Evening star. [volume], May 08, 1937, Page B-4, Image 18

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Mothers Are Helpful
In Musical Education
Difference Between Success and Failure May
Be Traced to Influence of Parent Whose
Special Day Has Recognition.
By Alice Ever smart.
THE dedication of one day of the year to honoring the mothers of the
Nation must appeal in special fashion to musicians. Were it not
for the faith and encouragement of their mothers, many of the great
geniuses of music would have found their hard road to success almost
unbearable. But throughout the history of music, time and again we are
conscious of the role that the mothers have played in guiding the talent of
their children to a superlative devel-C
opment. It is touching to note that
many times it was but the memory of
his mother that cast its influence over
a composer's life, and the thought of
her was the solace that sustained him
through adversity. If we look into the
history of the great musical personal
ities, we will invariably find that in
some way the mothers were the domi- i
hating factors in keeping alive their
Inspiration.
In those early days there was no
Nation-wide recognition of the uplift
ing influence of the mothers of any
great men. Today, with such recogni
tion becoming a happy and sacred
pleasure, there is also laid upon the
mothers of the growing generation a
duty and a standard not thought nec
essary by those earlier women. In no
respect is this duty so imperative as
in the realm of music, where the
growth and progress of an entire na
tion depend on the attitude of mothers
toward music. For without the help
of the mothers, whose co-operation in
laying the foundation of musical cul
ture is absolutely imperative, the pres
ent-day child has small chance of be
coming the well-grounded musician
that Is valuable to the cause of music.
■pOR a child to insist on studying
* music, and to apply itself assid
uously to assimulating every detail of
Instruction, is indeed a rarity. But
the experience of mothers, who, desir
ing that their children know some
thing of music, find the task of bring
ing this desire to a happy climax en
tirely too wearing, is an everyday af
fair. The numerous plans for chil
dren's activities, the many interesting
outside diversions that a child finds
today, operate strongly against the
slow” study of music, no matter how
hard parents may try to further it.
Many mothers, while acknowledging
that it would be pleasant to have their
children able to play, feel that, after
all, there are more important things
In life than music.
Right here, they are wrong, as many
a child has lived to tell his parents.
How often do we hear some one say:
“If my mother had only insisted that
I practice when I was a child, but
now it is too late to begin.” The small
tragedies of such reproaches nmst'
often trouble a mother's heart. But j
the truth of the whole situation lies
in these words: “If mother had only
insisted." There are several things
that can be best done in childhood,
and one of these is the acquiring of
a technique on some musical instru
ment that will allow the individual
his personal satisfaction in the mak
ing of music. It is not necessary to
think of a child as a future virtuoso,
but only as a person who will have an
avocation in life of a cultural nature.
It is a common occurrence to find
physicians, lawyers, scientists and
others in specialized walks in life who
are musicians of real understanding.
Their chief source of refreshment is
in music, and grateful they must be
now that some one in the family
was firm enough in their childhood
to see that they spent a certain time
practicing. But the responsibility of
parents does not end with this policing
of practice time, but extends to the
point of seeing that the study of music
is made interesting and that no time
Is lost in wasteful effort. A child's
attention can be concentrated on the
many alluring aspects of music so
that the bitter dose of acquiring a
reasonable amount of facility in per
formance is not noticeable.
PROGRESSIVE teachers have real
ized that music can be made
interesting for a child and have de
vised means by which it takes on
another play form. The children
nearing adolescence are less fortunate,
for by that time they are supposed
to be ready to shoulder some of the
responsibility of fitting themselves as
musicians. But the dreariness and
hardship of this can be overcome by
the loving sharing of all work by the
parent. By this time, with all that
has been written, said and proven
about the importance of some kind
of musical knowledge in every per
son's life, it is not necessary to point
out the many advantages that will
follow the sacrifice of time on the part
of the parent.
Recently the Washington Music
Teachers’ Association had the privilege
of entertaining the noted Frencn
pianist and teacher, Nadia Boulanger.
Mile. Boulanger, who devoted many
hours of her short stay in this country
to special classes at the Washington
Coliege of Music, gave an interesting
and informal talk for the teachers.
In the many instructive things which
she brought forward for their con
sideration she went back time and
again to stressing the importance of
laying a solid foundation in music.
Particularly interested in children,
she reiterated the advisability of start
ing children in the study of music at
a very early age. While using 5 years
as a medium period, she thinks that
4 is not too young, and that certainly
8 years is the limit. She admitted
that most children find music study
a tedious procedure between the years
of 4 and 8, but held that "it is better
that they should be bored than to
have to start them at 20 or 25 to
study elementary solfeggio."
