New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-21
RUIN IN MUSIC
Students Who Throw Away
Careers on Voices That Do
Not "Pan Out"

Fortunes and careers are being wasted
for the love Of music in such wholesale
fashion that, were statistics obtainable
the public would be appalled,"
The statement was made recently Nv
George Hamlin, OF tho Chicago Opera
company, who is visiting this city.
Few persons realize the extent OF IN.
damage and sorrow resulting from the
widespread inability TO judge the POSSIBLE.
tiles OF young musicians. Estimating from
the number Of persons who drop music
as a study and those who fail 10 support
themselves and their families through its
agency, barely per cent succeed, within
the common understanding OF the word.
Although I am not in favor Of any
ones taking up a glorious art and apply
ing 1t solely for money gain, consider
it tragic that so many persons OF insult
Client means embark on the treacherous
sea of professional music without know
ing their chances of a successful voyage
In most cases the dreamed-of Cathay
turns out to be nothing.
1.-THE error frequently dates back for
years. 1t is q common spectacle to find
young woman or a young man declaring
an intention 20 train for opera In the
majority Of cases this decision is based
on the advice Of unenlightened relatives
and friends, who know little OF the exist
ing standards and requirements, but new
ertheless fondly encourage the owner Of
the voice 10 believe that he or she DOS.
sesses wonderful resources.
Unfortunately, few individuals can by
their own hearing determine the quality
and strength OF their vocal organs They
are obliged, therefore, 10 accept the opin.
ions of others.
Now, II happens that every one who
sings is more or less sensitive about his
'oice. II is an infinitely personal thing
Just as the eyes are sometimes termed the
windows OF the soul, the singing yoica
might be called the door TO the heart One
unaccustomed to expressing his emotions
through this channel, such as young
singer, is inordinately sensitive TO all crit
icism.
Few, indeed, are the persons willing
to incur dislike by telling their intimats
friends what they really think of their
singing. The result is that the en-.
thusast-suppose it is a woman-goes 10
a teacher for a trial Ten to one the lat.
ter, observing some latent vocal ability,
ager to experiment and, OF course, need
ing money, assures the prospective pupil
that it would be an error not 10 begin
! lessons Immediately.
In many cases the victim is told that
| she possesses an unusual quality, anu
! ought to make opera after two or three
years studying To continue as she has
| been singing will ruin her voice.
In short, the pupil, having more deter
mination than talent begins an arduous
| routine OF exercises 10 develop the latent
| quality. She discovers that she has never
breathad correctly. and several months
are spent in studying the diaphragm, the
cavities of the head and chest and the
| proper pose OF the singing artist Often
! the tuition includes an exhaustive study
| OF functions as we'll as anatomy, during
| which time the pupil is warned not 10
| sing note for any one.
! mot yenturinG to criticise the inadyisa'
1 bnity OF learning these subjects, il is evil
! dent that in the case OF one whose talents