The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-29

Kate Eggleston Junkermann of this city,
u becoming a national authority on the
training of the speaking voice. She is writ
Ing series of articles on the subject for
The Womans Home Companion. Her first
Paper published this month IS very inter-
sstng and is as follows:
No end Of papers are written on the
Methods to be pursued in cultivating the
Voice for singing. The authors are singers
Aho have acquired the proficiency which
has made them famous. But it is the
tarest thing to read a practical article on
the cultivation of the speaking voice.
Following the fashion Of most graduates
re cite the brilliant examples which his
tory affords US: Madame de Stael was
leader in Partisan salons because she could
talk well De Maintenon gained and kept
The tickle Louis interest in her art Of talk
ing, and there are more instances than one
would imagine who has not given some
time 10 investigation where women who
could talk well have made a noticeable
impression in some important affair.
No charm is greater or more surely at
tractive than sweet, strong voice; yet
most women are slow to recognize il. The
lnfrequency of hearing a really pleasant
eoice-a voice at once soothing and inspir-
ing, gentle yet expressive, sweet yet strong
lis very noticeable
The objection Is frequently raised that
voice isSnaturally discordant, and even by
great effort cannot be subdued and modu-
lated But it can be. There is no voice,
unless It comes from deformed organs,
which cannot be trained till its vibrations
are more numerous, its volume greater and
its clearness increased. Of course, if dis
ease or deformity affect the vocal appara-
tus any training viii have less effect, and
possibly can never accomplish the produe-
ton Of musical voice Training cannot,
however, fail 10 improve its quality,
strengthen the organs, and in some meas
IRE help to overcome the influence Of dis
ease or deformity.
The average girls voice is high and
shrll, but we excuse it because it seems
an attribute Of youth When, however,
womanhood is reached, and the voice fails
to deepen and ill out, we show our dis
approval.
The training should be begun with the
first little baby words but it is not. usually.
It is never too late to mend, however,
90 each girl should listen to her own voice
critically, and realizing it's deficiencies,
should seek a remedy.
If this article should happen to fall under
4 mans eyes he would conclude just here
that the whole plan to be outlined would
fail because its first requirement-to keep
,he mouth shuts an impossibility We.
however, who know women very person
ally and intimately know that she can
10 II, if there is anything to be gained.
Proper breathing is so essential in voice
production that it must receive first at
tenton, and the requirement just given is
very necessary.
OF course, no tone can he either strong
or pure If the lungs are cramped so that
the air cannot find room. In order to in
crease the size Of the lung-cavity, raise the
chest and keep the body well and strongly
poised.
SO much harm has been done to voices
by allowing the mouth 10 become the regu-
lar air passage that the need OF care can