I
S“ has one arresting question for
older children which cannot help
but arouse their thinking capacity:
"What have you done that pleased you
or displeased you?” According to the
answer she can clear up and direct
their understanding so as to form a
guide for future use. She approaches
all teaching problems with optimism
and a sense of humor, which undoubt
edly would appeal to a child. The
viewpoint of this celebrated French
musician, whose long success as both
soloist and teacher has never lessened
her desire for further growth, was
stimulating to those who are active’m
promoting the appreciation of music.
Mile. Boulanger is another example
of how helpful a mother can be in the
matter of musical education. Although
particularly fortunate in belonging to
a family famous for generations in
French musical life, her own problems
were solved by the help of her mother,
an artist of recognized attainments,
and her noted sister Lili, W'ho in her
short span of life was already famous
as a composer. With their advice and
encouragement, her work has assumed
a wide influence on the development of
many other renowned artists, notably
Walter Piston, Aaron Copeland and
Roy Harris, who were students of Mile.
Boulanger.
Perhaps, in some future Mother’s
day celebration, special mention will
be made of the mother of some great
American composer or artists who by
her loving sympathy had contributed
to the musical growth of this country.
JUNIOR CONTEST
IN TWO SESSIONS
pOR the Federation of Music Clubs’
junior contest, to be held at Bar
ker Hall, Y. W. C. A., on Saturday,
May IB, so many entries have been
received that two sessions will be held.
In the afternoon, beginning at 1:30
o'clock, the contests for violin, voice,
piano ensemble and chamber music
“Will be held. In the evening, be
ginning at 7:30 o’clock, all piano solo
contestants will be heard. Each con
testant is to rece’ve a rating certifi
cate, with an additional constructive
criticism of the judges, and all re
ceiving a superior rating of over 90
per cent will receive a national cer
tificate from the National Federation
of Music Clubs, undei whose sponsor
ship the local junior contest is held.
The junior counselors who thus far
have announced entries of pupils for
the junior contest are as follows:
Mrs. George F. Williams, Ger
trude Effenbach, Mrs. B. J. Hartlage,
Elena Orivella, Thelma Callahan,
Camill Allensworth, Rebecca Chand
ler, Frances Gutelius Smith, Arsenio
Ralon, Ruth Gardner, Virginia Bestor,
Mrs. C. C. Burke, Mrs. Albert Jones,
Carrie Sanders, Lucy Boyer, Esther
Linkins. Florence Shelley Nielsen and
Marie H. Martins. The public is
cordially invited to attend the contest.
-•
Choirs to Hold Festival.
'J'HE fourth season of the Mountain
Choir Festival, under the direc
tion of Rev. Felix G. Robinson, is set
for Sunday, July 18, in the large
amphitheater at Mountain Lake Park,
Md. The quota of choirs is already
near completion.
The outdoor procession at 7 o’clock
In the evening will be followed imme
diately by the Choral Eucharist. Dr.
John Finley Williamson, great leader
of choral music, will be present to
conduct, the massed choirs. Harold
Vinoent Milligan, organist and choir
master of Riverside Church, New
York City, will be the adjudicator at
th'- contest and Dr. William Powell
Twaddell of Durham, N. C.—out
standing musical leader of the South—
Will again have a part in the festival.
-« , -
Joint Recital.
Edith Hoffman Jones, soprano, and
Howard Moore, baritone, will appear
In joint recital on Tuesday evening
at 8:30 o'clock at the Washington
Club, accompanied by Evelyn Wells.
Arias and duets from Mozart’s "Don
Giovanni” and Verdi’s "La Traviata”
and “II Trovatore" will be a feature
of the program, in addition to which
Mr. Moore will offer a group of Rus
sian songs and Mrs. Jones will sing
Arne’s "The Lass With the Delicate
Air,” Ganz's "A Memory” and Rach
maninoff's "The Cajpfleld.”
ARTISTS ENGAGED
FOR NEXT SEASON
CONTI BERENGUER, co-spon
sor last season of Beren-Brook
Artists concert attractions, announces
a series of monthly recitals to be held
in the Wardman Park Theater start
ing next November. The series brings
three new artists to Washington and
engages for a second appearance here
the sensational Spanish dancers—
Paco and Juanita Cansino—who
scored a brilliant success in their
Washington debut last November.
Opening the season will be the
Metropolitan String Ensemble, a
quartet of distinguished musicians
from the orchestra of the Metropoli
tan Opera Company, assisted by Ame
lia- Conti, solo harpist of the Metro
politan Opera, and Sylvia Grazzini,
operatic coloratura soprano. This en
semble made a very successful debut
at Carnegie Hall in April, under the
management of A. Conti Berenguer.
The second new attraction presents
Margarita Salvi, Spanish coloratura
soprano, and Federico Longas, pianist.
