Apollo Concert Company and Bell Ringers

              APOLLO CONCERT COMPANY
and BELL RINGERS

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HAMMERSMITH ENORAVING CO., MILWAUKEE



APOLLO CONCERT COMPANY AND BELL RINGERS

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THE Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers is offered in response to a persistent call from the most experienced and discriminating committees for a company of strictly high-class musicians and entertainers, capable of putting on a program of great variety and superior quality.  A careful consideration of the personnel of the company, their long and successful concert experience, the instrumentation (which includes legitimate instruments only) in solos and splendid ensemble work, the vocal selections, readings, etc., will convince the thoughtful buyer that the Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers will attract large audiences and please them greatly.  The press of many of the best lyceum cities of this country uniformly attest the splendid satisfaction given by their entertainment to crowded houses.  We will simply add a few words concerning the individual members of the company and the program they give.

MR. ARTHUR WELLS is a cultured musician and worthy of a place among professionals of highest degree, a splendid banjo soloist and saxaphone player, an experienced teacher of Banjo, mandolin and guitar, and has had ten full years experience in lyceum and concert work with The Swiss Bell Ringers;The Asetceam Trio;The Wells-Greenawalt Musical Company and others.  His banjo playing is a pleasing feature and always elicits an enthusiastic encore.  Music has been his profession for sixteen years and he has entertained in almost every state in the Union and throughout Canada.


Arthur Wells proved an expert in playing the banjo.
Daily Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana.


Arthur Wells, in his banjo solo, gave evidence that he is master of the instrument he played.—
Free Press, London, Ontario.


The banjo solo by Arthur Wells was a novel feature which took well.—
Daily Repository, Canton, Ohio.


The banjo work of Arthur Wells was deftly done in an artistic manner.—
News.  Birmingham, Alabama.


Arthur Wells made a decided hit with his banjo solos.—
Express Lititz, Pennsylvania.

MR. G. E. HOLMES has had many years of successful concert experience as cornet and flute soloist with various concert companies and bands, and for three years was teacher of cornet, trombone, flute, saxaphone and harmony.  He is a well known and successful composer of band and orchestra music, having up to the present time nearly one hundred compositions published and on the market.  Among his most successful, are the following: The Prospector March, Queen of Flowers Waltzes, Little Ione Waltzes, Lights and Shadows Caprice, and Primrose Intermezzo.


G. E. Holmes is a fine saxaphone player as well as a most excellent flute soloist.  He is a composer of great prominence.—
News, Belle Plains, Kansas.


G. E. Holmes' flute solo was one of the main features of the evening.—
Press, Freeport, Illinois.


The audience was treated to several compositions by G. E. Holmes.  They were descriptive in character as is indicated by the titles The St. Vitus Dance Lights and Shawods Caprice and Primrose Intermezzo—
Enquire, Battle Creek, Michigan.


G. E. Holmes flute and cornet solos were fine.—
News, Eudora, Kansas.


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Canton (O.) Repository
—The Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers entertained 2000 people at the Tabernacle Friday evening in the People's Lecture Course under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A.  Some time before the performance commenced the men in the box office had to quit selling tickets, as the rear aisle had become filled with people who were willing to stand throughout the performance.  Every member of the company performed his part well.  The formal program was doubled on account of encores.  The company handled the bells with ease in all their numbers, whether sacred, patriotic or pastoral.  The rhythm of familiar tunes was clearly detected amid the clanging of the bells.


Hutchison (Kan.) Daily News
—The Methodist Church was filled to overflowing last night to hear the concert of the Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers.  By some the concert was deemed the most popular number of the course, and if enthusiastic and continued encores are indicative of it, then it undoubtedly was, for every number called forth such applause that responses were necessary, and at times three or four.  This company certainly gives an interesting program, with sufficient variety to please all.


