New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-30
EVERY ONE CAN SING"
at Least, Hiss PosoeU Says 1t Is a
Simple Process.

"Al you ladies can sing II you want to- de-
clared Miss Ella Powell. beaming encourag ingly
at the forty fifty assembled in Mrs.
Louise Katharine Harnstt's home at the Rutland.
yesterday afternoon. ''Au you need is control OF
your breath and the ability TO see pictures vvidly
IN your MIND A tirnid who has never sung a
note. but who has earnest desire TO sing. a
speaking voice and a listening ear, sing
Miss Powell. who advertised TO densOLstrats
how any may acquire a beautiful aakng or
singing voice without the usual hours Of pre-
nninary voice gymnastics. began her talk by sing
ing three more or less familiar ballads Then:
Il think more time and money wasted on the
voice than anything else in the world. she said.
pulling of OF her long suede gloves and cast
ing Il upon the top OF the plano with artistic care
lessness. Il know I spent years and dollars cul-
tivsting my voice. only ind that must spend
more years and money to unlea-n the method that
I had learned. Then asked myself, Is there a
method in singingT
I remember asking dentist why he made
such q buzzing over the very trifing thing he was
doing TO my teeth so TO make my patients feel
they are getting their moneys worth was his
reply. I think most Of the vocal teachers have a
method with the similar purpose Of innpressins
their pupils. have method"
Then Miss Powell took a dip into scienceA She
talked about the music OF the spheres, which she
characterized as no poets hgment, but a solid fact
and about the luminosity OF the human frame
Then. returning TO the voice. she emphasized the
necessity Of losing sef-cOnsciousness and concen-
trating the mind on The images conjured up by
the music. IF you are singing about dewdrops,
she counseIled, you must dedicate your notes TO
the beads on the meadow grass. shouldn't have
sung that song nearly so well II hadn't seen
the old nanny and the child IN her arms and
the angels"
And Miss Powell closed her eyes and smiled as
Il the seraphic vision were still with her
I'VE could tell you them" put in one OF
yourself while You were singing" The other
women laughed
Il shouldn't mind looking like a nanny II I
could look Ike my dear old nanny" re-
turned Miss Powell laughing. too.
Then she discussed the point whether a good
speaking voice is advantage or hindrance TO
the singing voice, concluding with call for greater
courage and simplicity IN singing.
CLOSE to nature-that Is the call or the hour.
Whatever IS done simply IS done easily. Know
thysef and then YOU VIII sing. manifesting in
yourself the glory of God
As concentration is essential TO seeing things
In your mind when you sing. Miss Powell here
called on Mrs. Harnett TO tell the how to
concentrate. Fixing her eyes the Oriental star
mounted tho platform and talked about molecules.
rates OF vibration. primary motion. the ether.
sound waves. etc. 7 studied the science OF vibra-
ton IN India she remarked, casually where
learned men have taught IL for five Thousand
years" The last words belonged Miss Powell
Little children she said. ought not 70 be set
down 10 the piano 20 pound and pound while all
IN the yard street That IS simply tearing the
nervous system apart. 7 believe every one should
sing II only for the vent II gives the emotions
People heve 6ied for want OF a means OF express
Ing their emotions. When ] torn with emotion
IND nothing gives me such comfort TO sing