Miss Salvi has appeared with great
success in all the leading opera houses
of Europe, and next season Is sched
uled to sing several lyric operas in
Chicago with the celebrated tenor—
Tito Schipa. Mr. Longas is a prize
pupil of Granados and well known as
a composer. He has appeared many
times as assisting artist with Tito
Schipa, with whom he is now making
a concert tour of the Far East.
The third concert presents the well
known radio artist—Robert Weede,
baritone of the Radio City Music Hall.
Mr. Weede makes his debut this
month at the Metropolitan Opera,
singing the role of Tonio in ‘'Pag
liacci.”
Further information about this
series may be secured at Kitt’s, 1330
G street.
“HORA NOVISSIMA”
BY CHURCH CHOIR
'J'HE oratorio, “Hora Novisaima,” by
Horatio Parker, will be sung by
the quartet and choir of Hamline
Methodist Church, Sixteenth and Al
lison streets, on Sunday afternoon,
May 23, at 4:30 o’clock, under the
direction of John H. Marville.
This composition, the only one
by an American composer included
among the standard oratories, has not
been sung in Washington for 20 years.
The public is invited.
Slow—Danger!
A recent study of 24,000 traffic vio
lations in Massachusetts indicated
one-fourth were “failing to slow down
at intersections.” If drivers would
make a practice of slowing down and
having their cars under control at
intersections, there would not be the
need for so many "nuisance" STOP
and OO signals. ry
i
Two Singers and Director Contributing to Local Events
Federation
Hears Local
Orchestra
—
Kindler Appearance
With Symphony
Made Feature.
JjELEGATES from 46 States to the
biennial meeting of the National
Federation of Music Clubs unquali
fiedly indorsed the National Symphony
Orchestra of Washington follow
ing its appearance in three concerts
last week in Indianapolis, Ind. These
concerts, two of which were broad
cast over coast-to-coast networks,
placed Dr. Hans Kindler, conduc
tor, and his orchestra in the lime
light of a festival participated in by
many leading personalities in the
world of music and on which musi
cians and music lovers of the entire
Nation focused attention.
Typical of the comment on the or
chestra's programs is a review writ
ten by James Thrasher of the India
napolis Times, who saw in the Na
tional Symphony from Washington an
organization truly speaking for the
musical culture of the Nation.
“The National Symphony Orches
tra is little known in this vicinity,’’
WTote Thrasher. "To be sure, we
realized that Washington had a fairly
young symphonic group, which already
had accomplished much, and that it
was headed by a man who had for
saken a place among the world’s fore
most cellists in favor of the baton.
But the concert had not progressed
far before the audience realized that
here was a highly proficient group
headed by a conductor of distinction.
"Dr. Kindler is a thoroughly
schooled, authoritative and dynamic
director. His appearance is command
ing. his beat incisive, his knowledge
of the music complete.”
“Spring Pastorale,", by Mary Howe,
Washington composer, and excerpts
from Moussorgsky's "Boris Godounov”
were "admirably played.” according to
the reviewer, and "conductor and or
chestra repeatedly acknowledged a
prolonged ovation.”
Equally enthusiastic Corbin Patrick,
music critic of the Indianapolis Star,
declared: "Kindler presented what is
undoubtedly the outstanding young
orchestra in the United States today.
The National Symphony not only is
young as an institution—it was found
ed in 1931—but its ranks are filled
with young musicians w’ho have de
veloped to a high degree of proficiency
as orchestral players.”
Describing the orchestra’s third
concert, on Thursday night, April 29—
the program which brought the con
vention to a close—Walter Whitworth,
music reviewer for the Indianapolis
News, said, “The orchestra played
superbly. It played a good bit of
American music, too, and most of it
was excellent. * • * The convention
closed excitingly.”
On tne nnai concert or. jtmuin
conducted an orchestral program in
which were several American works.
One of these was “Circles of Wash
ington,” the orchestral suite by B.
Deane Shure of Washington. Mary
Howe, another Washington composer,
was also represented on the program.
Mr. Shure attended the convention
and was presented to the audience by
Dr. Kindler following the performance
of his work. Hundreds of Washing
tonians followed the orchestra’s per
formances in Indianapolis by tuning
their radio sets in on the broadcast
portion of both night concerts.
On its way back to Washington the
orchestra received an enthusiastic re
ception at the University of West Vir
ginia, in Morgantown, where Dr. Kind
ler and the players stopped for a con
cert April 30.
Back in the Capital the National
Symphony faces one more engage
ment before disbanding for the season.
Friday night, May 14, it will meet in
Constitution Hall to take the place on
the air of the Philadelphia Orchestra
in a Nation-wide broadcast. Dr.
Kindler will conduct a 30-minute con
cert that begins at 9 p.m.
The program, Dr. Kindler an
nounced, will include two sixteenth
century Dutch tunes, arranged by Dr.
