The age-herald., 1899-11-05
THE MOST MUSICAL
 CITY IN THE SOUTH
Birmingham Enjoys That Envia-
 ble Reputation.
SPLENDID LOCAL TALENT
Many Organizations Give Encourage ment to the Art-May Festival Asso- citation Permanent Institution
 The Future is Bright

As Birmingham enjoys the reputation of being the most musical city in the south it should be an easy matter to induce Pad erewsA and other famous virtuosi to ap- pear here during the present season. Be- tore the Auditorium was built there was mot hall In Birmingham large enough to accommodate an audience which would satisfy high-prdced artist like Paderensk But with the Auditorium this city would give any really great musician a paying house.
 The Treble Clef club did excellent work last season and 1t promises to do even bet ter this. It is rehearsing "The Lady of Shallot, music by Bendall, for it's con cert to be given this month The members of the club are good singers and sight read CTS and Benjamin Guckenberger doubtless finds it real pleasure to direct them.
 It is understood that the May Festival association will hold a business meeting this month for the purpose of discussing scope and plan for next years festival If this had been done early in the fall the chorus rehearsals might now have been well under way. Members of the chorus have been eager to begin work, but they will hardly be able to do more than organ dze until after Christmas, as December will soon be here, and that is a busy month with most people. The festival held last May having been financial as well as an artistic success, the management will feel encouraged to provide for even grander concerts next May. The Boston Festival orchestra will probably be again engaged, but with different vocal soloists, with the but with different vocal soloists. With the nished by the Boston Festival orchestra were very disappointing.
 The Birmingham Festival Orchestra as- sociation, of which E. Lesser is president, and Benjamin Guckenberger is conductor, announces that the first concert under its auspices will take place at the Auditorium as early in December as practical. The or chestra is made up of Birmingham's best talent, mostly professional, and those who have attended recent rehersals say that it is making fine progress. MT. Gucken- berger expected to get good results, and he says he has not been disappointed. The last two rehearsals, he says, were especially satisfactory. There will DC a meeting of the Musical union this afternoon and the festival orchestra, 1t is thought Will re- ceive the unions hearty endorsement. With the right sort of cooperation this festival orchestra will certainly prove h1gn credit to Birmingham.
 It is the intention of the Festival Or chestra association to give a series of six or seven concerts between now and next April The first programme will include one or two bright overtures, two move ments from Haydns Surprise" symphony, a waltz by Delibes, "The Blue Danube" by Strauss, and "Ronde D'Amour," by West erhaut Music lovers have asked time and again, "Why can't Birmingham have symphony orchestral" We'll, beginning has been made. It remains to be seen whether the musical public will show its appreciation by a liberal purchase of tickets.
 Next to an oratorio chorus, nothing con- tributes so much toward real musical cul- ture as an orchestra capable of playing works of artistic value.
 Justin Thatcher, the tenor, receives $1OO per month for his services in the choir of Tulip. Street Methodist church in Nash ville This is perhaps the largest choir salary paid in the south