The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-11-15
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES.

branches than the adoption of q new standard
pitch by the Piano Manufacturers Associa-
tion OF New York and vicinity at its meeting
on the 9th instant. The new pitch, to be
known as the international" is that A,
which gives 435 double vibrations in one sec.
ond of time, at 6So Fahrenheit, or, for the
benefit of those not so technically posted, it is
very nearly that which is known as the "French
pitch" Organ makers have for some time
been gradually lowering the pitch of their in
struments, but piano makers have been 10th
to sacrifice the brilliant effect obtained by the
use Of the concert pitch, and the majority of
pianos Of the better makes have been tuned
to the high standard. Now, after the 1st of
July next, every piano and organ sent from
the factories of the larger manufacturers will
be tuned to the "Internationaln and thous-
ands OF tuning forks sounding the new pitch
will be 10 the possession OF the tuners
throughout the country. The result cannot
fail to be beneficial Objection will be offered
by some who dislike to have their pianos
covered" but the benefits are so manifest
that all objections will be overcome and the
new pitch will become an established fact in
surprisingly short time. When that time shall
have arrived, what joy! No more sopranos and
tenors clamoring for low pianos, and no more
altos and bassos signing for high ones! Each
person will know exactly what to expect, and
the poor, defenseless instrument will no
longer be held responsible for many badly
executed solo.
The many friends of Mr. Albert schott, late
OF Georgetown, will be gratified to learn that
heis meeting with marked success In Germany.
1t will be remembered that some four years
ago when the great German tenor, Herr
Anton Schott, visited this city, he discovered
that his nephew, residing here, had a voice of
great promise, and that he took him abroad to
study music Since his arrival in Germany
the young man has pursued his studies with
such diligence and zeal that he Is slowly but
surely rising to the front ranks of European
tenors. Recently he was engaged to play
"Gastrollen', in Berlin, singing the roles of
Lionel, in Martha" Lohengrin Manrico in
'Il Trovatore," and RGOulin lies Hugenots"
AS Lionelhts success amounted to positive
triumph, and at the close of his last per-
formance he was called before the curtain no
less than eighteen times, receiving upward
OF thirty floral tributes, among which were
three large laurel wreaths His voice is COM
pared with that of Goetze, who in his day was
the greatest lyric tenor of Europe. With these
f1attering testimonials and the magnificent
example OF his uncle before him, 1t is safe to
predict brilliant future for our young Schott
is more than probable that both the elder
and younger Schott will revisit this country in
the near future.
The Columbia Athletic Glee Club held it's
first regular meeting on Wednesday evening
of last week, and selection of suitable music
was made for immediate rehearsal Professor
Crossley, the genial instructor in the various
athletic branches, has kindly rendered the
''boxing" room to the Glee Club one evening
each week, and Thursday has been selected as
rehearsal night, when the room will be fur
nished with piano and the other etceteras
necessary to music room.
While the more pretentious OF our musical
societies are presenting their plans for the
ensuing year there is one meritorious little or
ganiZation which should not be lost sight Of
the Orchestral Club. This club owes its eX-
1stence, mainly, to the interest manifested by
some of its earliest members in furnishing
music for the Sunday afternoon services at the
Y. NJ. Q. A. rooms-an interest which grew
until it eliminated in the organization, in
January 1889, of the Orchestral Club ''for
the entertainment and musical improvement
OF its members and others, upon suitable oc-
casions." The early rehearsals were held week
ly at the residence Of the director, Prof. Theo-
dore l. King, graduate of the Boston Con
servatory of Music; the club at that time
consisting OF Messrs j. A. Eisenbeiss, G.. III.
Darlington and NJ NJ. Bartlett, 1st violin F.
w. Bird and j. W. Purman, 2d violin w. E.
Dl11endorfer, cornet; VIM. Jordine, clarionet;
q. h. Jenvey, tlute II. w. smith, cello; and
Miss Matte Bartlett pianist. From this nu-
cleus the club has increased its membership to
twenty-one with distribution as follows Six
first Yiolins, two second Violins, viola, cello,
base, two clarionets, two cornets two French
horns, flute, trombone and piccalo. Among
the rules governing the conduct OF the club,
the most important provides that no charge
shall be made for playing, but any moneys
contributed may be accepted for the purchase
of music. The adoption of this rule enables
the club to act independently in all cases, and
also to avoid the charge Of competing with
professional musicians. In a resolution the
club declares its intention not to compete in
any way 70 deprive professionals of an engage
ment. The club has upward of eighty
pieces in its repertoire, the general scope ly-
ing between the grave and the gay-suitable
for excursions, church entertainments social
gatherings, and mixed affairs where playing
for dancing is not required. The club declines
10 play for dances. Thus far tho orchestra
which meets for practice every Wednesday
evening at the parlors of the Y. NJ. G. A, has
had siXty-siX regular rehearsals and has assist
ed at thirty-four public entertainments in the
three years of its existence. 1t strives to
meet and I'LL a seeming want in the commune
ty for music of medium grade.
1t is not DR.. e. S. Kimball, as stated re-
Gently by contemporary who has been Sc
ected as director Of the Columbia Athletic Glee
Club, but Mr.. Z. II. (Eddie) Droop In this
energetic and popular young musician the
club has secured q leaderWho will undoubtedly v
draw good hearty music from the lungs of the
young athletes, even if obliged to resort to
the use Of an Indian club in lieu Of q baton.