Brownsville herald. [volume], April 30, 1933, FINAL SUNDAY EDITION, Page SIX, Image 6

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Outstanding Music Event Is Featured on Society Calendar this Week
Many Features
Planned For
Federation
Dv. Rohan Montgomery , nation
If knmm authority on economic*
will b* the principal speaker at
the spring meeting ol the Valley
Federation of Womens clubs to be
held in San Juan. May 9. Dr.
Montgomery, who is head of the
department of economics of Texas
State University, recently returned
from a stay of four months in
Washington where he was called
to assist in the drafting of pro
posed legislative tax reforms.
Subject of Dr. Montgomerys
address will be announced later,
however, it is known that he will
present some phase of the present
economics situation. His address la
scheduled for 2:30 p. m
It is hoped that a large number
of women of the Valley will avail
themselves of the opportunity of
hearing this notable speaker as
he is recognized as not only one of
the most brilliant lecturers but as
one of the most entertaining speak
ers among prominent educator*.
Prominent guests at the meeting
will include Mrs. J. W. Fincher of
Houston, president of Texas Fed
eration of Women's clubs; Mrs.
Alex Adams. San Antonio retiring
president of the Fifth District
Federation; Mrs. Ira O'Meara La
redo. newly elected president of the
fifth district and Mr*. J. T. Vance
of Refugio, chairman of the Ju
nior club department, of the Fifth
Dudrict Federation
Installation
Installation uf officers which oc
curs every two yean will tike
place at this meeting. Mn. J. J.
Murray, Harlingen, firct vice pres
ident and acting president during
the past year is the newly elected
president. Vice presidents are Mrs.
H. L. Yates, Brownsville and Mn.
H. U. Miles, Edinburg. Mn. Prank
Ludden. San Benito, is the newly
elected secretary-treasurer.
Outstanding features of the
meeting are the recognition of the
civic and applied education dep
artments with special recognition
of all junior dubs of the federa
tion. A picturesque pageant, given
by the San Juan Music and Dra
matic club one of the hostess or
ganizations, will be an interesting
entertainment number. The Wom
ans club of San Juan is the other
% hostess club.
Reservations for the luncheon to
be served at the San Juan hotel,
shquld be mailed at an early date
to Mrs J. Lee Stambaugh, San
Juan. All meetings will be held in
the auditorium of the Pharr
San Juan-Aiamo school
• *
School Gives
Historical
Play Friday
Friday, lormal closing exercises
acre held in the Palm Qrove on the
Fast grounds of the Resaca school.
The play, "America in the Making”
under the direction of one of the
teachers. Mrs H. H Allman, showed
the historical developments of
America from its discovery bv
Columbus through the successive
stages of the history
■%. r-racurany me enure scnooi took
.g^part Groups of children were in
r costumes representing the partic
ular historical era and sang songs
that were characteristic of varying
periods of tune Outstanding fea
tures of the play were the revolu
tionary days, the West Coast gold
rush, the southern plantation with
its negro slaves and America’s par
ticipation in the World war A
native coloring was furnished by j
the oxcart and an old time pipa or
water wagon, as formerly used m ,
the border towns.
Many teachers from other schools
were present and most all the pa- j
irons ''t this school and also many
visitors
Mrs. E L. Brice, principal, in be- j
half of the school, wishes to thank
all who assisted in making this i
plav a success Especial tnanks are
due officials of Fort Brown in lend- i
ing uniforms. Father Lewis of the ;
Sacred Heart church in furnishing
regalia representing early mission
ary activities of the church, the
chamber of commerce and M. Edel
stein in donatuig use of chairs and 1
to George Mansur In permitting the I
hauling of same by R F C. trucks.
• • w
District President
Installs Officers
II Jardm Parnet-Teachors As
sociation met Friday afternoon at
the school when Mrs F T. Elrick
of Corpus Christ!, president of the
10th district. P.-T. A. appeared as ;
principal speaker and installed the
new officers. Mrs O. A. Feckstem (
is president
Mrs. Elrick gave a talk pertain
ing to the work of the district and
annual reports were made. The
third grade was awarded the lov
ing cup for attendance F~t*e this
year. They won by one point over
the fourth grade
• • •
College Day To
Be Held Friday
College day will be observed Fri
day bv students of the Brownsville
Junior College according to an
nouncement made Saturday. Dale
Harrison, president of the student
asftocUUion. is working with mem
bers of the faculty arranging plans
day. ‘
Self Culture Club Installs
New Officers at Final Meet
Self Culture club held the final
meeting of the club year Wednes
day afternoon in the home of Mrs.
