The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-11-11
MORE Than TEN THOUSAND
GIRLS FLOCK TO NEW YORK
EVERY FALL TO STUDY MSlC
But a Small Percentage of Them Win Success i co.
orally the Fodder Who Achieves the Best Results
Most OF Them Unwilling to Do the Hard Work
Necessary to Succeed.
New York Times.)

small percentage Va WlIOfl are resi-
dents Of Greater New York, come to
Manhattan every fall to study singing.
In an attempt to satisfy the craving
ter glory and applause, with a wish to
enjoy the glamour, popularity supposed
~ be associated with life on the con-
cert and operate stage, each one Of
This large number of young women
Yrayitates toward the big city with
an enthusiasm born of self-conidence,
and nurtured by admirers in the home
town.
What becomes Of these ten thousand
girls" How many Of them succeeded
in winning the goal for which ali are
striving? What percentage gives up
before the game is half played? How
many keep on playing to h very end,
with not the slightes, chance Of sue
cess
Few Reach the Goa.
ANY one who has followed musical
and theatrical conditions in New York
will tell YOU that an exceedingly small
number. comparatively, touches the
.osl. 1t is safe to say that at the
close of the season, if an accurate CEN
sus were possible. it would be found
that less than two thousand OF III
number are equipped to earn a living
wage. This situation was set before a
New York teacher, Ward Stephens,
vine has had peculiar opportunities to
study the game from the inside. he
IS recognized in musical circles as an
expert. because he has won MS spurs
not only as an instructor OF singing
nut as a composer and pianist. HIS
experience has been so wide that NJ
can speak with authority. :.
"Analyzing this situation. | WOull
divide the young women into tnre'
classes said Mr.. Stephens. FIRST o
all are the aspirants for operate hon
orS. by far the largest OF the tnre<
classes. They reflect the great strloe
which operate music h. taken In TN
country. They are lured largely by tn
~fauciful stories hat appear daily II
our press regarding the doings OF per
sons associated with the giving .
opera.
Secondly. we have the young WON
Ell who are intent upon becomln SIM
ply concert singers. Unborn tlmioilS
perhaps the influence of a sOmeWna
puritanical ancestry, has IN
ambitions of this class from the roa
leading to opera. The field of churc
singing or the cOncer auditorium
makes a stronger appeal to them.
HlTulN, we udt tIiOSC ~
ell whose desire is merely to becom
teachers. They are content to stud
singing so that they will be equiPpe
H. return to their homes 10 MAKE
living at teaching, or to take pos'.ioi
in sbme of the schools throughout II
country.
Lack Foresight.
PRIMARILY these a~spirants nave n
the sliyhtest idea of what il meal
to become an operate star or 10 D
come a fine singer. They, too. oi'e
confound ambition with eQuipmel
aud all they see is the goal nlgh apo
them. They have not the ability 10 5
even a sign post. much less 10 reau
when they get to it. They do not rea
lr that success AS an operate sAhe
means not only an exceptionally go
voice. and a tremendous fund of mu:
cal experience but years OF sacriii
10 a single. all absorbing purpo'
They must have the power on conce
trstion with application. even thou'
their talent is exceptionally large.
Emotional enthusiasm blinds ma
stgdents of good intention; II caus
them to overlook the value or detaii
work. With their attention hasten
on the ultimate results. they refuse
lay sufficient stress upon the Vaiue
meeting each little problem as II P'
Scnts itself. The fact is. they ;
things i'm bulk.
II is not the girl OF talent or lai
m's;cal gifts who usually succeeds.
y the plodder; the one VINO mas
healthy ambition TO make her !
worth while. the desire to DO son
thing we'll. She chooses a musicaI J
because. she loves music. ] 40
'hirk | would be far wrong IN say
That for every one who succeeds 'H
are nine hundred and ninety-nlhe >
dents Of real musical talent or wn'
w. never hear. The successfui {
may not possess any great taleht
music. but size must have an eA'
ordinary capacity for hard work an
very clear vision.
IT is not To near
amateur singer in a roc
room. possessing a quality of voice !
- very musical and a tenlperanleh.
considerable charm, together VIII
personality that causes heI isteh