Roosevelt that could contribute to the pleasure of her little guests, who were made to feel so much at home that their youthful awe at the honor of being guests of the first lady of the land at the White House quickly gave way to unalloyed enjoyment.

The President, whose greatness of heart is attested by his unbounded love for children, dropped the wearing cares of the Nation and refreshed his soul at the Fountain of Youth, mingling with the children, cordially speaking to every one and even carrying refreshments to the little ones overlooked in the crowd, and seeing that the tiniest was not neglected.

The illustrations upon the title page will be valued by every one who places love of country and loyalty to the Nation's chosen executive above politics.  The photograph with the Happy New Year inscription is one given to Mr. Roney by the President, and the winter view of the White House, additions and grounds, is from a new photo taken expressly for this souvenir.  On the right appears the building of the War Department, and in front of it, nearly hidden by shrubbery and the terrace, the President's business office is just disclosed.




WARNING
Boys under other management claimed to be Roney's Boys or the same as 'Roney's Boys' are spurious and an imposition upon the public.  There is but one genuine company of this name, and they never appear without being accompanied by Mr. Roney, their trainer and manager.



SPECIAL NOTICE
Talented boy singers, players upon any instrument, or elocutionists, will, when desired, be given a free hearing by Mr. Roney and advised, if brought to him en route or during the summer to his Chicago studio.  Occasional popular organ recitals, coaching lessons in church organ playing, orchestral registration and accompanying, also in church or concert singing and interpretation and training of boys' voices may be obtained of Mr. Roney en route, also by appointment.  Address care of general delivery in towns visited, or

HENRY B. RONEY, 2358 Indiana Ave., Suite 101, Chicago, Ill.




Extracts from Recent Letters and Press Comments

Washington Post
The largest White House party and quite the most interesting of many years took place yesterday afternoon, when, in response to Mrs. Roosevelt's invitations, sent out some ten days ago, 500 children gathered in the East Room to listen to Roney's Boys Concert Company of Chicago, and later to partake of ice cream frozen in the shape of Santa Claus and other Christmas novelties, the party closing with a dance in the East Room.
The Roney Boys, five in number, who came from Chicago on the invitation of Mrs. Roosevelt, wore various fancy costumes—French Court, Highland Scottish, patriotic, cardinal college gowns, choir vestments, and uniforms—and the program would have done credit to any stage.  During the music the President entered the room, taking an inconspicuous seat near the Green Room entrance.  He entered thoroughly into the spirit of the occasion and enjoyed every minute of the entertainment.



Chicago Tribune—Special Dispatch
More than 500 children attended the Christmas party at the White House, and not since the days of President Tyler has there been anything like it.  * * After being presented to Mrs. Roosevelt the youngsters were escorted to the East Room, which previously had been filled with gold and silver chairs.  One end of the great room was arranged for the musicians, and here the gold piano, organ chimes and other musical instruments were placed.  The musical program lasted for about an hour.  One of the prettiest features was when all the children rose and, accompanied by the Boys, sang My Country, 'tis of Thee, closing the program.
Roney's Boys, who gave the musical program, scored a great hit, and the enthusiastic little guests encored all their selections.  The Golden Organ Chimes excited the children and were evidently appreciated as much as any part of the program.  Today the great East Room was the scene of the merriest party ever given there.  Mr. Roney bears the distinction of having been chosen from hundreds of musicians all over the country for the White House Christmas concert.



New York Herald
Mrs. Roosevelt's party for children, the event to which the juvenile world of fashion has been looking forward for weeks, came to pass this afternoon, when the drawing rooms of the White House were thrown open to receive the 600 little guests.  * * The Marine Band was stationed in the outer corridor as at all large functions.  The children were first entertained by a concert in the East Room given by Roney's Boys Concert Company of Chicago, the program including solo, duet, trio and quartet singing, with different accompaniments; also violin, flute and piccolo selections, each number being enthusiastically received.  One of the most interesting features was the organ chimes, the pipes being arranged by the side of the piano.  After the concert the children filed into the state dining room for refreshments, after which the walls rung with merriment seldom known in the stately old mansion.


Philadelphia Inquirer
Five hundred children between the ages of six and sixteen took possession of the drawing room floor of the White House this afternoon when Mrs. Roosevelt was at home from 4 to 6.  The children entered by the doorway of the esplanade, and after greeting Mrs. Roosevelt went directly into the East Room to listen to the concert by Roney's Boys Concert Company of Chicago.  A varied program of classical and popular music was rendered, and Christmas carols interspersed.  The Christmas Bells Gavotte on the organ chimes was one of the most enjoyable numbers played.


