New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-14
MUSICAL MATTERS.
woMEN's MUSICAL CLUBs-A QUESTION OF
AoENTs-MR Mcdowell AND AMERI-
CAN coNcERTs-THAYER APPREcIAT-
ED IN vIENNA--A HYMN FOR THE
QUEENS BIRTHDAY-NOTEs AND

QUEENS BIRTHDAY-NOTEs AND
ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Several hundred women interested in the ad-
vancenent OF musical culture in the United states
met in ST. Louis twelve days ago and spent many
hours In discussing plans for the pursuit OF their
work They were delegates to the second annual
meeting of the Federated Musical Clubs, an or
ganixation which had Its inception In New-York
at the meeting OF the Music Teachers National
Association In 1897 and was established at meet.
ing in Chicago in 1895 Concerning the significance
pf these clubs The Tribune has frequently spoken.
and a study made the ground during the meet
fngs from May to May confirmed the attitude
adopted by this journal at the beginning OF the
snovement and maintained ever since The move
uent is much stronger in the West than In the
East, but this Is only natural. The need OF the
clubs is greater In the West than in the East
Their primary mission is to cultivate music practi-
cally and study its history. science and aesthetics
Where concerts by professional artists are plenti-
full amateur performers are relegated TO the private
circle and there is considerable discussion OF must
cal history and philosophy TO be found In the bet
ter class of newspaper criticism In this manner.
TOO each of the large cites Of the East is centre
of influence which extends over wide area within
which interest and thought are kept alive. In the
Snaller and more isolated towns Of the West these
clubs not only make the bulk of the music which
Is heard but also provide opportunities for hearing
itinerant artists The highest class Of orchestral
and chamber music Is fostered In a number Of
cities by means OF the clubs which assume the
risks attendant public concerts. Clubs that can
bring the Chicago Orchestra or the Knese Quartet
to their towns annually not many. but they
exist and their value in the scheme Of artistic edu
cation can scarcely be overestimated.
There are about 300 women's musical clubs in the
United States About eighty OF them were repre-
scented at the st. Louis meeting. delegates being
present from the following towns and cities: Alton.
-
lumbia. Mo-; Danbury. Conn; Davenport. Iowa:
Dayton. Ohio: Decatur. ILL.,: Denver. Col. Engle-
wood N. j.: Fergus Falls. Mimi; Fort Wayne.
Ind; Grand Rapids. Mich; Independence. Iowa;
indianapolis, Jacksonville Fla; Knoxville Tenn;
Lincoln Neb.; Little Rock Ark; Nation. ILL.,:
Memphis, Tenn: Mobile. Ala. NewYork City.
Owensboro, KY; Rockford. Ill; sedalia. Mo; st.
Louis, st. Paul. Mimi; Topeka. Kan. and Tyler.
Tex 1t was announced that from forty TO fifty
other clubs had indicated intention to Join the
federation. The time Of the delegates was occu-
pied forenoon. afternoon and evening with business
meetings receptions and entertainments. the latter
provided by local organizations. The generosity
which marked OF these entertainments as
well the prosperity OF the hosts may be read In
such facts these: The Union Musical Club. Of
st. Louis, engaged the Kneisel Quartet for two
concerts which given in honor Of the visitors.
no tickets being placed sale. The Wednesday
Club a literary body. invited the delegates to hear
a lecture by Mr. Krehbiel on Folk Song in Amer
tca" illustrated by Mrs. Krehbiel. and Alfred
Robyn the latter a much-admired local pianist,
and entertained the audience afterward with re-
freshments The professional musicians OF ST.
Louis gave a concert. and every meeting was en-
livened with music contributed by members OF the
federation.
Three practical schemes for extending the useful
ness Of clubs occupied the greater part OF the
attention at the business meetings OF the fedora
ton. One Of these. and perhaps the most impor-
tant one as II turned out also 10 be the most
troublesome was the question Of agents and ar
lists II was this consideration. indeed. which was
chiefly instrumental In calling the federation into
being. The fee Of artist Of frst-cass Importance
is as rule prohibitive TO all but half dozen OF
the clubs and 1t thought that by combining
so as to offer larger list OF engagements than
could be expected under ordinary circumstances
both small and large towns might benefit The
report OF the committee to which the subject had
been referred discouragng. and in the discus
sion that followed II appeared that considerable
number of the delegates were In favor Of taking
the matter out of the hands OF a committee TO
which II had been suggested that the engagement
Of artists be intrused. and placing 1t in the hands
Of a single member, who would thus be acting as
an agent for the club. similar proposition had