El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-02


under its music committee has had
no small influence in elevatjng the
musical standards of the nation a
feature Of the program OF the biennial
convention at San FRANCISCO VIII be
the work of the musical committee.
This consists of a brilliant musical en-
treatment which viii be given IN the
theater building of the university OF
California at Berkely, as part Of the
entertainment, while the biennial is
being entertained there. The plan con-
sists OF a musical pageant represent
ing the evolution OF music since the
year 400.
The musical members of the General
federation are in a way affiliated with
the National Federation of Musical
clubs, which is modelled closely upon
the line of the larger organization, al
! though the organizations are separate
and distinct. Both are active in pro-
noting interest in a distinctly Ameri-
can music and in securing a higher
standard of musical taste by placing
really good music within reach Of All
classes of people. The General fedora
ton has under its control a number OF
musical scholarships which provide for
advanced musical education at the best
musical centers Of the country and the
establishment of a foreign scholarship
TO be awarded by competitive eXamina-
ton, similar to that OF the English
scholarship in London, to the American
girl giving best evidence Of musical
ability. The plans for this scholarship
are not yet fully matured, but it will
be discussed at the present biennial
and steps taken to secure the neces-
sary funds through the musical clubs
Of the different states
Prizes For Best Work
A number of prizes for original mu-
steal compositions have been awarded
by the federated club women Of the
country and competitions for prizes for
an orchestral work and symphony are
now open. The first prize is $500 and
the second is $500. There are three
students prizes and one of $50 for the
best cantata for WOmen's voices. This
competition will close Sept. I and no
manuscripts will be received after Aug
l. During the past year 1000 has been
raised and appropriated for prizes for
original composition by the federated
musical clubs. The competitions are
open only to native Americans
Memphis a Music Center.
Memphis, Tenn, has been the center
OF much musical activity largely
through the efforts of Mrs. Napoleon
Hill, who built a handsome women's
club house and has been on the board
OF managers of the National Federation
Oh musical clubs since its Organiza ton
and which still makes Memphis its
headquarters. There are several musi-
cal clubs in Memphis which are leading
IN the musical activities of the country
systematic program for seven
years work has lately been issued for
tic bEnC4AL VI TIE CluDS WnlCn Wish 10
undertake serious and systematic mu-
steal study. 1t is so arranged that any
years work may be taken singly IL
desired During the first year one
days program is devoted to the DEM
onstration of each of the following sub
JectS; harmony, musical form the de-
Yelopment of the piano, the elementary
history OF music, methods of teaching
the voice, the distinctive features in
the oratoriO, the orchestra, and orches-
tral instruments. The second wear is
devoted to advanced history of music
and 1t is recommended that the clubs
Illustrate 1t as much as possible by
musical selections from different De
rlods. In this connection the musical
entertainment of the biennial cOnven-
ton Will be suggestive. The third year
IS devoted to the study of the music OF
al OF the European nations excepting
Germany, and the fourth, fifth and
s4Xth years have programs connected
entirely with the DEVELOPMENT of Ger
man music. The seventh wear is to
De filled by study of the literary
works of all of the famous COMPOSERS
o. the world. While a large number
OF clubs have already undertaken To
adopt this entire plan of study. 1t will
pc modified in most Of them, but the
influence of such a methOdical arrange
menI OF study on the part of the mu-
sically inclined women il is felt will
De helptul in many indirect ways
Secure Pianos For Schools.
CluD women are always interested
IN the improvement of the public
schools and the musical climbs are ac-
tive in many directions for the mr.
pose Many schools owe their piauOs
10 the beneficence Of the club Women
o. the town and they are always ready
TO endorse any movement looking TO-
wards the provision for proper musical
instruction IN the schools. The St Ce-
ella society Of Grand Rapids. Mich.
mas lately given attention to the seIec-
ton Of music specially adapted 70 chill
he
the club a special choir of 500 chill
uren voices has been trained and il
mas given several public appearances
In connection with anniversary ceIe-
brations. In this connection attention
IS DelnS gwen to the danger of inter
terIng with the regular school work
OF the children. and all these musical
affairs are planned with the cOoDera-
tion of the teachers, the board of edu-
cation and the superintendent of
schools, and they are made simple so
as to be really helpful in the all around
development of the children
The club women are active in everv
CITY IN providing as many free musical
programs as possible and often are
active IN the selection Of the music for
such programs. Concerts by the mu-
nlcipal bands in the public parks are
often secured largely through the in
fluence of club women, and these are
supplemented frequently by other mu-
steal entertainments. The musical sec
ton of Chicago club has a fund with
which it provides musical programs in
different sections Of the city for the
benefit of the people of different
natiOnalities- The e are Italian
programs in the italian quarter.
German programs in the German quar-
ter and a special HUNGARIAN band
each winter was engaged to give three
concerts in their native music TO an
audience of Hungarians living in the
vicinity of one of the big meat pack
ing establishments.
Concerts in Aims Houses.
Most of the musical clubs have phil
anthrOpic sections through which they
arrange to provide music for many who
wuold otherwise have little of it in
heir lives. Several clubs in Tennessee
arrange to give Thanksgiving day and
Christmas concerts to the inmates of
the country almshOuses, the asylums
Tor the aged and other places of refuge
Tor the unfortunate The programs for
these concerts are selected with great
are and the old melodies which appeal
10 those who have had no opportunity
or musical development are included |
other clubs in different cities some
times arrange to visit prisons and pen
tentiaries and provide musical treats
Tor the prisoners.
The evolution of the player piano
has been a matter much discussed in |
The musical clubs. At first these
EusicaI instruments were frowned
upon, but as they developed in perfec-
ion their many good qualities became /
apparent. Women who had all of their |
ives felt the lack of music in their !
homes found this a means of supplying /