New Orleans Times-Democrat
Five hundred children, youthful sons and daughters of members of the Cabinet, Senators, Representatives, army and navy officers, members of the Diplomatic Corps, assistant secretaries of departments and Washington newspaper correspondents were the guests between 4 and 6:30 o'clock of Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House.  Mrs. Roosevelt was assisted by the ladies of the Cabinet circle and Mrs. Loeb, Mrs. Cowles, the President's sister and Miss Hagner.
The White House had been decorated beautifully for this Christmas party.  Each child was introduced to Mrs. Roosevelt by Major McCawley of the marine corps, and by her was given a cordial greeting.  Each was then presented with a program and a souvenir of the party and conducted to the East Room by officers of the army, navy and marine corps in full uniform, and there seated.  The musical program was rendered by Roney's Boys Concert Company of Chicago, with Henry B. Roney as director, the children being enthusiastic in their manifestations of commendation.



New York Sun
Most of the songs were rendered in costume much to the delight of the children.  The entire north end of the East Room was occupied with the Boys and their instruments, the most interesting one to the children being the organ chimes, which entered into the program.  Ethel, Theodore, Kermit, Archibald and even the President's baby, Quentin, entered into the spirit of the party with willing zest.


New York Tribune
The Christmas party at the White House gave five hundred little people something to remember for the remainder of their lives.  Not even Prince Charming, who gave the ball in Fairyland, could have entertained his guests more joyously than did the gracious hostess of today.  They were received by Mrs. Roosevelt in the Green Parlor and then passed into the East Room, which was arranged with chairs concert fashion, with a space at the farther end for the gold leaf grand piano and a strange glittering instrument which most of the little guests had to be told was organ chimes.  The festivities began with the following program by Roney's Boys Concert Company of Chicago.  * * *


Chicago Record-Herald
A notable holiday event was the concert at the White House by Professor Henry B. Roney and his Boys, so well known in Chicago.  The audience was composed of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt and their family and invited friends to the number of probably 500.  The function was one of the largest musicals ever given within its historic walls, and unusual interest was taken in it by the younger element of society.  It was one of the most enjoyable events of the Christmas season at the National Capital.


The Lyceumite
Roney's Boys at the White House December 26 is a lyceum event to be remembered.  It was the largest children's gathering in the home of the Presidents during the past sixty years.  The usual program was given, together with some special numbers at the request of the President and Mrs. Roosevelt.  At the conclusion of the concert there was a children's dance in which the Boys took part.  The President took an active interest in the event and Mr. Roney was warmly congratulated by both Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt.




Roney's Boys Concert Company of Chicago

RONEY'S BOYS AND THEIR GOLDEN ORGAN CHIMES



Lou J. Beauchamp in The Lyceumite
I heard Roney's Boys sing and play and the gates of heaven were very close to us then, and if there were any had men in that audience, they went away determined to be good, and good men certainly determined to be better.  Roney's Boys, although giving an entertainment, and not a lecture, are doing more to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to men than many a hundred-dollar-a-night lecturer is doing.


Elvin Swarthout, Sec'y Epw. League Assembly, Ludington, Mich.
No company on our program drew better audiences, because of their genuine merit as an artistic combination.  The Boys sing like angels.  Nothing about the concert is amateurish, although the performers are so young.


Chas. S. Pilkington, General Sec'y Y. M. C. A., Painesville, O.
They gave complete satisfaction.  The people have asked for them again.  We have said sufficient.


Braddock (Pa.) News
Roney's Boys are the best ever.  Such is the verdict, unanimously given, of the large audience in attendance.  The boys sang with the ease and pureness of tone of professionals of many years' constant practice.


Biddeford (Me.) Record
By far the best entertainment that has ever been given in the library course.


Barre (Vt.) Telegram
Unquestionably the most interesting entertainment of its kind ever heard here.


Bridgeton (N. J.) Pioneer
A most delightful, novel and unique entertainment.  The little fellows scored the musical hit of seasons.  It was finished, artistic, entertaining.  A more successful entertainment has not been offered in any of the Library Association courses.


Waterville (Me.) Mail
The boys are veritable little wonders as singers and musicians.  They sang and played all their selections without a bit of music in sight.


Augusta (Me.) Journal
Fine clean performance in every respect.  Large audience spellbound and perfectly delighted.


Webster (Mass.) Times
Unparalleled and exceptionally excellent.  Roney's Boys concert has certainly never been equalled in Webster, and it was a treat for the audience to hear something entertaining and novel, after listening to much nonsense and trash.


Rochester (N. Y.) Democrat and Chronicle
A marvelous combination of sweetness and melody.


Painesville (O.) Republican
Roney's Boys sang into instant favor and their concert was one of the most wonderful ever given in Painesville.  They entranced, amazed and bewildered the audience.  Boys of ten, twelve and thirteen sang like professionals; they played the chimes, the violin and flute, and the audience went wild with admiration.  Painesville will remember Professor Henry B. Roney and his Boys and send up a unanimous request for their return next season.



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