The age-herald., 1899-04-30
MUSIC TAUGHT BY THE BEST METHODS The Birmingham Conservatory a
 Great Success. ITS PECULIAR ADVANTAGES Terms Moderate and Results Excellent The Director Musician ofFine
 Attachments and Wide
 Experience.
ITS PECULIAR ADVANTAGES

Birmingham is noted for the number and excellence of it's educational institutions, and in the matter of musical culture 1t mas taken a dominant position. Certainly no music school in the south, and few in the United States can be compared to the Bir- mingham Conservatory of Music, of which Benjamin Guckenberger is the director. It is an institution of which Alabama may well feel proud. Its standard is very high and it's methods are thorough and in every respect modern.
 It was founded by MT. Guckenberger in July, 1895, and has not only been an educa- tional success from the start, but from a commercial point of view it has succeeded beyond expectations Tho attendance the first year was most encouraging, while that of the second year showed an increase of 100 per cent; and now the list of pupils numbers something like two hundred.
 That musical talent abounds in this sec- ton Is a fact that is never questioned; but until Mr. Guckenberger established the Conservatory there was a decided lack of energy in the musical field and a decided lack of systematic instruction. Today he conditions are very different. For moder- ate outlay of money one pursues here a course of study that yields the finest re- suits. Whether the pupil means to be professional musician or simply an amateur the end attained is equally gratifying. The same pains are taken and the same meth- ods are used with those intending to be amateurs only, as with those who intend to be professionals. And the institution lis open to pupils of all ages-beginners and advanced students alike. The methods em ployed are in every particular the same us those in vogue in the more expensive con servatories of the north. Thus 1t is that the Birmingham Conservatory offers mu- sieal advantages as good in most points as any conservatory in large city.
 In other days there was a deal of wasted energy in music pedagogy in the south Teachers either did not know how to teach or children were not encouraged or re- quired to- apply themselves. The results were obvious. We had inferior performers at the piano and the organ and inferior singers in the parlor and in the choir. But parents and students are coming to realize that music is a serious business and must be taught and studied on the same lines as mathematics and the classics. And the time must come when every child must be made to acquire soma proficiency in music; when music must be included in a general education.
 The principal reason why the Birming- ham Conservatory of Music takes ehe high rank it does is because it's founder and di- rector is thoroughly equipped for his work. MT. Guckenberger is master musician, in love with his profession. He is an artist and an exceptionally fine teacher himseif and he therefore knows well how to select efficient teachers to assist him. But one of the most important facts about this director is his wide experience. Few men of his age Che is about 34 years old), have had the advantages that he has enjoyed. Born and reared in Cincinnati, a distinctively musical city, he breathed a musical atmo- sphere from infancy. After studying in Cincinnati during his youth he went to Europe to complete his musical education. He worked assiduously at the Scharwenka Conservatory of Music in Berlin. He stud jed piano forte with the famous Xayer Scharwenka and composition and score reading with Philipp Scharwenka, and in both piano playing and score reading he was regarded as most gifted pupil. Later he studied conducting and score reading under Gustav Kogel, then director of the great Philharmonic orchestra of Berlin, now director of the grand orchestra at Frankfurt; still later he studied under George Henschel of London.
 On returning to Cincinnati finely edu- cated musician he taught in the College of Music until he was induced by prominent citizens of Birmingham to locate here. It was during that Cincinnati period that he got the practical experience in accom- panying, chorus training, and orchestral and oratorio work which makes him the broad and accomplished musician he is.
 For six years he was the accompanist of the Cincinnati festival chorus under the eminent conductor, Theodore Thomas and he often says that his experience with Thomas was of incalculable benefit to him. His pluck and energy in Cincinnati were generally remarked. He was noted for his enterprise. It was he who gave for the first time in the United States Schumann's Advent Hymn and the Kings Son" by 
 music ,Hummel's Columbus" and the "Ben and the Dragon" grand Welsh music-one of the Eistedfodd works-by Barter Johns. All of the compositions named belong to the highest class and are for chorus soloists and orchestra. In Cincinnati he also brought out in concert form Scharwenka's "Mataswintha." The composer came to that city for the purpose of honoring his former pupil and at the same performance Scharwenka played his B flat minor con- certo, MT. Guckenberger directing the or chestra. According to the local press re- ports the distinguished foreigner applauded and embraced Guckenberger for the ad- mirable manner in which he handled his tempt and the band.
 In Birmingham MT. Guckenberger has done almost phenomenal things in raising the standard of music, and especially in raising choral music to It's present condl- tion. He is the choir master at St. Mary's Episcopal church and at Temple Emanuel. He has given Handels oratorio, ''The Mes siah," three times, and he has also given Handers Judas Maccabeus'; also, Gou- ? mods Redemption" and Grauns Passion" music. He is constantly giving the music- lovers of this city the benefit of his knowl- edge and experience by producing rare and beautiful works-new and old. But his crowning achievement for Birmingham is the splendid music festival now at hand. All the choral numbers for this occasion will be new in this city. Benoits chill urens cantata will not only be new here, but it will be it's third performance in America.
 No wonder, then, that Birmingham ap- preciates the value of MT. Guckenberger and the conservatory which he directs.
 The faculty of the conservatory consists of
 Benjamin Guckenberger, piano, normal, oratorio and choral classes; also, score reading and conducting classes.
 Miss Edna Gockel, first assistant piano teacher and theory department
 Miss c. D. Glover, assistant piano faarher D