H. L. Yates with Mrs. R. J. Bing
ham as co-hostess The rooms were
adorned with a profusion of garden
. -|
Brownsville
Women At
Meet Friday
Mesdamet George M Smith. E.
P Day. H. M Clark and Clyde
Tandy were In Raymondville Friday
attending the district one. Western
Texas Presbyterial w hich con- i
vened in the church on that day.
Mrs T. B Summon, of Mission
presided.
A most interesting and inspira
tional program was presented, the
hymn •"In the Service of the King"
opening the morning session. Rev.
I. A. Humbred gave the invocation
and scripture and Mrs R. W.
Green spoke word. of greeting to
which Mrs. Kent Manning respond
ed.
The devotional by Mrs Moss was
followed by a report of the pres
byterial by Mrs W A Adams, a
solo by Mrs. E B Burton and
three minute reports from the
auxiliaries Tex-Mex boys sang The
Life We Live" after which an exec
utive board meeting was held.
After luncheon, the Ravmond
ville members presented musical
selections and Rt-v. O E Sanden
told of "World Evangelism”. Mrs.
Geonge Smith, presbyterial presi
dent, brought a few remarks which
were of Interest and a business
meeting w-as held including reports
of committees and routine work.
• • •
I
Nuptials Are
Solemnized
Mu* Eugenia OBann.on and
Robert L. Sexton were married ai
10 oclock Saturday morning in
the Methodist parsonage at a quiet
a simple ceremony with Rev. O.
C Crowe, pastor, officiating.
Present for the wedding were
Mrs Cecil Shelton, aunt of the
bride, Miss Elizabeth O’Bannion, a
sister, Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Sex
ton. parent* of the bridegroom,
Mrs. Emma Leonard, George Leon
ard ancfS Miss Mary Emma Vivier. I
A wedding luncheon at El Jar
din hotel was served after the cere
mony to the bridal party.
Mrs. Sexton, who has resided in
Brownsville lor the past 15 >ea.s,
is county stenographer for the
Brownsville district in the office
of Stanley Ford.
Mr. Sexton, a resident of
Brownsville for the past 15 years,
is employed by Pan-American Air
ways. His fathre was recently ap
pointed collector of customs for
the San Antonio district and will
assume his duties May 1. They are
well known in Brownsville and the
Valley.
Both the bride and groom have
a host of fnends here.
• • •
Open House Held By
Port Isabel Schools
PORT ISABEL Apnl 29 — Pa
trons and fnends of the school
spent the day visiting classes and
inspecting work of the students,
which was placed at their disposal.
The regular rout me was followed,
and the weekly assembly program,
supervised by Mrs Prank Hickman,
featuring the primary rythm band
was enjoyed.
At 1:30 p m the P-T. A met.
The primary children, dnectej by
Margaret Hug listen presented
several interesting numbrs. Mrs.
McDowell gave an inspiring jiajicr
on •Spiritual Education". A report
of the district P.-T. A meeting
was given by Mrs G J. Keikel and
Mrs. Georg Call. After a sh rt
business session the meeting, with
about twenty five members pres
ent. was adjourned to meet in
May for the installation of offi
cers. I
flowers Including low bowls of
nasturtiums.
Roll call was answered with cur
rent evenu and the president named
Mesdames Bingham. C. W. Rom and
Nathan Moore as delegates to the
May city federation and Mesdames
M. R. Hall. Roy Ruff and H. L.
Fitch as Valley federation dele
gates. Mesdames Moore. C. C.
Stewart and V. L. Conrad are al
ternates.
The outgoing president. Mrs. C.
W. Watson presented each of her
officers with a dainty corsage and
gave the gavel to Mrs. Randall
Mathers who installed the new of
ficers and presented each with a
lovely corsage. Those who will '
serve this coming year are Mrs. M.
R. Hall, president; Mrs. Nathan
Moore, first vice-president; Mrs. H.
E. Watkins, second vice president;
Mi a. Bingham, recording secretary;
Mrs George Hamilton, correspond
ing secretary; Mrs. E. E. Dickinson,
treasurer; Mrs. E. T. Yates, critic
parliamc-ntanan. Mrs. Fitch will
represent the dub in the city fed
eration as auditor.
