Evening star., 1896-08-15
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES
An Earnest Appeal for the Encouragement Of
American Musicians.
Protest Against the Craze for Foreign
Artists Some Matters OF
Local Interest.

In the Musical Age this week Mr.. Harry
e. Freund makes a strong plea for the en-
couraRement Of music In this country as
interpreted by native musicians. He refers
to the exorbitant prices that have been for
some years paid to foreign artists. who have
come here simply for the money there was
in it and have departed carrying their gains
with them, sometimes without even a
gracious word of farewell. and then says:
What encouragement, or aid. or impetus
has been given to the real cultivation of the
musical art in America by these immense
sums Of money expended In listening to the
performances of the foreign, artists and
composers? Has the artist or composer Of
native birth, Or who has chosen this coun-
try as the land of his adoption, had any
opportunities?
HAS not the public absolutely refused to
attend performance or encourage its own
musicians unless they had first foreign
Endorsement?
HAS not this self-same public, after criti-
cising adversely home artist f1ocked like
SO many sheep to applaud because London,
Paris ard Berlin had uttered their ap-
proval?
''Will it be ever thus?
while foolish, fanatical. frenzed
foreign star whose great name and high
price had commanded their attendance, the
American musician was left In oblivion.
He has had occasion to contend, and to
suf1er bitterly, from this sort Of competi-
ton, Which has served to keep him in the
shadow when 1t did not actually take the
bread out of his mouth.
ut las been in a number of cases Wild,
unreasonable craze on the part Of the pub
lie to worship at the shrines Of foreign
idols. locking with disdain and contempt
upon all efforts to create gods of their
own.
saTo largo avtant onr on,, .t,,,,,
artists and composers have been neglected
in this senseless worship.
The American people need to be awak-
ened. Our industrial and commercial pro-
gress leads the world Why should we not not,
art?'
He then suggests that wealthy men
should subscribe to establish a national
school OF music, and concludes as follows:
Let us have American singers, Ameri-
can pianists. American composers Let
America be for Americans, and let art in
America be awarded all the announcement
to which it is justly entitled by the popula-
tion. progress and prosperity Of the United
States.'
The National Conservatory of Music of
America. which was founded by Mrs Jean
nette M. Thurber, has been of great ben.-
mt to American musicians. both vocal and
instrumental, and of both sexes, during it's
existence of ten years. Its only aim has
been to gather from all parts of the United
vance the cause Of music in their native
land. The annual entrance examinations
will take place as follows, at the Conserva-
tory. 126 and 12S East 18th street, New
York city:
Singing-September 1, from to 12 am,
and to pm, and in the evening. Cho-
rus. from. to 10 pm.
ViNn, viola, contrabass, cello and harp
September 2, from 10 to II am, and 2
to p.m.
Orchestra and all wind Instruments Sep
tember 2. from to pm.
Piano and organ-September 4, from 10
to II am, and z to pm.
Although the matter has not been def
nitely settled, it is believed that the quar-
tet of solcists that will assist the Choral
Society in its performance of the Mes
siah" on the 10Th and 30th of December
next will consist Of Mrs. Nellie Wilson,
Shircliff, soprano; Miss Grace Hall of Bal
ttmore contralto; Mr.. w. D. Mcfarland.
tenor, and Mr.. Ericsson Bushnell, bass
These singers. with the exception Of Miss
Hall. are well known here, and will TN
doubtedly be heard with pleasure. Miss
Hall Is said by those who know of her ca
pabilities to be fully up to the standard of
those with whom she will be associated.
No engagements have been made for the
second concert Of the Choral Society, but
two names have been suggested One Is
Miss Camille Seygard, q young Belgian
country this year. arriving in New York in
November. Although she is Belgian
Miss Seygard's mother was an Englishwo-
man, and she speaks English fluently so
much SO that she has heen engaged by the
New York Philharmonic Society, and will
make her debut in this country with that
society in oratorio. She is said to have a
voice Of unusual purity and power, and. be-
sides, to be q young woman of remarkable
beauty of face and figure.
The other name is that of Mr. H. Clay
Williams, who Is said to possess a tenor
voice of much sweetness, highly cultivated
and of good range.
Miss Katie v. Wilson is spending her va
cation at Atlantic City. She will return by
the LIST Of September.
The Sunday Night Music Club celebrated
the birthday of the immortal Bach at the
residence of Miss Elsa Ulke. playing his
celebrated "Air for the String"-violin.
with plano and string quartet accompani-
ment. the solo by Miss Florence King-to-
gether with three of his sonatas, for pianos