Dexter (Mo.) Messenger
—The Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers, which gave an entertainment at the College Chapel last Saturday evening, is the best combination of musical talent that was ever in Dexter.  The program consisted of solos on banjo, cornet, trombone and saxophone, also quartettes, duets, bell ringing, readings and vocal selections.  The combination gave a very pleasing and attractive program.  A return date will doubtless give them a crowded house.  They are all finished performers.


Coldwater (Mich.) Reporter
—The sweet-toned bells and the harmony of the saxophones and stringed instruments held the audience fascinated at the opera house last evening.  Seldom is it the privilege of a Coldwater audience to listen to such beautiful and novel music as that given by the Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers, and the repeated encores given them testified to the excellent talent displayed.  The opening number was a selection with the bells, and the sweet sounds which they succeeded in bringing out of these, as well as their graceful and deft manipulation of them, deserved the enthusiastic encores which they received.  The audience went away feeling grateful to the Apollos for a delightful evening's entertainment.


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MR. CLAY SMITH began his musical career as guitar soloist with the Curtis-Graves Mandolin Club at the Worlds' Fair, Chicago, 1893, and since that date has been steadily engaged in concert work.  He has appeared as soloist with different clubs and orchestras, and he has made such a thorough study of this unusual instrument, that for some time he gave full evening recitals.  In 1895 he took up the study of trombone, under G. Simons and A. F. Weldon (World's greatest teachers of wind instruments).  For the past ten years he has appeared as trombone soloist with many of our best bands and orchestras.  Notably—Fourth Reg. Band, during the St. Louis Exposition.  Boston-Montana Band; Ben Hur Military Band; Norton's Symphony Orchestra; Ringling Bros. Band; N. H. D. V. S. Gov. Band and Carl Clair's Concert Band in a tour of the entire U.S., Mexico and Canada.  Mr. Smith now owns and uses the trombone which won first prize at the St. Louis Exposition, for tone, quality and finish.  It is a beautiful instrument of 18K gold.


Norwalk (O.) Leader.
—Among the numbers that delighted, was the trombone solo by Clay Smith, who thoroughly enraptured his audience with his encore Nevin's Rosary.


Galesburg (Ill.) Evening Mail.
—The trombone solo—Down On The Farm with variations played by Clay Smith proved one of the favorites of the evening.


Sleepy Eye (Minn.) Press.
—The artistic number on the program was the trombone solo, by Clay Smith.  If there is any better trombonist in the Lyceum, we have yet to hear them.  He stands in a class by himself.


Princeton (Ind.) Clarion.
—The entertainment by the Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers proved a success.  The whole program was rendered in excellent manner and the audience was highly entertained.  The program was of such variety and quality that it was sure to please the most fastidious.  It would be a difficult matter to state which numbers were the favorites.  The bell ringing was certainly admirable, and the sweet music of the Bells, Bells, Bells, was given a new meaning and a new understanding.


MRS. ALTA R. WELLS is an accomplished pianist, a graduate of the Chicago Musical College, and has had several years experience in lyceum and concert work.  Her piano accompaniments are one of the strong features of the entertainment.  In addition to her work as accompanist she performs an important part in the saxophone quartette, and bell ringing.


For the meritorious character of all the music, due credit must be given to Mrs. Alta Wells whose accompaniments on the piano were played with expression which showed both skill and taste.—
Columbia (S. C.) The State.


Mrs. Alta Wells, the accompanist, took the lead of the company in artistic merit.  Although, as usual, with accompanists, her work could not draw forth the acknowledgement it deserved.—
Grand Rapids (Mich.) Evening Press.


The efforts of Mrs. Wells in the role of accompanist, were enjoyed as much as any single feature of the program.—
Tampa (Fla.) Daily Herald.


Mrs. Wells is an accompanist of great merit.—
Evansville (Ind.) Courier.


Mrs. Alta R. Wells is an excellent accompanist and is one of the performers who is always busy.—
Waynesburg (Pa.) Independent.