Mrs. Hall extended a cogdial wel
come to the new members. Mrs. A.
W. Cunningham, a charter mem
ber, who has recently moved to
Brownsville from Harlingen; Mrs.
Gertrude Holcomb. Mrs. Bascom
Cox and Miss Ella Evans.
Beautiful bouquets of rose* were
presented by Mrs. Kemmy to Mrs.
Watson and Mrs Hall, outgoing and
incoming presidents.
The May breakfast, an annual
event of the club, will be given
Saturday May 8 with Mrs. C. W.
Watson a« hostess at 9 a. m.
During the pleasant social hour,
the hostesses served delectable re
freshments.
Mrs. Marsh Club
Hostess Recently
Las Tejas Contract bridge club
was complimetned Wednesday
afternoon by Mr*. Harry Marsh at
her home m West Brownsville.
Guests were Mrs. Dale Jones ana
Mrs Lee Mullens. Mrs. G. C.
Kerr was welcomed as a new
member. Others com pie ting the
personnel were Mesdames Joe In
gram. Alfred Puiegnat, R. M War
rn. Maurcie Tipton. Thomas Homer.
Pretty spring blossoms were
tastefully arranged and dainty
corsages of rosebuds were given as
plate favors The hostess served
cake and iced tea during the
aftemocn.
Mrs. Ingram was winner of high
score trophy and Mrs. Mullen,
second high.
Mrs Warren is entertaining Hie
club this week.
• • •
World Bridge
Olympic Soon
The World Bridge Olympic will
be held Monday evening at El Jar
din hotel with at least 10 tables
entered Bridge players here will
break the seals on the 16 hands
prepared by a commit tee of inter
nationally famous bridge experts
to begin the Brownsville tourna
ment in the Olympics Mrs. Paul
Brown of Harlingen is chieftain.
The tournament will open simul
taneously in 44 countries, with from
50,000 to 75.000 plajers participat
ing On the stroke of 8 p. m.. Sin
Bosnian of Batavia. Dutch East
Indies, who will drive 100 miles to
get his hands and then 200 miles
to take part in a game, will be
striving to play better contract than
members of the Brownsville club,
Japanese in Yokoahma. Japan
will be playing the same hands as
the soldiers in the American bar
racks in Tientsin. China, where 12
tables will be in the race. In
Buenos Aires, Argentina, 500 play
ers will sit down to the game, and
75 tables will participate in Syd
ney. Australia. Forty table* have
been ordered at Cannes, France;
60 tables for Zagreb. Jugo-Slavia.
There are 300 trophies to be
awarded, including the two famous
platinum and Brazilian onyx sta
tues valued at $10,000 each, which
will go to the north-south and
cast-west winners for one year.
Minstrel Is
Presented By
Ward School
An enthusiastic and appreciative
audience attneded the negro
minstrel presented toy the Bast
Ward school pupils in the school
auditorium Friday evening. More
than 300 were present.
The program opened with an
action song. "Mud Pi**” by firs*
grade pupUs Other numbers were
Plantation Minstrel chorus includ
ing Hi Diddle Diddle and Roily
Wooly Doddle, songs; a tap oance
by pupils from Sophie Kowalski’s
school of dancing; "Whey my Dolly
Grows to be a Lady." gong by hign
second pupils; "Morning Pape:,
Sir?" a three act musical play by
high third boys. In the first act
news boys sing and ask people to
buy ‘Extras’ as they contain the
latest news about the president's
repeal of prohibition, “swell” par
ties. sports and stocks and bonds.
The second act: "The Gang" de
cides to go on a picnic and spend
their money on hot dogs. Ned de
cides he will not join them as he
wants to save his pennies to buy a
new bicycle. By being thrifty he
does buy the bicycle. When the
"gang" sees it they too become
thrifty bankers. This is in the
concluding act.
' A Race." a play by the hign
second was followed by The Wea
ding of the Painted Doll.” Ttve
nost hilarious "colored" wedding
an record, it was full of rollicking
humor, odd situations which gave
the program a happy ending m
the cast were the bridal party
composed of Oonasla Castillo.
Fred flhuk. Celia Oorena. Mike
Padilla. Nlnfs Garcia, Fred Daven.
Lidia Torres and Pets Corona The
Bride was Celia Gorans and the
Groom, Henry Alfred Btbon; the
brides father. Ruben Morin; the
groom’s father. Gredeta Avila;
the preacher, Tom Bockman ana
flower girls. Lack* Teeen ana
Juanita Torres.
