The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-29
Il he Tune that Birmingham HUNS Musicdlly as Well
as Conlnlerciay, is Progress Says Mr. Gunster
BY DOLLY DALRYMPLE

| classifying the towns and cities you know
| by their noises? ..s. ..=5.
New York has its muffled underground
roar, you feel that Gagged safety maybe.
or again maybe not SO safely--is some
great monsted, monster perhaps who
VIII one day burst out to feed in open
| street upon the particular mortaIs he
holds as tid-bit morsels on his menu.
The tune of, New York is always some
| savage creature caged-that roars and
roars for more and still more victims.
Pittsburg to you, as it does to me,
| probably means the anvil Chorus at q
| discordant first rehearsal" 1t is hard
and metallic and smoke draped.
Charleston suggests the old regime
softly tapping waves and leisurely skirts
sweeping down stately old fashioned
| streets And roses-yes, il it's spring
time-roses tapping against the bars OF
great iron gates TO old ahtebelfum gar
dens-all lovely and harmonious in color
and beauty. ..z..s-......-, =..-..
Paris .-..sz......l, s.,..
The tune that Paris is set to is the
happiest of all, for its little feet, we'll
shod with highly polished boots, shining
and glistening In the sunlight, with little
French heels that tap, tap, tap" so
lightly on the asphalt, that the whole
city seems to be beating cadence, keep
ing time day and night to the little trip
ping feet of the chic Parisenne-bless her
heart and soWle! ..-...s .s..s.la. .-.s-
And Birmingham:
What is the tune of this powerful
strong, young city? ........................
1t is "progress'-not alone in its earnest
ness to make iron and steel(? for liv-
ing" as one of our great finaneiers once
put it, but progress in music and art ana
literature-the youthful mind of the great
throng pushing on toward the zenith Oh
artistry-ever striving to rank with. the
most cultured, the best informed, and the
most Intellectual f.t.tit.t, '.,.. ....s-..s-
Into Birmingham there CHANGED feW
years ago to locate a young man-who
quickly caught the tune of this good old
town.
He pursed his lips and whistled the
'sTra-la-la'' of progress the moment he
reached here.
He caught step as the band played,
and he took up the refrain with his
wondrous voice of exquisite quality and
beauteous tone, and fell into line sing
ing of progress. commercial ranks and
art circles as well.
This cvlever young man was Mr.. Fred
erick Gunster.
An artist popularity, favorably known
throughout the east, Mr. Gunster came
here, we'll commended, and after his first
introduction socially and particularly after
his first appearance vocally, he drew
about him a circle of friends than which
there is none more ardent, more devoted
or more sincere in this entire COM
munity.
Mr.. Gunster has made his impress upon
Birmingham as few have done.
His engaging personality, charming
manners and gentlemanly bearing, as well
as his beautiful voice, combined with the
congeniality and popularity of his lovely
wife,. who before her marriage, as Vir-
gnia Graves, was one of Birmingham
sweetest bellies. has made an ideal posi-
ton for this young couple which their
friends enjoy according them at all times,
Mr.. Gunster has been here long enough
to "look over the situation" musically,
and he has been a deep student of condi-
tions here-and in every way has lent his
aid In promoting music and everything
musical.
He very sgracious1y gives the women of
Birmingham much credit for the progress
that has been made here In art circles
Apropos of Mr.. Gunster's appearance
with the lovely and talented Miss Chris
tine Miller at the Music Study club con-
cert on next Tuesday evening" it occurred
to me that it would be interesting to hear
just what he had to say about Birmins-
hams musical status, after a residence
of coupe of years here. SO / asked him
to give me his opinion of things in a gen.
eral way, and what particularly is needed
to promote matters. -'s'=-.
Mr.. Gunster answered by saying:
mo visiting artist, especially upon a
fist appearance, can give an opinion, an
impression on the musical status of any
city, although to my amusement I have
read the most flattering expressions of
artists, voicing their sentiments on condi-
tons musical, after an initial appearance
only. In two years of continuous resi-
dence in a city, however. one cannot help
being impressed one way or another as TO
the appreciation of the demand for mu-
sic, and by music / mean the highest in
music Since taking up my residence
among the charming people of Birning-
ham, | have noted with pleasure among
our cultured people, especially the con-
stantly increasing demand for better mu-
sic"
What has stimulated this appreciation
for the best?" asked.
II would say the conconscientious ef-