The work of Mrs. Alta Wells as accompanist was highly commendable.—
Lewiston (Maine) Evening Journal.


Mrs. Alta R. Wells is one of the most accomplished accompanists that has ever appeared here.—
West Plains (Mo.) Journal.


Mrs. Alta R. Wells as accompanist, has mastery of her art.—
Burlington (Vt.) Free Press.


Mrs. Wells is an excellent accompanist and won the hearts of her audience from the first.—
Galesburg (Ills.) Republican Register.


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MISS COYLA M. SPRING, as a reader has had successful experience in platform work.  Her ability to interpret the best literature, combined with a charming personality, has placed her among readers of highest rank.  She is a graduate of the Chicago Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Art, and followed this with a post graduate course in the American Conservatory of Chicago.  Her reading of the Cup Scene from Ingomar is especially well given as is also her rendition of the Lion and the Mouse.

As a vocalist, Miss Spring is exceptionally gifted.  She possesses a sweet mezzo soprano voice and uses it with good effort both in her singing and readings.


Miss Spring was called back again and again in both her vocal selections and readings.  The composure with which she sang song after song when the lights had gone out (The lights failed and the building was in total darkness for several minutes) was greatly appreciated by all.—
Aberdeen, (S. Dak.) Aberdeen Daily American.


As a vocalist and reader, Miss Spring charmed her audience in every number and was a favorite throughout the evening.—
Atchison, (Kans.) Daily Champion.


Miss Spring proved to be a charming reader.  Her interpretation of the Cup Scene from Ingomar was realistic and delightful.—
Morris, (Ill.) The Daily Herald.


The vocal selections and readings by Miss Spring were exceptionally good.  The only fault with her readings was that they were too few.  Miss Spring possesses a splendid personality and has a very finely cultivated soprano voice.—
Leavenworth, (Kans.) The Leavenworth Times.


The vocal numbers of Miss Spring were rendered in a manner that brought appreciative response from the audience.—
Lebanon, (Ind.) Daily Reporter.


Miss Spring's readings and vocal selections were enthusiastically received being encored two and three times to which she pleasantly responded.—
Alva, (Okla.) Daily Review-Courier.


Miss Spring gave several readings which were excellent.—
Garnett, (Kans.) Evening Review.



The best of the kind that has ever appeared in the city.  That they are all artists, the audience is left no opportunity to doubt after their first selection.  They are proficient on every instrument and were enthusiastically received by the audience.—
Milwaukee Daily News.


The music of the Saxaphone Quartette was new and novel.  The different tones and musical expressions were brought out with remarkable skill.—
Adrian, Mich., Times.


One of the best companies ever heard here, playing classical music.—
Columbus, Ohio, State Journal.


One of the best combinations seen at the Dominion Theatre was the Apollos.  They play a number of instruments and all well.—
Winnipeg, Canada, Manitoba Free Press.


The entertainment given by the Apollos was excellent and never has there been a company of musicians who have appeared in this city, who sprung so quickly into the hearts of their audience.  A great variety of instruments were used to complete the splendid program.—
Courier, Evansville, Ind.


The Apollos play great stuff so well it seems simple.—
Ralph Parlette.


The entertainment given by the Apollos was exceptionally fine.  The program was so well arranged that the varied offerings constituted a most delightful entertainment.—
Urbana, Ohio, Citizen.