• • •
Fourth Ward To
Prestnt Program
The following program will be
presented by the pupils of the
Fourth Ward school at 7.30 p. m.
Tuesday in the Junior college
auditorium, according to Mias
Emilia Fernandez, principal of the
school. Welcome address. Fairies
Revelry, Gypays Secret. The House
of Beautiful Days and Drill. The
public la invited.
Orphans Main
Characters
In Play
The May queen will be crowned
on the campus of “Sunnyslde”,
West Brownsville school at 4 o'clock
Friday afternoon May 5. Her at
tendants will be the honor stu
dents from the first four grades
The queen. Barclay Bogel will be
crowned by W. T. Smith, both hon
or students of the fifth grade
The operetta “Sunny of Sunny
side” will be presented by the en
tire school, a cr.st of more than 250
children. The play concerns Sun
ny, the lovable little orphan girl
played by Marjorie Winan*. who is
the prime favorite of the other
orphans at the Sunnyside Home.
Sunny, puttmg aside all thought of
self, finds plenty to do settling dis
putes among the orphans; reas
suring Paul, the new boy who is
afraid; comforting Jimmy, the crip
ple boy; shielding and befriending
all and soon finds herself a real
home with Ellen, a rich girl—the
reward for always being gentle and
kind.
Billie, the tomboy orphan, by
Aline Craig you anil enjoy and
Reddy, the tough guy. played by
Gerald Tidwell, puts on a real cir
cus. celebrating Sunny's return
from the hospital.
Everyone is invited to come and
see the tall, thin, short, fat, tooth
less and freckled orphans at ’ Sun
nyside” West Brownsville school.
Admission is 10 cents.
Round _I
Meet Monday
Pan-American Round Table a ill
hold the regular monthly business
meeting Monday morning at 10
o'clock in the home of the direc
tor. Mm. G. W. Johnson. Sr., on
Weat Levee street. This is the
final busin&es meeting of the
Round Table for the summer, un
leas a special meeting for unusual
business Is called.
Th luncheon-program will be
held Friday at 1 p. m in El Jar
din hotel when Mrs. Johnson, Jr.,
will be in charge of a program on
Colombia. William Romero who
was to have come from Mexico
City to take part or the program,
has notified Mrs Johnson that he
1 will be unable to attend.
Calendar For The Week
-- -
Monday
World Bridge Olympic at El
Jardin hotel in evening.
Business meeting of the Presby
terian Womans Auxiliary at the
churc hat 3:30 p. m.
Altar Society of the Sacred Heart
church is to hold a business meet
ing in the rectory' at 3 p. m.
Business meeting of Pan-Amer
ican Round Table in the morning
at 10 a. it), in the home of Mrs. G.
W Johnson.
Methodist Missionary Society
business meeting at church at 3 p.
m.
Woman's Guild of Church of
the Advent business meeting at 3
p . m . in parish house.
Womans Missionary Union of
the Baptist church business meet
ing at 3 p. m. at the church.
Hope Chapter. O. E. 8 meeting
at 8 p m. in Masonic Temple
Tuesday
Literary and Arts Review club
meeting with Mrs. Maurice Brulay
in the morning for business
Mrs. G. W. Gotke is hostess to
Learner s club.
Fourth ward school program at
7 30 p. m. at junior oollege audit
orium.
Business and Professional Wo
men's club social at home of Mrs.
Joe Ingram with Miss Julia O'Brien
co- hostess.
Sisterhood of Beth El meeting at
Temple at 3 p. m.
Treble Clef Music club final
meeting at 3 p. m. in the home of
Mrs. B L Cole. Installation of of
ficers Roll call on "Opera Stars
on Silver Screen.” Lesson on
American opera in charge ot Mrs
R L. Mainers
Mardi Bridge club with Mrs
Robert Erru*.
Rebekahs are meeting in the
evening at Masonic Temple.
Wednesday
Wednesday Bridge club with Mrs.
Joe Wells.
P A L club in home of Mrs.
Nick Barber.
Wednesday Study club with Mrs.
W D. Ferguson in San Benito
Mrs. R. M. Warren is entertain
ing Las Tejas Contract bridge
club.
Mrs Jimmy Maxwell will be
hostess to Wednesday Tournament
bridge dub.
Thursday
Thursday Study club with Mrs
J. R. Snoeberger.
High and Junior High P.-T. A.
at high school. Election of officers
and social.
