“The first twelve rows of singers were women, dressed in white. Above them were twelve rows of men, with a gardenia-like spot of girls, members of the children’s chorus, pinned, it seemed in their midst.” * * * * * “Alexander Van Rensselaer presented a wreath for the orchestra. It was inscribed ‘To Leopold Stokowski in commemoration of the first performance of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony in America, March 2nd, 1916.’ MR. VAN RENSSELAER’S REMARKS “In presenting the wreath, Mr. Van Rensselaer said: “‘The directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association feel that the presentation of this Eighth Symphony of Mahler this evening, for the first time in America, marks an epoch in the musical history of Philadelphia to which no other event is comparable. “‘This occasion is memorable not only because the Mahler Symphony is such an extremely difficult work, but because we have here in Philadelphia been able to follow out the precise instructions of the composer in welding into one vast instrument these great choral and orchestral forces which are here assembled. These two choruses of 400 trained voices each, together with the large chorus of boys and girls selected from the best choirs of this city, the eight soloists of metropolitan reputation, and the augmented orchestra of 120 instruments, all have been trained into one vast harmonious instrument by you. “‘We of Philadelphia are indebted for the production of this great work to you, our brilliant and talented conductor. It was you who first conceived the idea more than two years ago of producing this work; it was you who made the arrangements with the publishers and guaranteed to them that we would produce it in the manner indicated by the composer and obtained from them the rights for the first performance in this country; it was you who chose and trained Chorus No. 1 and intrusted Chorus No. 2 to the able direction of Henry Gordon Thunder, to whom our thanks are also due; it was you who arranged with the best choirmasters of Philadelphia to train this large body of boys and girls in their respective parts and it was you who brought together these large agencies and trained them in the final ensemble of this great work. “‘We feel that not only the musical public of Philadelphia, but the entire city, owe you a debt of gratitude that never can be repaid. And as a testimonial from the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and as an expression from them of their thanks to you for the successful completion of this grand work, I have pleasure in presenting the victor’s crown of laurel, made in perpetual bronze.’ REPLY OF MR. STOKOWSKI