Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-03

The announcement of ten-thousaho-
dollar prize to be awarded to the COM
poser of the best opera written IN 'he
next year by an American musician IL
naturally exciting interest and specuia-
ton here as elsewhere among members
OF the musical profession. The prize Is
offered by the National Federation OF
Music Clubs. recently holding Its pien-
NAL convention in Chicago. The oner
was made possible by the generosity OF
citizens of Los Angeles, who have NOT
only already raised the prize money, but
who promise to produce the opera during
the Panama Pacific exposition in l91o and
TO present it by American artists or IN
ternational fame and on scale unsur-
passed before in America, and for this
purpose have already $4,000 additional
provided.
The conditions of the contest. which
IS now open, are as follows: I'D, Both
the composer and librettist must be
bona fide citizens of the United States;
Cd the opera must be grand opera, so
recognized. OF one, two or three acts;
go the libretto must be in English
and the text worthy Of the sponsorship
of the National Federation of Music
Clubs; ca every other qualification be-
-lfbretto of American characters and
story: go the manuscript must be
submitted between July ] and August
1. 1914: TO- all scores must be anony-
nous. the composers signing them with
some mark of Identification and send
ing with the manuscript in each case a
sealed envelope containing name iden-
tincation mark, present address and
birthplace; 90 the award will be made
by a jury of recognized musical author
tiles. selected by the National Federation
of Music Clubs the agreement of two
thirds Of the jury being necessary for the
award. All scores must he in ink and
clearly written. and the opera submitted
must not have been published Ut have
received a public performance
piano reduction OF the score should
be sent with the music. All contes-
tants expecting To enter this compe ii :
tion should send notification to Mrs.
Jason Walker. president of the Ma
tional Federation OF Music Clubs No.
lilo South Michigan avenue, Chicago.
In explanation Of the third condition
of the contest il is said that the condi
tion is characteristic OF the public
mind Of the times and means that Ii
brettos Of questionable moral tone such
most OF the well known operas pre-
sent, viii not be considered. The sug
Sestion has been made that American
history. though short. offers ample ma
terial for the purpose, the revolution
airy or civil wars. as well as other ma
tonal historical events. furnishing ar
admirable background for either ro-
nance or tragedy OF distinctly ely Ameri
can character.
The annual reorganiza ton Of the cit,
choirs is already under way. and among
the churches that have completed thei
arrangement for the coming season i
Epiphany Church. The quartet com
posed OF Mrs. Smith. soprano: Mis-
Ritchie Mclean, contralto: lie Roy Gil
der. tenor. and Henry W. Forker bass
have all been re-engag ed for anothe
year Miss Ella Nelson. who has bee
in charge Of the choir for more than
wear past, has relinquished her positio
because of her health and is now en-
loving "A period CT rest and recuperatio
at Asheville. y. G. Admiral Endicot
who in the absence OF the rector. Di
Mckim, mas been acting as chairman @
the music committee. announces the Ell
gasement of j. Willis Comant of Bosto
as organist and choirmaster to succee
Miss Nelson. Mr.. Comant has stIldie
under masters of the art both here an
in Europe and has been serving as OIL
ganist in churches of the east and middl
west for about twenty years. He l
secretary OF the Organists Associatio
OF New England and prominently ider
titled with musical alters in that sec
tion. Mr.. Comant has also been engage
as a member. OF the faculty Of the Ma
tional cDthedral School for GsF4a, an