r sing out of
the order agreed upon.

Arranging the Program.

If the musicale is to be entirely professional, much trouble will be
saved by seeking some prominent musician, and with him arrange the
program, and letting him act for the hostess in the matter.

A professional artist should not be kept beyond the time agreed for,
neither should he be urged to render selections entirely different, or
largely in excess of those arranged for. The hostess should express
her pleasure, and may request some little favor. Applause is
allowable, but it must be within limits.

A courteous reception must be accorded to all performers by those who
desire their talents. The hostess should see that the piano is
carefully tuned and not keyed too high.

It is customary to commence with a piece of instrumental music,
followed by solos, duets, quartets, etc., with instrumental music
between.

A successful musicale can be held with the piano alone for music, an
accompanist, and a tenor and soprano of note, but very often a violin
is added, and sometimes a mandolin orchestra and four or more singers
vary the program. Professional singers and musicians usually leave
when their numbers are over, in order to protect their throats from
night air and the strain of conversing.

Guests should arrive early so that the confusion of entrance and
taking seats will be over before the music begins. If late, they
should wait until the number then in progress is finished before
taking their places. The singular impression, so common everywhere,
that at all society gatherings it is much more genteel to appear late
upon the scene than at the time appointed, has less reason to justify
it when a musicale is the entertainment than at any other
entertainment or society event, except a dinner. Music, interrupted by
noise, is a failure. The cards of invitation are after this fashion:

[Illustration:

_Mrs. Chandos Miller,_

_At Home,_

_Thursday, June fifth, at eight o'clock._

_25 Westmoreland Street._

_Music._]

The programs are usually written instead of printed, and are sometimes
hand-painted and ribbon-bedecked, and again they are engraved on
dainty cards. They are frequently enclosed with the invitations.

If dancing is included, this is the formula:

[Illustration:

_Mrs. Chandos Miller,_

_At Home,_

_Thursday, June fifth, at eight o'clock._

_25 Westmoreland Street._

_Music._

_Dancing at eleven._]

If the musicale is