Friday
College Day program.
Friday Bridge club with Mi&s
Elsa Walther.
Pan-American Round Table lun
cheon-program at El Jardin hotel
at 1 p. m. Program on Colombia.
' Sunny of Sunnyside May fete
program at West Brownsville
school at 4 p. m. Public Invited.
Saturday
Self Culture May breakfast with
Mrs. C. W. Watson hostess at 9
a. m.
American Legion Auxiliary
Benefit Party Is Successful
Members of the American Le
gion Auxiliary were hostesses Frl- \
day afternoon to a beautifully ap- j
pointed bridge-tea given in the
attractive home of Mrs. G. W.
Johnson on Levee street. This was
■ ■ .... 1 ". I
Juniors Give
Banquet For
Senior Class
_
The annual Junior-senior ban
quet was given Friday evening m
El Jardin school dining room which
was transformed into a beautiful
setting with pink and green fes
toons and flowers, emphasizing
the class colors.
A delicious banquet was served
by the mothers of the junior class
student* after which a program
was presented: Invitation was
given by C A Schmidt. Toast
master was John Huffman. Wel
come by Sam Merrill, response by
Mtldron Floyd, toast to seniors,;
Junior and faculty by John Huff
man, Maurine Barnes and Iona
Ford; address by Mr Schmidt,
reading by Esther McElroy. pres
entation of the Key of Knowledge
by Maunne Barnes; Toast to our
school by George Hanna and Fare
well.
About 30 pupils, guests and mem
bers of the faculty w-ere present
• • •
Group Installation
Of County Council
Officers Planned
Something entirely new will be
the group installation of County
P.-T. A council officer* of the
Nueces, San Patricio and Aransas
counties at Port Aransas and also
the local units from seven coun
j tie*, according to Mrs. F. T. Elricls,
i of Corpus Christi, president of the
10th district P.-T A, who was in
' the city Thursday. Friday and
Saturday, to attend the Cameron
county council n eet held here
Saturday
Mrs. J. J Devotl, a* ate secre
1 tary. will be present. This Is the
j first time that a group installa
' non among county councils has
been held in the state and it will
probably set a standard for future
j installations.
Up to date, more than 70 cars
have registered to make the trip
to Port Aransas and it is expect
ed that more than 350 persons
will be in attendance. A picnic
lunch will be served at noon.
• • •
Spanish Music
: Program Topic
Mrs W A Velten was in charge
of the program on Spanish music
Friday afternoon at the final
meeting for this year of the Eu
terpean Music club held in the
parlor* of the Central Chri*tian
church, which were decorated with
a profusion of spring blossoms, the
pretty flowers being arranged In
baskets and vases about the room
and forming a springtime back
ground for the guests.
A paper on the history of Spanish
music was read by Mrs. Velten and
Miss Mary Sue Haynes told the
life of the Spanish composer, Al
vinez.
Mrs. Edward Sea bury played a
Spanish dance, Playero “ and a
concert arrangement oX "Dark
Eyes". Miss Gladys Woodrome, a
pupil of Miss Margaret McConna
chie. sang “Roses and You" and a
Spanish number entitled “Cwrml
na". Miss Especia Ross played
“Dancers in the Patio," a Spanish
tango.
Officers were installed by Mrs.
Randal Mathers who as she gave
an appropriate verse, pinned a
lovely sweet pea corsage on each
officer. President Is Mrs. H. C.
Sample, vice president. Mrs. R W.
Fenwick; secretary-treasurer. Mrs
Grover Singer. Miss Roberta Lee
Fitch, outgoing president, present
I ed Miss Ross, outgoing secretary
I treasurer, with a shoulder corsage.
considered a social success as well!
as a financial venture for charity.
The living rooms and screened
porch opened to the guests ror
games, were pretty with touches
of color in floral decorations of
red. white and blue. Mrs. Johnson,
chairman for the event, and Mm.
Harbert Davenport, president of the
auxiliary, received the guests.
Sixteen tables of players parti
cipated in the games and each
table was awarded a prize, dainty
hand-made handkerchiefs, for high
score. Mrs. I. Dorfman drew the
lucky number which called for door
prize, a Wedgewood plaque
Refreshments were iced tea and
angel food cake.
Members assisting with the
party were Mesdames R C. Morris,
Arthur Hipp, G. W. Johnson. Jr,
F E. MacManus, W. O. Washing
ton. and J. K Wella.
