Montgomery Oratorio: A large singing ensemble entertained in the town’s early years
In the late 19th century, there were a number of social clubs and organizations in Montgomery. One of those was called Montgomery Oratorio, a large singing group that performed at various local events.
Their founding was documented in The Williamsport Sun and Banner, “A meeting of the recently organized Montgomery Oratorio was held in the rear of Sterner’s meat market Saturday night. It was decided to rent Zeller’s hall in which to hold future meetings. A committee presented a list of 78 of the town’s singing young folks to who invitations will be sent and the first regular meeting will be held in Zeller’s hall next Wednesday evening. The society will then be fully launched. A. H. Hanst has been chosen musical director” on Nov. 10, 1896.
Within a few weeks of the Oratorio’s founding, plans for their first concert were already underway. The Pennsylvania Grit reported that the upcoming concert would feature the one hundred and third Psalm, along with some other songs that weren’t specified. The plans were to have their first performance during the winter of 1896-1897, according to a Dec. 13, 1896 publication.
The society performed “The H.M.S. Pinafore” at some point in 1896, but there was very little information about it. The Muncy Luminary and Lycoming County Advertiser made a passing mention about in 1897, but it was so popular that they gave a second performance of the show on June 25, 1897.
In December, the group’s director was presented with an elaborate gift. “At the last meeting of the Montgomery Oratorio a handsome baton was presented to the musical director, Mr. A. H. Hanst, by the firm of Housel & Baker. The presentation address was made by Mr. N. E. Sterner,” according to the Pennsylvania Grit, Dec. 27, 1896.
Housel & Baker was a music store on South Main Street. They occupied the building that is now the Montgomery Lions Club Hall. Their inventory included pianos, organs, and victrolas.
The Muncy Luminary and Lycoming County Advertiser stated that the Lycoming County Farmer’s Institute had met in Montgomery. “The evening session was opened by the Montgomery Oratorio Society in a song entitled, “All Among the Barley,” on March 5, 1897.
The group performed for the Lycoming County Sunday School Association when it met in Montgomery. The two-day event began on April 29, 1897. They performed “Glory to God in the Highest” along with some local church choirs. “Old time hymns were sung, such as All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, Onward Christian Soldiers, and To the Work. These were participated in by the large audience and the spirit of God was manifest in the service.” It was reported that the performance was held in the opera house according to The Williamsport Sun and Banner, April 30, 1897.
On June 25, 1897, the Montgomery Oratorio Society gave a well-received performance of “The Pirates of Penzance” in Montgomery in the opera house. The one-night only performance was reported to be “a big hit” by the Pennsylvania Grit. It was stated that, “The play was pronounced even better than ‘Pinafore’ and was witnessed by a full house. By request it was repeated tonight. The society will go to Muncy Tuesday evening where ‘The Pirates’ will be given in the Mozley Opera House” on June 27, 1897.
The Muncy Luminary and Lycoming County Advertiser wrote in the June 25, 1897, edition, “The of Penzance: Gilbert & Sullivan’s opera will be produced in Mozley’s Opera House by the Montgomery Oratorio Society. After considerable trouble Mr Mosley, manager of the Opera House has secured the services of the Montgomery Oratorio Society to render that most delightful opera by Gilbert & Sullivan, “The Pirates,” under the able leadership of Mr. A H Hanst. The date has been decided upon, and it will be given on Tuesday evening, June 29th. The society last year produced H M S Pinafore at Montgomery with such a degree of success that they were obliged to repeat it, and “The Pirates” will be given in the same elaborate manner. Miss Harriet B. Woods, of Danville, who takes the part of Mable, is a soloist of noted merit, having received her musical education abroad, and her rendition of Mable will alone be worth the price of admission. The society is composed of 65 members, and with full chorus and orchestra, will undoubtedly put upon the stage of the Opera House the most elaborate muscial production that has yet appeared there. It will be an event that no Muncyite should miss.”
While there was great excitement about the performance that was scheduled to take place in Muncy, there was no further records of the Montgomery Oratorio Society in any of the available historical sources. The fate of the Montgomery Oratorio Society is a mystery.