Kindler; the “Love Music” from Mous
sorgsky’s “Boris Godounov”; “Dance
of the Blessed Spirits” and “Musette,”
by Gluck-Mottl, and the waltz,
“Voices of Spring,” by Strauss. The
concert is one of a series for which
the Philadelphia Orchestra has been
engaged, but that orchestra found It
impossible to present a broadcast this
week.
Goldfish Profit Poor Farm.
LOS ANGELES OP).—Thirty-six
goldfish in 1930 were placed in a >ond
on the lawn of the Rancho Los Amigos,
the county poor farm.
The fish, well fed. Increased to 436,
too many for the pond.
<o t» .urpny W> aaU.
Margarita Salvi. at left. Spanish coloratura soprano, tvill be
presented in concert next season with Federico Longas, pianist,
on the series sponsored by A. Conti Berenguer. Right: Dorothy
Seegar, soprano, who will give an unusual program at Wardman
Park Theater on Monday, May 17, and below, Dr. Robert Howe
Harmon, director of the George Washington University Glee
Club, which will give its annual Spring concert at the Willard
Hotel on Thursday evening. Marjory League, soprano, will be
the soloist.
G. W. GLEE CLUB
SPRING CONCERT
'J'HE annual Spring concert of the
George Washington University
Glee Club will take place on Thursday
evening at 8:45, at the Willard Hotel.
With Dr. Robert Howe Harmon, di
rector of the Glee Club, conducting,
and Paul De Long Gable accompany
ing, it will present five groups of the
works of the great composers. Margery
League, soprano, will appear with the
club as assisting soloist.
The concert will open with the
“Prayer of Thanksgiving,” sung by
the men's section of the club. The
men's section will give two groups in
the course of the program; the wom
en's section, one group; the soloist,
one group, and the massed men's and
women’s choruses will present the
final group. The program will close,
as is traditional, with the singing of
the brilliant "Kamenoi Os!row” of
Rubinstein,, in which the club will be
accompanied by the BrusilofT Concert
Orchestra.
I he George Washington University
Glee Club Is known to Washington
through its annual Spring concerts,
its frequent programs at large local
gatherings, as well as over the radio,
and its appearances with the National
Symphony Orchestra. Next season,
for the third consecutive year, the
club will appear in concert with the
symphony, having been chosen to sing
the choral part in the Beethoven
"Ninth Symphony." This past Winter
it was heard with the symphony in
the Beethoven "Choral Fantasia.”
The complete program for Thursday
night follows:
"Prayer of Thanksgiving”_Traditional
"The Jolly Roger" _Roberison
"Marching Men'_ Protheroe
"Old Man Noah"--Bartholomew
The Men's Club.
"Emitte Spirltum"_ Schuetky
"Venetian Love Song"___Nevin
"Lullaby" from "Jocelyn"_Godard
"List!" The Cherubic Host"_Gaul
The Women's Club.
"Dich Theure Halle-Tannhauser"__WTagner
"Cry of Rachel”_Salter
Margery League, soprano.
"Lamp In the West"_ Parker
"The Lotus Flower"_Schumann
"Dear Land of Home”_Sibelius
"Dearest Farewell"_Traditional
The Mens Club.
National hymn _Warren
"Lo! A Voice to Heaven Sounding.”
Bortnianskl
"The Pilgrims Chorus" _Watner
"Sextette-Lucia dl Lammermoor."
Doniietti
"Kamenoi Ostrow”__Rubinstein
Combined clubs.
Accompaniment by the Bruslloff Concert
Orchestra.
-•
Audition for Members.
'T'HE Washington Choral Society,
conducted by Louis A. Potter, is
receiving many requests from choir
singers and others interested in choral
music for auditions preliminary to
becoming members of this outstanding
group. All such singers are invited
to attend the Tuesday evening audi
tions which are held each week at
7:30 p.m. in Central High School. The
regular rehearsal period follows at
8 p.m.
This week, on Tuesday night, the
society will begin work on Bach's ‘‘St.
Matthews’ Passion," which they will
rehearse throughout the next few
weeks in preparation for its presen
tation next Autumn.
Due to the tremendous interest
caused by the recent Spring Festival
concert, it is now planned by the
Executive Committee, headed by
Myron W. Whitney and Mr. Potter,
to increase the number of singers in
this chorus from 100 to 250. Weekly
rehearsals are held in Central High
School through the co-operation and
auspices of the community center
department.
Bachelor, 83, to Wed.
PORTLAND, Oreg. (£>>.—Eighty
three years of single blessedness were
enough for John Montag, so he will
wed Mrs. Lena Moser, 62, Wednesday.