Receipt* from the party will be
donated towands the local milk
fund for children of veterans The
organization Is indebted to the
Los Ebanos nursery for flower^
to Edelsteln'e Furniture company
for chairs and to the F W Wool
worth company for ice tea glasses.
• • •
Patio Setting
For Supper,
Bridge Party
A distinctive social funcion of
Friday evening was the supper and
bridge m the patio of El Jardin
hotel when the men, who were
losers in a recent bridge tourna
ment complimented the women,
w’ho were the victors
The supper table was in the form
of a diamond and held bowls of
phlox and larkspur. Covers wree
marked for Messers and Mesdames
G. D. Sutton. O D Deputy. H H.
Boyd. Dean Porter. Robin Pate,
Frank Godwin, C S Conwell. Bur
nell Goodrich, William Galloway,
Fay Rockwell. Carl Gillette, W. C.
Craig. Thomas Sweeny. Maj. and
Mrs. Pickett. Dr. arid Mrs R. L.
Works; Mesdames Winslup Hon
Ethel Hicks. G. W. Johnson. Frank
Hadden, Frank Goodrich of Mexico
City, Putegnat. Schmidt. Ula Col
lins. P. K McNair, Paul Mathews,
R. B Creager. Lena Gay More and
Paul Brown, and Miss Emily Trax
ler, the Utter two of Harlingen:
Messers Carroll. C S Ragan Frank
McGrath, MacDonald, and Dr
Langner.
In the games of bridge. Mrs
Rockwell won woman's high and
Mr. Carroll was winner of high
for the men
El Jardin Heights
Social Club Enjoys
Meeting Thursday
Mrs. Louis DeMieville was hostess
Thursday to 12 members and two
guests. Mrs. Mary Green and Mrs.
Ted Green, of El Jardin Heights
Social club Mrs. DeMieville greet
de her guest* on her pleasant
screened porch and during the
afternoon current events were dis
cussed A contest in which animals
were drawn, was won by Mrs. Ioula
Bowles She was presented with a
silhouette for being lucky winner
The hostess served delicious
fruit punch and cookies
In two weeks. Mrs. Clarence Dre
asher will be hostess at the home
of her mother. Mrs. W B. Matn
era
• • •
Couple Named Party
lfonorees Last Week
Complimenting Mr. and Mrs.
Wortham Davenport who were
mamad recently in Chicago. Mr
and Mrs. Robin Pate entertalnea
at a five table bridg eparty Thurs
day evening.
Roses and phlox were used pro
fusely in gaining a pretty floral
note. In the games of bridge. Mrs
L. L. Voight was winner of high
score for the women and Sid Eto
nian for the men. The hostess
presented Mrs. Davenport wltn a
lovely token.
Delectable refreshments were
t^rved after the games.
...- .. ...l
Folk Songs of Spain Form Interesting Topic at Learners Club Meet
I
The Learners club met Tue&day
afternoon at the home of Mrs.
George M Smith. Mrs. Pauline
Goode was leader for the day and
had arranged a very instructive pro
gram on folk music of Spain. Mrs
Goode, while a university student
at Madrid, made trips to the dif
ferent provinces of Spam, thus
learning by observation, many of
the things she tells in her pape .
Owing to illness. Mrs. Goode
could not be present and her sis
ter, Mrs. J. D. Ward, of San Ben
ito will known for her musical
gifts, presented the paper.
Mrs. J. D. Ward, accompanied at
the piano by Mrs F. W. Colmery
and Mrs. Bruce Clark, all of San .
Benito, appeared on the program,
Mrs. Clark playing Fine Dance"
and Mrs. Ward singing the Balada. •
Montanes and Bord adore, illus
trating the different folk music of
Spain.
Folk Songs of Spain
It is an uncontradicted fact that
humanity possesses a strong mu
sica] instinct and that every na
tion has found, through the medi
um of music, an outlet for its sen
timents and emotions. This land
of instinctive music is what we
call folk-music because It is a
creation and an expression of the
people
Spain is an extraordinarily rich
country in folk music, and in order
to thoroughly appreciate this, it
would be necessary to study Its
geography, as every section of the
country has it sparticular customs
which have their own appropriate
songs. Tins richness and variety
make it very difficult to classify
the Spanish folk-songs, but ob
serving only the most salient
characteristics wc could classify
them m three groups. Two of which
belong to the north, and one that
belongs to the central, eastern and
southern sections. Of the two
groups that represent the north,
one is composed of songs of Gali
cia, Asturias and Santander which
show general characteristics.
