The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-19

Music at all times has played an im- portant part in the worlds drama, but at no time has it reached such high plane as the present and at no time have people been so well qualified to appreciate its beauty and it's influence.
 Nations have their lyrics which have in spired heroes to imperi their lives on the field of battle. Amphion built the walls of Thebes by the power of his music and the rude hearts of the Argonauts who ac- companied Jason in his quest of the Col den Fleece were softened by the magic strains of Orpheus. Fletcher of Saltoun said that if he were permitted to write the songs. he cared not who made the laws of the country.
 Is it any wonder. then, in this enlight- ened day that the most cultured, the most artistic ,and the most esthetic classes de- vote their time and energy to the perfec- ton of this most beautiful of all arts?
 Throughout the south of late years there has been marvellous musical awak- ening: not only have people become better educated from a musical standpoint, but they are reading the literature of music and acquainting themselves with the
 
 who wrote music and made 1t.
 To no one in Birmingham belongs the credit of musical uplift here more espe- cially than MT. William Gussen. the tal- ented and able head of the Gussen School of Music. and his brilliant and accom- plished wife and co-worker.
 MT. and Mrs. Gussen stand for the best that is in music; for the most ar tistic and for a far-reaching ambition that is satisfied with nothing short of perfection in it's various branches.
 MT. Gussen since a mere boy has de voted his life and talent to music, having had superior advantages in many ways, particularly in being associated in other days with some of the great orchestras of the east, playing with them and de- irving many valuable lessons from such opportunities The past winter the Treble Clef club has been most fortunate in se- curing his services as director of that or ganization.
 In talking with MT. Gussen q few days ago about the music festival and what it means to Birmingham. he said:
 MT. Damrosch and his beautiful New York symphony orchestra have been largely responsible for the great awaken ing that the south has experienced in mu- sical circles within the last few years. MT. Damrosch brings us a finely equipped body of musicians; men who are artistic in their work and we'll under his baton. He is a fine exponent of the master mu sician in conducting, as the many testi- monials the past winter in New York at his twenty-fifth anniversary as conductor of the New York Symphony testified It is a liberal education in itself for our musicians and particularly our music students to have the chance to hear such an orchestra. The mere fact of being able to show them such an aggregation of players; the proper instruments which constitute an orchestra, is something, and l will cheerfully say that at no time in my musical career have I heard more finished and beautiful orchestration than MT. Damrosch gave us last season at the festival"
 There are pleasant anticipations in store for us in regard to the Treble Clef club and it's appearance this evening" suggested.
 ',rhe club is in very good trim, replied MT. Gussen. We have worked very hard, and l am glad to say have accom- plshed satisfactory results. am. .a great believer in doing well whatever one at tempts and. one thing about ;the work of the Treble Clef club that particularly pleases me is that we have learned the music which we are to sing tonight with out a single extra rehearsal. We have met once a week as usual, and for one