"Mrs. Moser did such good work
nursing me through my illness last
Summer I fell in love with her. I
feel I cannot get along without her as
a companion," the former United
States marshal said as he obtained a
“ONE WOMAN”
SHOW OFFERED
"ONE WOMAN SHOW” will be
presented by Dorothy Seegar,
chanteuse. on Monday evening, May
17, at 8:45 o'clock at Wardman Park
Theater.
Departing from the traditional con
cert program of the singer. Miss See
gar combines the mediums of sound,
movement and costume. She portrays
11 different characters, proceeding
from the grand court lady of the
time of Louis XIV to the radical
woman of today. She delves into that
most ancient means of expression, the
language of the hands, when she per
forms the ritual of a Balinese priestess.
In her songs of the "Elegant Eighties”
and “Gay Nineties” she brings back
the lugubrious balladry of the time.
Many Washington people will re
member Miss Seegar here in the title
role of ‘ Hose Marie.” She has con
certized extensively, having made ap
pearances in this country and France
and England.
Miss Seegar will be accompanied by
Frederick Bristol, who needs no in
troduction to Washington audiences,
as he appeared here on many occasions
with Miss Lucretia Bori. Tickets are
available at Dorothy Dorsey’s Concert
Bureau, in Droop's, 1300 G street
northwest.
Concert Schedule
Tomorrow.
Mother's day program, boys,
Powell Junior High School,
Thelma Tawney, director, YWCA,
5 p.m.
Marine Band, Mother's day
service, Arlington Cemetery, 2:15
p.m.
Monday.
Benefit concert. Opportunity
House. Alexander Sklarevski, pia
nist, Pro Musica Quartet, 2001
Twenty-fourth street, 8:30 p.m.
Edwin Hughes, lecture, “Tech
nique of Interpretation at the
Piano,” Washington College of
Music.
Navy Band, Sail Loft, Navy
Yard, 11:30 am.
Marine Band, 6 p.m.
Army Band, 5 p.m.
Tuesday.
Department of Agriculture
Chorus, Robert Frederick Freund,
director, department auditorium,
8:30 p.m.
Helen Williams Brodie, piano
recital, Pierce Hall, 3 p.m.
“Punchinello,” Opera Players’
Club, Immaculate Conception
Church, Hurley Hall, 8 pm.
Edith Hoffman Jones, soprano;
Howard Moore, baritone; joint
recital, Washington Club, 8:30
p.m.
Army Band, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday.
“Punchinello,” Opera Players'
Club, Immaculate Conception
Church, Hurley Hall, 8 p.m.
Navy Band, 11:30 a.m.
Marine Band Symphony Or
chestra, Marine Barracks, 8 p.m.
Thursday.
George Washington University
Glee Clubs, Dr. Harmon, director,
Willard Hotel, 8:45 p.m.
Army Band, 3:30 p.m.
Friday.
“Punchinello,” Opera Players*
Club, Immaculate Conception
Church, Hurley Hall, 8 p.m.
Navy Band, Sail Loft, Navy
Yard, 11:30 a.m.
Marine Band, Marine Barracks,
11 a.m.
Saturday.
National Junior contest, D. C.
Federation of Music Clubs, piano
ensemble, violin, voice, 1:30 p.m.;
piano solo, 7:30 p.m.
Marine Band, May day fete,
Barney Neighborhood House, 4
p.m.
Army Band, 10:30 am. and
13:30 p.m.
Opera Guild
Of Salzburg
To Be Heard
Group of 75 Artists
Engaged Here for
Next Season.
pOR the first time in many seasons,
one of Europe's outstanding opera
companies will make a transconti
nental tour of the United States next
season. Starting early in October, the
Salzburg Opera Guild, a group of
75 artists imported intact with com
plete European casts, scenery and cos
tumes, will start their first American
tour, and Washington will see and
hear this notable troupe in mid-No
vember, when they come to Constitu
tion Hall as one of the five evening
musical attractions already announced
for next season by Dorothy Hodgkin
Dorsey.
mis celebrated opera company, wnn
a repertoire that includes Mozart's
‘Cosi Fan Tutti” and "The Goose
of Cairo," Milhaud's "The Poor
Sailor,” Ibert's "Angelique.” Rossini's
"The Matrimonial Market,” and Mon
teverdi's "The Coronation of Popea,”
has achieved international fame as
one of the most fascinating musical
features of the Salzburg festival and
the productions given in this country
will be exactly as given at Salzburg,
Vienna and other musical centers.
The Salzburg Opera Guild is a
group of singers that includes a num
ber of the finest artists on the con
tinent, who have worked together with
such perfect co-ordination and artistry
as to have accomplished the well-nigh
impossible—the opera performance
with great voices and a superlative
ensemble. A symphonic orchestra will
be a feature of the performance in
Washington.
