The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-17
Making a Musicale
 Memorable

T<HE closing soiree of her music
 class is always an important
 event in a child's life. especially
 if she is to play for the first Such hours of diligent practice. Such prinking beforehand to do honor to the festal occasion. Such intense excite- ment as ones name on the programme is read for the first time. Such thump- ing heart and flushed little face when at last the important moment arrives for the piece" to be played. An, the triumph when, the wonderful feat ac- complished without one tiny note gone wrong, one retires from the piano amid rapturous applause of 'doting friends!
 Is there anything quite like those first musicales of youth? We remember them all our lives-the more if our later years do not fulfil the promise or our infant Why not make this occasion even more red letter day in memory by giv- ing the young performer little girt! 1t need not be expensive, this gi1t' but 1t should be appropriate.
 There are many things from which to choose. A prettily framed portrait of one of the great composers to hang in a childs own room is sure to pc iiked. Then there is large scrap DOOR, m which has been pasted small prints Of the greatest musicians of the ages. Each of these pictures should be given a page or two where the little student may paste anecdotes, criticisms or biographies, with possibly other pie lures pertaining to the composer. his home and family.
 Such a book will prove invaluable. both for reference. and as training in the literary side of music. It's advan- tage has become so manifest that many of the best instructors now have their pupils keep a scrap book as part of the regular course.
 Delightful biographies of musicians,
 
 and schools. studies of the operas, ora- forios. symphonies and church music, stories of the folksongs of many lands, musical encyclopedias, diction- pretty bound volume of one of these will not merely please your little daughter or son, but will serve as a starter for a musical library.
 Every serious student of music feels the need of such collection. as. for some strange and unknown reason, many public libraries otherwise well equipped are lamentably lacking in musical reference books.
 to be played, graded to give the little student an incentive to hard practice. makes Q nice gift.
 music roll, also. is acceptable. Be very careful in choosing tnls iattsr, TOT or music bags, and woo betide the mother who buys one that is not like the other girls. The roll most In favor IS one made of flexible leather, black, dark blue or tan, with either fiat handle at the back like those on the big purses that are carried over the fingers, or double handles at the top like an old-fashioned reticule. The, prime essential Is. how fiat, so that the music is not creased or bent.
 If one can afford it, very nice gift is @ metronome. Time is a weak point to many children and this little ttna,I instru- s W,,ch more expensive, but a great boon to parents as well as child. would he a gift of a clavier. A fine technique may thus be acquired without racked nerves for the unmusical members of the family to whom the incessant sound of a piano, giving forth finger exercises ana scales, is positive torture.
 Try this musical gift-making at this Jane,s soiree, and see if both you and vo,lr little musician are not so pleased that 1t will become a habit which will last through the ten or twelve years usually devoted to girls or boys mu- sical education.