The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-06
CLARA BELL PALMER.
A Sketch of ylreinia's Brilliant Young
Pianist.

The career Of any gifted artist is OF
great interest always in this hero-wor-
shipping world: therefore when there APP
pears an artist who is not only talented.
out Young. promising and product OF
ones own State there is a peculiar clan
nish interest that takes on both bride
and affection; and no genius endowed
Young person Of the State Is more wor ny
of the latter than Nirginia's own Clara
Bell Palmer. the rising pianist, whose
future promises abundant reward for her
States appreciation.
Devoted to music from earliest child
hood. this gifted young girl, by her In
domitable energy and courage, has now
reached a reputation Of high order. es-
tablishing her as an artist and encourAs-
ing her in a life purpose Of achievelng
the highest perfection in her art.
She has been We'll known in musical
circles in her own State and in Mary
land. where her studies have been latter
Iy pursued; but from the Worlds FAIR
in her Official position as Nirginia's repre-
sentative OF music. a wider recognition
Of her talents have been accorded, estab-
fishing her reputation in broader field.
Miss Palmer is the daughter Of Henry
CLAY Palmer, and is native OF Aug lsta
county. She made her first public an
pearance." when she was five years old.
At the age OF seven she began the study
Of music by herself with the help Of SUCH
surrounding aid as only hungry genius
knows how TO unearth and absorb. by
the time she was twelve years old she
was one Of those musical mysteries who
knows how 10 play everything without
ever having been taught. At that time
recognizing her extraordinary gltt, her
parents sent her for two years 10 the
Valley Female Seminary in Waynesooro,
under the direction Of Professor William
Boiling. The first year she carried on
the medal Of proficiency AT the end
Of the second year she was awarded
Diploma in the department OF instrumental
music. the first one ever conferred py
this institute.
servatory Of Music, at Baltimore, study
ing pianc under Professor Courlaender'
and theory and harmony under Profess
sor's Allen and Hamerlck At inc eha
Of three years a certificate OF prohciency
was conferred upon her by thls Well
know institute Of eNactng excellence
and in the following two years. the career
Inv ana concert engagements TO meet
~ o,nenses of wider and farther
etrdvinc I'm Baltimore. which she ardor-
Ill. n,,rsued In the midst Of hard and
o1crossirg work Filled daily with self
sacrifcing love for her art, peculiar al
&c % absorbing talent. no regret for
hard r,orl, or thought Of self ever entered
LEV tho sacred purpose Of attaining the
49,. {, ber mower. A bright ray Of
announcement suddenly presented itself
=, he, I'm the great Worlds Fair-that
,,r,oo,oss wide stone and crisis In the
caroer ~ many a struggling genius. The
C,..,,,igsto,crs OF Maryland. aware OF
NJ p,Iner's superior attachments, APP
,e.o,',5 nor IN represent their State at
r. U,orrd's Congress Of Music during the
IvorId,s Fair but her love for and loyalty
- -, cum state led her to decline. pre-
co..t,,c. bor fortunes to be cast always
,,,,b A. Interesting herself at once in
N,irginia's musical representation also, she
-. ohout the formation or movement
- his character which was taken up
,,,tb interest and success by the State
commissioners. and the result was the
Ierointnent OF an Advisory Committee
ON Music. Of high order, During the
nth ~ Anril a year ago. several COM
''n,itors for musical representation at the
Worlds Fair. among them Miss Palmer.
came before this Advisory committee in
y,t"t,,,ond As result Miss Palmer
80 reocl,ed the high standard OF per
slo.1o,, ard WAS consequently accorded
The unanimous approval Of this musical
Immediately after this rigorous orGtal
~ ~. stricken seriously with nervous
pro and was thus deprived OF the
p,Sn honor Of appearing at The Worlds
ren-r.s. ~ Music. held At the Art Pal