While most of the singers of the
guild are personalities new to the
United States, two of the principal
soloists, Hertha Glatz and John
Heinz, were recently brought from
Vienna to Los Angeles by Otto Klem
perer as soloists under his baton with
the Los Angeles Orchestra and both
scored outstanding hits.
The Salzburg Opera Guild is one
of five attractions Mrs. Dorsey is pre
senting on five Tuesday evenings at
Constitution Hall during the coming
1937-38 season. The other four attrac
tions are: Rachmaninoff, pianist;
Kreisler, violinist; Gina Cigna, so
prano, and Kirsten Flagstad, soprano,
the latter two being members of the
Metropolitan Opera Association.
ORGANIST GUILD
NAMES OFFICERS
AT ITS annual meeting, held last
Monday night in the choir room
of the Church of the Epiphany, the
District of Columbia Chapter of the
American Guild of Organists elected
the following officers for the ensuing
,’ear, commencing with September:
Dean, Walter H. Nash, P. A. G. O.
(chairman); subdean, Arthur W.
Howes, jr., P. A. G. O.; secretary, Es
ther Hull Barrett (re-elected); treas
urer, Henry Bruning; registrar, Mrs.
John Milton Sylvester (re-elected);
Executive Committee, Charlotte Klein,
P. A. G. O., and Mrs. Frank Akers
Frost and John B. Wilson, A A. G. O.;
auditors, Mrs. George E. Warfield and
Percy T. Bumess, A. A. G. O.
Mr. Nash served the chapter as
dean for two years ihortly after the
close of the World War. He is organ
ist and choirmaster of St. Alban’s
Church, where he has been located for
the last several years. The Diapason
of Chicago, HI., under date of May 1,
last, lists Mr. Nash’s name as one of
three successful candidates taking the
guild's choirmaster certificate exam
ination.
The newly-elected subdean, Arthur
W. Howes, jr., F. A. G. O., is organist
and choirmaster of St. John’s Episco
pal Church, Lafayette Square. He is
comparatively a newcomer to Wash
ington, having previously been engaged
along musical lines in Philadelphia,
Pa. He held the office of subdean of
the Pennsylvania Chapter of the
American Guild of Organists, while
living in the latter city.
Mrs. John Milton Sylvester, well
known locally for a long time through
her own organization known as the
Madrigal Singers, has served the Dis
trict of Columbia Chapter as its regis
trar for more than twenty years.
The present dean, Charlotte Klein,
F. A. G. O., will continue in that
capacity until August 31.
-•
Boy Saves Pet Lamb.
Russell Liddington, 7 years old, of
Lydney, England, wearing a harness,
was lowered into a shaft to savr his
pet lamb. Bad air forced him to re
turn to the surface, but later he went
down again, and after 20 minutes
ocmpleted tha rescue. .
T
In Local Music Circles
ROBERT RUCKMAN Is pre
senting three groups of stu
dents in piano programs at
his studio next week. On
Tuesday evening Irma Norwood and
Charles Forrest Ruppert will give
a joint recital, assisted by Shirley
Annette Ruppert, soprano. Wednes
day evening the program w^l be given
by some of the younger pupils, David
B. Tate, Barbara Nelson, Robert O.
Mead, Ruth Nave, Travis Butler and
Alma Douglas Jerome. A more ad
vanced group will be presented Thurs
day evening, those participating in
cluding Elizabeth Applegate, Dorothy
Goebel, Ira Pcarlman. Mary Ellen
Huie, Margaret Copeland, Michael
Agriesti, Ethel Minot Lehman and
Ruth Hartzell.
Helen Williams Brodie of Montreal,
Canada, will give a program of piano
music for the Women's Alliance of All
Souls’ Unitarian Church, Sixteenth and
Harvard streets, on Tuesday afternoon
at 3 o’clock. The program will include
Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and
several Chopin numbers. Mrs. Brodie
was formerly a pupil of Percy Grainger,
later studying in New York for several
years.
The Department of Agriculture
Chorus, under the direction of Rob
ert Frederick Freund, because of
popular demand, is repeating its
Gav Nineties program, which was
such a success last Fall. The per
formance will be given Tuesday eve
ning at 8:30 in the department au
ditorium. The chorus and soloists
number 50 voices. Victor Neal will
be at the piano.
Edwin Hughes, pianist, of New
York, will give the concluding lecture
in his this season's series at the
Washington College of Music on Mon
day evening. He will present a
resume of the entire series, which
has been on "The Technique of In
terpretation at the Piano," and will
deal specifically with the style* of
Mozart and Chopin.
The Mothers' day program for the
music hour tomorrow at 5 o'clock,
at the Y. W. C. A , Seventeenth and
K streets, will be presented by a
group of boys from Powell Junior
High School, under the direction of
Thelma Tawnej,. The public is cor
dially Invited to attend.