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A SPECIMEN PROGRAM.
PART 1


1
Swiss Hand Bells—March
Under the Double Eagle
Wagner


2
Mandolin, Flute and Guitar—Overture
Poet and Peasant
Suppe


3
Hagar (Costumed Reading)
Margaret Puckett
Nickolson


4
Trombone Solo—Grand Concert Polka
Sea Flower
Clay Smith
Alta R. Wells, Accompanist
Rollinson


5
Flute Solo—Concert Polka
G E. Holmes
J. S. Cox


6
Saxaphone Quartette—The Celebrated Overture
Lustspiel
Kela Bela





INTERMISSION
PART II


1
Swiss Hand Bells—Descriptive
The Wayside Chapel
Wilson


2
Vocal Solo—A Gypsy Maiden, I
Margaret Puckett
Parker


3
Banjo Solo—L Infanta
Arthur Wells
Gregory


4
Brass Trio—March—The Courtier
G. E. Holmes


5
Reading—Selections from Riley
Margaret Puckett



6
Saxaphone Quartette—Miserere from II Trovatore
Verdi


7
Swiss Hand Bells—Pilgrim's Chorus from Tannehauser
National Air
Wagner






The Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers, which gave an entertainment at the Normal last Saturday evening, was far superior to any musical number given in this city since the lecture course was organized.  The program consisted of solos on banjo, trombone, and flute, also saxaphone quartettes, bell ringing, reading and vocal selections Every member of the company were artists, and their program was thoroughly appreciated by the large audience.  Should the Apollos ever return, they will be greeted with a crowded house.—
Alva, Okla., Courier.


The Apollos gave the best performance along the musical line ever given in this city.—
Poplar Bluffs, Mo., Daily Republican.


The program given by the Apollos, was rendered in a creditable manner and was of such variety and quality that it was sure to please the most fastidious audience.—
Sidney, Ohio., Daily Republican.


The work of The String Trio was the feature of the evening, their rendition of the difficult overture, Poet and Peasant, on mandolin, flute and guitar, being quite remarkable.—
Daily News, Hutchinson, Kansas.


The trio, mandolin, flute and harp-guitar were roundly applauded for the manner in which they played the Poet and Peasant overture.—
Nashua, New Hampshire Telegram.


The Saxaphone Quartette brought down the house.—
Lamar, Mo., Republican.


The selection from Jolly Robbers, played on the mandolin, flute and harp-guitar was the most popular ensemble number of the evening.—
Newark, Ohio, Advocate.





Pontiac (Mich.) Daily Press
—The Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers thoroughly pleased the largest audience that has greeted any number of the People's Popular Lecture Course this season.


Watertown (N. Y.) Standard
—An audience which completely filled Washington Hall last night was highly entertained by the Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers, which filled the third number of the popular Y. M. C. A. entertainment course and gave one of the best concerts ever given in Watertown.  The program was filled with good numbers from start to finish, and encores were plentiful.  The whole program was up to the high standard of excellence which has heretofore characterized the Y. M. C. A. courses.


London (Ont.) Advertiser
—The second number of the Popular Concert Course at the Auditorium was marked by the usual large attendance last night.  A delightful program was supplied by the Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers, an organization of musicians who individually and collectively won the highest favors from the audience, which showed its appreciation in the heartiness and frequency of encores, every number being greeted with one or more recalls.


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Auburn (N. Y.) Argus
—The Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers gave a very delightful entertainment last night in the R. R. Y. M. C. A. Hall.  A most interesting program was given, which consisted of solos, saxophone selections, bell ringing, readings and vocal solos.


Lynn (Mass.) Item
—Lovers of music were entertained Thursday evening at the Y. M. C. A. Hall.  The entertainment was furnished by the Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers.  Long before time for the entertainment to begin the capacity of the hall had been reached and extra chairs were brought and placed in the aisles, but there was still a large number who were not able to gain admittance.  The work of the Apollo's as entertainers has rarely been excelled in this city.


Tallahassee (Fla.) Daily Capital
—The Apollo Quintette and Bell Ringers gave an excellent performance at the opera house last night.  Standing room was at a premium.  The large audience was highly pleased with what was considered one of the most interesting and enjoyable entertainments ever given in Tallahasse, and the event was a grand success from every standpoint.

ARTHUR C. COIT
President

LOUIS J. ALBER
General Manager

THE
COIT LYCEUM
BUREAU

CLEVELAND O.