The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-25
MISS NORMA SCHOLAR HEARD MA MUSICALE AT HER SALON. TALENTED ALABAMA GIRL IS A OMPOSER-SOclAL HAPPEN 1NGS-ENGAGEMENTS.

I was thinking the other day of the Birmingham girls who have won laurels of which we as a people may be proud. I thought of those who are striving to win recognition in art. In music, too, there is equally as much talent. As l recalled those who are earning the title to fame there came to me the name of one who gifted by nature, with all that the name suggests in appearance and bearing, is preparing to be an operatic singer.
 Among Birminghams talented musicians there is none more popular than Miss Norma Schooar none who more com pletely possesses the sympathy and ap- preciation of the music-lovlng public in her efforts along her special line of work. News of her career abroad, therefore, is always welcome. The story of her achievements brings pleasure to hundreds who wish her well.
 Those who have lived in this city for more years than two or three remember many occasions when Miss Scholars su- perb voice added much to programmes composed of local talent Those who lived here longest and knew her best recall not only Norma Scholar the musician, but Norma Sohoolar the woman, and to the womans soul and broad, beautiful nature there are enyiable tributes paid. To one of these spoke not long since-Mtss Daisy Rowley, who has been her friend, her companion and many times her ad- mirer. q know no woman," said Miss Rowley, "who possesses a more splendid character than does Norma Schoolar. She is one of the noblest women with whom I ever came in contact There have been trying situations, periods of anxiety and deep distress in her life, but these have only seemed to strengthen and give her patience. expect her to accomplish much with her voice. It's one of unusual vol ume and dramatic quality. With train- ing feel sure it will acquire the sweet ness that to me is now in a measure lack ing. This, however, I believe has al- ready been added, as Mrs. Raulston wrote a short time since from Berlin, where she had seen and had heard Miss Scholar sing, that the change in her voice is won- derful
 Miss Scholar began her musical career in Birmingham about 10 years ago. She was a school girl then, but those who heard her sing felt sure of her talent One who has believed in her all through the years of her training was Madame Emile von Navarra who was her earliest teach
 e,r,frf Gffi1f me. iTl this city 10 years ago. Madame Navarro left here for the old world but watched the career of her pupil with the keenest interest In a letter to Miss Edna Smith, written in German, she said Norma Schoolar has a great voice. She will be heard from some day. Five years of study with eminent New York voice teachers prepared Miss Schoolar for her classes here. Her studio in the Watts building is pleasantly recalled by many young Birmingham singers, who were her pupils. Two years ago Miss Schoolar dreams of an opportunity for work with the masters in Germany were fulfilled. She went to Berlin, where she now Is, and there have been many travellers who have known the pleasure of an hour in her salon. She counts it one of her dear est privileges. it is said, to meet the vis- itors from Birmingham, and one of the happiest experiences one can have Is an evening of music in her salon. Her in- structor is Kapellmeister Richard Lowe.
 Mrs. Zac Smith during a recent visit was the guest of honor at one of her charming musicales. There were IS or 20 guests. In one of Mrs. Smiths de- iightfully chatty moods she told me "all about it." Miss Scholar had asked MT. O'Brien of Pittsburg to be her &C., companist MT. o'Brien, by the way, has lately composed an opera, which will es- pecially interest the Virginians among us. He calls it "Ye Old Virginia" The music, Mrs. Smith says, is charming The early and most picturesque period of the old states history is its theme. Those pas sages that deal with the Indian happen ings are wierdly fascinating. Another interesting feature of the programme she arranged for us," said Mrs. Smith, was an aria from Aida sung by Miss Lucie Holmes of Galveston, Tex, who has a number of friends in Birmingham. She was in school here two years at the sem inary She has very sweet voice and is training for the opera.
 One of Miss Scholars prettiest num- bers was the Romance from "Cavalleria Rusticana." But the gem of the evening was her rendition of group of songs from the opera "Die Walkure." Tn this she was magnificent especially so in the Walkure cry which I have never heard sung so splendidly. "Ocean Thou Mighty Monster" from "Oberon," was another of her beautiful selections. She sang, too, that delightful old song, "Mavourneen,' by Lang that so many people love-sang 1t by request. Yes, Miss Scholar will undoubtedly be one of the great singers"