"Ruth and Naomi,” a cantata ar
ranged by Lewis Atwater from Jew
ish and Russian music, will be pre
sented Friday evening at the 8 o'clock
service of the Washington Hebrew
Congregation, Eighth street between
H and I streets northwest. The
quartet, under the direction of Mr.
Atwater, organist, consisting of Flor
ence Sindell, soprano; Mabel Flehr,
contralto; George Myers, tenor, and
John Marville, bass, will be assisted
by Selma Klein, soprano. The pub
lic is cordially Invited. |
There will be a special program in
celebration of Mother's Sunday at
Friendship House, 324 Virginia ave
nue southeast, at 5 o’clock tomorrow.
Genevieve Rymer, pianist, and Charles
Mitchell, cometist, will present part
of the program. The glee clubs of
Friendship House, under the direc
tion of Jessie M. Olin, will sing Spring
songs and solos will be sung by
Norma White, Clare O'Brien and
Nettie Trent. Readings will be given t
by children from Leah Cannon’s
expression class. All those interested
in the work of Friendship House are
cordially Invited.
The Washington Opera Guild will
present Irene Kandzie and Ida Wood
at the second of its twilight musicales,
to be given tomorrow at the home of
the director, Mme. Gurle Luise Correa.
Mrs. Charles Imlay will be the pianist
of the afternoon.
Agnes Simmons gave a Jenny Lind
costume recital for the board and
ladies of the Aged Women's Home on
Tuesday evening. The recital was ac
companied by a short explanatory talk
on the life of Jenny Lind.
Edith B. Athey recently presented
Helen Klopfer in a piano recital, as
sisted by Christine Church, soprano,
and Barbara Boa], violinist, with Jane
Boal accompanying.
The Potomac Electric Power Co. Glee
Club entertained the Petworth Citizens’
Association at their third annual ban
quet at the Petworth Public School,
Shepherd street between Eighth and
Ninth streets northwest, on April 29.
The club is directed by Harry E. Yeide
and Cornelia Long Kinsella is ac
companist.
The Columbia Light Opera Co , Ethel
Manning, direqtor, will present Victor
Herbert's opera "Sweethearts" in June.
Rehearsals are being held Monday
evenings at 8 o'clock in the music
room at Central High School. The <
company, which now numbers 75, will
be increased to include more altos and
tenors.
FOR OPPORTUNITY
HOUSE ACTIVITIES
AT THE benefit concert for Oppor
tunity House to be given at the ]
home of Mrs. Edwin B. Parker, 2001 1
Twenty-fourth street, Monday at 8:30
o'clock, Alexander Sklarevski, well- !
known pianist of Baltimore, and the i
Pro Musica Quartet will give the fol
lowing program:
Scherzo from String Quartet in E Fla*.
Luigi Cherubini
fAdapted and pdi'.ed by Alfred Pochon.)
Finale from "The Riders' Quartet."
Joseph Haydn
Pro Musica Quartet.
Andante in F Major L. von Beethoven
Capriccio in B Minor David-Liszt
Impromptu in F Sharp Major F. Chopm
Waltz in E Flat Major.
Scherzo in B Minor.
Intermission.
Caprices from the ballet. "Alceste.”
Gluck-Salm Sams.
Three Preludes A. Scriabine
"Isle of Joy" Cl. Debussy
Alexander Sklarevski.
Quartet No. 1 in D Major A. Borodin
Pro Musica Quartet.
The benefit is being arranged by
j Joseph S. Loughran, minister of Cleve
land Park Community Church.
SEVITZKY ENGAGED
| FOR INDIANAPOLIS
pABIEN SEVITZKY has been en
gaged as conductor and musical
director of the Indianapolis Symphony
Orchestra for the next three years,
according to an announcement made
by William H. Ball, president of the
Indiana State Symphony Society.
Mr. Sevitzky, who has won inter
national recognition as conductor of
the Philadelphia Chamber Spring Sim
fonietta and the People's Symphony
Orchestra of Boston, and as guest
conductor of leading orchestras in
Europe, will at once proceed to the
task of creating an Indianapolis Sym
phony Orchestra to rank among the
foremost of the country.
The Indianapolis Symphony orcnes
tra, founded in 1929 by Ferdinand
Schaefer, has progressed in the course
of these eight years to become an
integral part of the life of Indianapolis.
In the 1935-1936 season the society
inaugurated the policy of engaging
renowned artists to appear with the
orchestra.
Last season Mr. Sevitzky made his
first appearance directing the orches
tra, and so great was his success that
negotiations were immediately begun
to have him return as permanent con
ductor. It was Mr. Schaefer who in
sisted upon the engagement of Mr.
Sevitzky as the conductor best quali
fied. Mr. Schaefer will act as con
ductor emeritus of the orchestra.
