The Washington herald., 1912-04-14

The music lovers OF washington Will
Ehave the opportunity tomorrow night 70
Near the English singer. Mrs. John
Hornsby silby. who makes her FIRST APP
pearance in this city at the Polyphouic
Choir concert. TO be given in Carroll
Hall. in Street. between Ninth and
Tenth Streets Northwest.
Mrs. Silby Is a pupil Of Manuel Garcia,
one OF the celebrated masters Of the old
Italian school, and also studied with
Sims Reeves, who earned the reputation
Of being the worlds peerless tenor. Mrs.
SiIby in her early married life organized
many concerts in London with great sue
cess, and received royal and distinguished
patronage. She is the mother OF r. Mills
Silby, the talented young conductor OF
st. Patrick's sanctuary choir. who came
to this city three years ago from West
minister Catholic Cathedral, in London.
Born in the picturesque county Of
Northamptonshire. England. Mrs. Silby
is the second surviving daughter Of the
late Robert Mills the Manor House Co
genhoe. Unlike many young girls Of the
present time. the chief part of her young
days was spent at boarding school. and
at an early age she married John Horns
by Silby. eldest son Of John silby. Of
Pitsford Hall. Northamptonshire Mr..
and Mrs. SiIby eventually took up their
residence at Highgate, North London,
where she had larger scope and greater
opportunities for the study Of her beloved
art
The concert at which Mrs. siIby ap-
pears as soloist tomorrow night will be
the first appearance in public of the
Polyphonic Choir. which was founded by
r. Mills Silby. When asked last night
concerning the purposes OF the Poly
phonic Choir, Mr.. SiIby said:
The principal objects OF this choir are,
first, to elevate the standard OF choral
singing; second, to keep in the mind Of
the public that unaccompanied vocal
music is still possible in this very mod
ern age, and. third, to perform polyphonic
music, !. E., works for a great number
Of parts. The distinction between poly
phonic counterpart, such as we ind in
wagner. Strauss. Roger. and Debusey,
is but slight, with the exception that the
latter are modern, and, OF course, think
in different way: whereas the masters
Of the Romer- school commenced 10 exist
in the eleventh century. and II Is 10 them
the great art Of music owes its present
position In the world to-day. Why not
therefore become more acquainted with
their works?
1T is sad reflection" continued Mr..
Silby, when one considers that about
that they ever existed. Who would cease
to honor George Washington simply be-
cause he was the first President and
lived in another age? Who, therefore,
able to appreciate good musical art,
should be in ignorance Of its very source
and development? 1t is this latter that
the Polyphonic Choir will assist 1t will
interpret from time to time all those
works that should see light, that in
most cases have been hidden for CEN
turies.'
Rowland w. Durham gave the tenth
Of the series Of organ recitals. under
the auspices Of the D. C. Chapter of the
American Guild OF Organists, last Tues
day night, in st. Andrews Church. Mr..
Dunham's programme was an excellent
one, and well calculated to exhibit his
scholarly attaiRments. Particularly sue
cessful was the movement from the
Handel Concert and the brilliant Con-
cert Etude, by Whiting.
Miss Georgia E. Miller will entertain
at a studio tea this afternoon. Miss
Miller will be assisted by her senior