Santander is a very mountainous
section and from it we take the
• Copla" which enjoys a moat im
portant place in Spanish folk
music. It is a short poem; the
most popular and beloved type of
Spanish folk-poetry. It it a stanza
-.j
1
of four octosyllabic lines with the
second and fourth Unas rhyming
in assonance (vowel rhyme) or con
sonant «consonant as well as vowel
rhyme).
There is no act of popular life
which has not its copla. from the
most ordinary to the most sublime.
•Hiey are veritable autobiographies.
Copla and guitar accompany the
Spaniard in all fie loves, believes,
hopes and suffers.
On the west of Santander live
the As tun axis. The fact that this
province is iso. a ted from the rest
by very high mountains has made
it possible to preserve in a great
measure its own customs and Its
primitive flavored music. Since this
province is an industrial center,
there are naturally many people
from the other sections that go
there to work, thereby bringing
their regional songs with them. The
Asturian has assimilated these
songs giving them their own parti
cular flavor of calm melancholy
and sweetness
Now we come to the province of
Galicia, the Brittany of Spain, in
scenic beauty, and very celUc in
Its legends, song and dance. The
music of this provinca baa a osr
tain resemblance to the music of
the northern provinces that are
near It (Asturias and Santander).'
but upon closer observation, we
find its musical form more com
plicated, and its melancholy strain
more predominant. These songs
are usually sung much slower, and
the long slow cadence resembles a
ament.
Balada is the last of the first
group of the northern songs. We
turn to the east of Santander now
and find the Basque country which
has a very different type of music
from the above mentioned. It is
more closely related to the songs
of Navarre and the High Aragon
and Cataluna and ranges from
sweet pastoral ballads and love
songs to warlike ballads.
Navarre and Aragon are so close
ly related that we can easily con
fuse their songs. The most charac
teristic feature of their folk-music
is expressed in a dance, which is
partly sung. This dance, however,
has influenced the rest of Spain
ta such a degree that it is com
monly called the national dance of
Spain. Needless to say it is la
Jota.
We now come to Castilla, the
central province which has so dom
inated the rest of Spain that its
dialect is now the official language.
In assimilating the rest of the
province it has not been able to
preserve its own peculiar customs
and music, therefore we find it
less colorful and less energetic
than the rest. They sing very little.
The southern group is perhaps
the most difficult to understand.
The type of music that has crossed
the boundary lines to other coun
tries and which is usually consid
ered “Spanish’ is from this sec
tion.
The songs are lyrical, and we
f.nd the copla having a most im
portant part in the song. The An
dalusians are a charming people.
Very extravagant In speech and
mannerism, and *uth a keen sense
of humor. These characteristics are
all found in the, dance as well as
the song—sometimes happy, spicy,
and gay. and sometimes sad and
melancholy.
It is well to remember in sum
ming up the characteristics of the
Spanish folk-music as a whole,
it the melancholy note usually j
prevails If not in the rhythm. In
the words of the copla The ’ring
games” hold an important place
m their music. Adults as well as
children indulge in this type of
song and dance, and the types
vary according to the work done in
each province, as each type of
work has its appropriate song.
No program of 8panish music
is complete without mentioning the
three leading composers of the
present day—Isaac Albeniz. Enri
que Granados end Manuel de Falla,
the latter by virtue of his tremen
dous effort tc collect the true folk
lore of Southern Spam and give it
musical forr\ is the most import
ant. His greatest influence is the
gypsy type w’hich is very pro
nounced in his famed ballet com
position ‘ El Amor Brujo.” The Fire
Dance of this ballet has all the
weird and fiery characteristics of
a witch's ritual dance of love. This
composition soon placed De Falla
with leading composers in Europe
and his ballets and operas and
are heard everywhere.
I
Cantata Will
Be Presented
Wednesday
One of the most Important aventa
on the social calendar for the week
and one that is outstanding In
Valley music circles Is the sacred
cantata. The Seven Last Words
of Christ ' which is to be pres
ented Wednesday evening at 8:15
o'clock m the Methodist church of
this city by the choir of the Har
lr.gen Methodist church. An in
vitation is extended to musie
lovers of Brownsville and the Val
iev
The cantata, an outstanding bit
of work In its field has been given
twice in the Valley, at Harlingen
on Easter Sunday and in Edinburg
last Sunday, overflowing crowd#
attending at both times.