Mr. Sevitzky has appeared as guest
conductor of the Los Angeles Phil
harmonic, the Washington Summer
Concerts Orchestra and the Paris.
Berlin, Vienna and Warsaw Symphony
Orchestras.
He began his career in America as
double bass player in the Philadelphia
Orchestra in 1923. Two years later
he organized the Philadelphia Cham
ber String Simfonietta. In addition
to his other activities, Mr. Sevitzky
has conducted a series of operas for
the Philadelphia Grand Opera Co.
with enormous success.
In discussing his programs ior next
season, Mr. Sevitzky announced he
would adhere to his time-tested pro
cedure, so successful in Boston, of in
cluding a composition by an American
composer in each of his programs. In
concerts presented by Mr. Sevitzky in
Boston during the last three years, 35
American composers have been repre
sented on programs, and 20 works have
been played for the first time.
---
Opera by Local Club.
'T'HE Opera Players’ Club of Immacu
late Conception Church will pre
sent the juvenile operetta, “Punchi
nello," by Harry Wheaton Howard, on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday eve
nings at 8 p.rn. in Humey Hall. The
club will be assisted by the girls of
the Immaculate Conception Academy
and the boys and girls of the school,
the proceeds of the entertainment to
go for the Washington Catholic Radio
Hour.
Those taking part in the operetta
are Rita Koontz. Bernadette McHugh,
Catherine Murphy, Rose Ashlev Helen
Marx, Harry Maier, Charles Kelly,
Jean Esterbrook and Calvert Ma
gruder. A program of musical num
bers from musical comedies by Mr.
Howard will follow.
CONTEST OFFERED
FOR SONG SETTING
'y'HE Chicago Council of Teacher* of
Singing announces its first annual
competition for the best setting for
solo voice of the poem "Evening -
Song.”
The poem is as follows:
Look off, dear love, across the sallow
sands,
And mark yon meeting of the *un
and sea.
How long they kiss in sight of all the
lands.
Ah, longer, longer, we.
Now in the sea’s red vintage melts
the sun,
As Egypt's pearl dissolved in rosy
wine, '
^nd Cleopatra night drinks all. T;s
done,
Love, lay thy hand in mine.
Come forth, sweet stars, and comfort
heaven's heart;
Glimmer, ye waves, round else un
lighted sands,
O night, divorce our un and sky
apart,
Never our lips and hands.
SIDNEY LANIER.
The W. W. Kimball Co., which has^
always shown a deep Interest In the
development of American music, has
endowed the Chicago Council of
Teachers of Singing with an annual
prize of $100, to be given to the suc
cessful competitor.
The conditions of competition are:
1. The composer must be a resident .
of the United States of America.
2. The setting must be for solo
voice, with piano accompaniment.
3. It should be remembered first of
all that the song must lie well for the
human voice. Also that the longevity
of a song depends largely upon its
melody. The setting should be or.e
that lends itself to publication for
both high and low voice. It should be
kept within a reasonable compass.
4. Each composition must bear a
fictitious name and the composer must
inclose with his manuscript a sealed
envelope bearing upon this outside the
fictitious name and having inside his*
real name and address. Loose stamps
should be inclosed for the return of
the manuscript.
5. Each composition must be send to
D. A. Clippinger, chairman of the
Contest Committee. 617 Kimball Hal!,
Chicago, 111., and must be in his hands
not later than July 1 The aw-ard will
be made about July 15.
-6. The composition receiving the
prize becomes the property of the
Chicago Council of Teachers of Sine
ing. All others will be returned to
their authors w-ithin 30 day*.
7. In the event of no worthy com
position being submitted, the Chicag*
Council of Teachers of Singing re
serves the right to withhold the award.
8. The award will be made by a
jury composed of the following mem
bers of the council: Mr. Shirley, M. K. .
Gandell, Arthur Burton and Richard
De Young. No member cf the council
shall enter the competition. •
9. Address all communications to
D. A. Clippinger. 617 Kimball Hall, 306
Wabash avenue, Chicago, 111.
Wins Ski Championship.
G. Drakeford of Paisley won thfl
skliing championship of Scotland by
covering the Ben Ghlas course oi
three-quarters of a mile in 66 sec
onds.
Warren F. Johnson, Organist
Church of the Pilgrims ,
Sunday Evening
Choral Fantaaie and Double t jcue from
Suite "Plea Dae"_Lohmann
PIANO TUNING
EXPERT WORK
37 YEARS EXPERIENCE
SCHAEFFER
1428 IRVING ST. N.E. POt. 0989
■ ■ ■ — J
Armando Jannuzzi
Grand Opera Dramatic Tenor
Voice Specialist
Italian Method
School of bcl cants
Adam 3687-J
1519 Oak St. N.W. (Cor. 16th)^ «