Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-20

wife is equally gifted as Nloil1ist- put
all of these long ago gave up practleIns
or continuing their studies. Even Mrs.
Taft, who fought against the encroach-
ments of social and domestic duties on
her devotion to piano practice. mas sue
cumbed, and now only plays Occasionally
and only in the solitude of her own
apartments, never for her guests. Mrs.
woodward continues her studies She has
a fine voice and that love of music
which makes her practicing and her les.
sons as essential to the completeness OF
her life as food and raiment.
Il have become impressed more and
MORE said Ms. woodward. with the
necessity OF every woman having an out
let for her natural ideas. entirely apart
from the routine of social and domestic
pursuits. The time seems past when
woman can be content just with being
good as one of the witty leaders of the
women's movements puts it, she must be
good for something. OF course, there are
those who preach the od-fashioned wom-
an, who was happy in her kitchen, cook
ing, baking and patching quilts between
times. No one has more respect for the
pioneer woman than |, but times have
changed No one would seriously recon-
mend the man of today with his opportu-
mites of culture and mental development
pioneer. No more should woman be ex-
peCted TO keep III the narrow channel
which marked existence some sixty years
past. The national life has expanded in
every way and women have been affected
by the change as much as men and the
nation collectively. What l think is
that they should not be disaffected by the
change.
Those who love music know how much
there is in its pursuit which takes the dry
monotony out of life and gives an inn
pctus whci. nothing else can approach.
Just now the subject of a national school
for music is before the public in 6. way
and many opinions are exp esSed OF both
sides of the case. As a general PROPOSE
ton, il seems good thing for the nation
TO take care of its own muSlc-lOvIng popu-
Iation instead of sending embryonic ge-
muses. alb DAD for training. l have no
doubt that some time, probably in fifty
years or mo e, the government will take
under its wing all these vast projects of
national education and artistic develop
ment. But Just at present it seems such
a vague prospect that any discussion
seems rather premature. Many even now
think that Uncle Sam might build and
support here in Washington a grand
opera house. 1t would realize the
hopes which many have entertained for
years past, but 1t scarcely appeals to
the legislators who face practical prob
lens for the well-being of the country.
where it touches necessity and not lux
ury.
Then To me the education of those
who wish TO devote their lives to music
is. after all, local and not a national
problem though there is much to be
urged In favor of a great national con-
servatory located in Washington and
conducted after the plan of the other vast
scientific departments of the government,
TO get the flower of the musical profess
sion on the staff of teachers and TO have
an opera house in connection for the
presentation to the public OF the most
talented OF the students. This is in gem
eral what Paris. Berlin, Munich and
other music-loving centers have done for
their geniuses for scores of years. 1t
does not appear to me that American
geniuses have developed in sufficiently
large numbers to warrant any such &C.
ton on the part of the United States.
But locally. in the state and city conserv-
atories, / regret that more atmosphere is
not given musical study. American stu
dents have too many extra neous interests
are too much in hurry and few wish
to permit music TO absorb every other
interest. That is why l favor music
students going abroad 10 study. | be-
iieve that music may be taught just as
Well IN this country as III any other, even