David Ormesher, director of thaiff
choir, directed the male chorusw
of more than 100 voice# in Dallas
and had charge of the Temple
choir in Dailas for 12 yean, also
spending six years in Laurel
Heights and directing singing in
the army corps during the world
war. He has had voice pupils who
are now' internationally known,
being an expert In voice work as
well as chorus. The Valley is in
deed fortunate in having a man
of his experience and capability.
This cantata is a beautiful and
inspiring interpretation of the tra
gedv that was enacted in Calvary,
that is the crucifixion of the
Christ, for solo and chorus.
Mrs. H E. Hager, soprano at
Mercedes; Frank Wright, tenor of
Edinburg; Orville Huntley, bari
tone ol Harlingen are soloists and
Mrs Ernest Wright is pianist and
Mrs M E. Deakins, organist.
Personnel of the choir is Met
dames E C. Bennett, Barley, Bu
Rher, Jack Carey, Stanley Crock
ett. A. P Darras. N. A. Davidson,
M E Deakins, Kirkhart. Edward
Milligan C H. Perry. Russell Per
ry, Marvin Taylor. Touchstone, Van
Pelt; Mism>s Mary Lou Bennett,
Bowman. Jennie Case, Douthtt,
Margaret Elmore. Graalman. Dor
othy Mitsch. Emogene Oler, Vir
ginia Perry, Jpan Phipps, Gertruda
Roberts Shaw. Roaila Smith. Cle
mentine Stephens. Willie Mae Ste
phens; Messers Anglin, Bothweli,
Brinies. Bryant, Colman, Collier,
Corns, Davidson. Downing. Elmore,
Graalman Gresham, Hardeman,
Huntley, Kirkhart, Roonce, Muzsey,
Philo- * k E. Permlott, R. Perinlott,
(Continued on Page Seven)
• • •
Federation
Holds Meet
City Federation of Women’s clubs
met Thursday afternoon in the
First Presbyterian church. Mrs.
Willie A George reported that ail
interest had been paid up on the
icily clubhouse lot.
Announcement was made that
the city ledera’ion had for tha
filth time made available to the
pupils of the Brownsville high
school the annual Conrad prixea
for research articles on the lif* of
a noted southerner. Historical
ligures chosen for this time are
Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun.
Mrs. V. L Conrad made the an
nouncement.
Delegates to the Valley federa
tion meeting May 9 In S&n Juan are
Mesdames H. L. Cummins and
Grider Perkins and Mias Ella
Evans Mre Thomas Hamer and
Mrs E T. Yates are alternates.
Mrs. H. L. Cummins, chairman
of the social service commltee, ask
ed for donations of children's
clothing to be distributee among
the needy
tc.lowing the business a musical»
r»ro*ram presented. Miss
Myrna Summers, a pupil of Miss
Margaret McConnachls, sang
•Creole Serenade” and “Lady
Moon” accompanied at the piano
by Miss Especia Ross. Little Betty
Jean McMinn played •‘Butterflies’
and the Scarf Dance. 8he is a
pupil of Mi&s Ross.
Final meeting of the federation
will be held next month.
• • •
Program On
Chopin Given
One of the moat delightful mu
sical programs member* have ever
had the pleasure of hearing, was
presented Tuesday morning when
the Literary and Arts Review club
met in the home of Mrs. .Tame*
Abney, who was in charge of the
program on Chopin and his works.
Mrs. Burnell Goodrich gave a
.sketch of Chopin’s life following
which the program was presented
in three parts. The first Included
•even of ChopLVs preludas played
by Mrs. Abney. Four pieces con
posed the second part, being Noc
turne in G Major, Etude in F
Major Walt* m O Flat Major and
Ballad in F The third and con
cluding part was Chopin's Sonato
in D Flat Minor Mrs. Abney play
ing DeBussy s Garden in the Rain
as an encore.
This Tuesday, Mrs. Maurice
Brulay will be hostess for a busi
ness meeting and all members are
urged to be present.
• • •
IN CHICAGO
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sharp of this
city are registered at the Edge- A
water Beach hotel on the North ■
Shore at Chicago, 111. Mre. Sharp M
before her marriage in New York If
City two weeks ago, wa« the for- r
mar Miu Elmore Richardson of
this city. The couple lions honey
moon trip.
4