The Washington herald., 1913-07-20
MUSIC and MUSICIANS

Mrs. Helen Donohue De Yo will be
the soloist at the preliminary musical
service at the Church of the Covenant
this evening. Her selections will be:
Lead Kindly Light" by Hawiey. "A
Little Bit of Love" by Excel, MY
Redeemer and Ny Lord" by Dudley
Buck Mrs Klein wfll be the accompanist,
and Mr.. Klein the precentor.
The premonition that the American
Wagner who will win the prize compe-
tition for the Los Angeles opera, to be
given In 1915. will rise from obscurity.
is strong among many music lovers who
have been watching with interest the
progress Of the competition announced by
the National Federation of Musical
Clubs
with popular opera the rage. and
substantial prize money raised to stimu-
late opera composition. America seems
assuredly on the verge OF giving to the
world a great composer" said q promi-
nent New York critic yesterday. 'As
the greatest effort on record to provide
native grand opera, the present competi-
tion should awaken ths interest Of mu-
sicians everywhere.
america viii have her Wagner, and
believe he will make his curtain speech
In the near future. There is a prevail
ing opinion that he will rise from OBJ
scurity. This is entirely justifable when
We pause to consider that the full reali-
zation and development Of musical talent
is by no means apparent among our pres
ent day successes. There Is an enormous
wealth Of energy hidden beneath the
commerce of music, which needs just
such a stimulus as the present contest
to reveal new wonders Of American art
music"
Mrs. Jason Walker. chairman OF the
American music committee Of the Ma
tional Federation of Musical Clubs, Is
arousing great interest in the contest in
various Western cities. where numerous
well-known musical writer's and libret-
lists have already signihed their intention
OF striving for the $4,000 prize offered
for the American grand opera
A familiar heure among musicians in
Washington will be seen no more. Ar
thur w. Parker. the well known basso
and teacher. died at his apartment In the
Toronto Saturday. July Il.
The death of Mr.. Porter marks the end
ing Of career full Of untiring and pains
taking effort to impart his great know
ledge of the art OF bel canto to his stu
dents. When q young man. born in
Chelsea, Mass. he began his vocal career
with Myron B. whitney. later going to
Chicago where he studied with the best
teachers. He then went abroad. where
he studied under Guilmette in Paris. and
vanncinni in Milan. Returning to the
States he met with instant success in
Minneapolis. St. Paul. and Chicago.
where he was widely known for his
oratorio and concert work. Parker. in
his best day. appeared In concert with
some OF the best operatic stars. He was
for many years bass soloist Of the Roman
Catholic Cathedral in Chicago. In WASH
ington he was soloist Of st. Johns
Lafayette Square: Church Of the
Epiphany. St. Aloysius. and st. Patrick's.
Among his best-known pupils are John
Finnegan. tenor sol6ist. st. Patrick's
Cathedral, N. Y: J. F. N. Bowie, who.
while he was soloist at the Church Of
the Ascension and Church of the
Epiphany, studied with Mr.. Parker, and
Mrs. Nellie O'Hare Pollard. contralto
soloist OF st. Stephens Roman Cath
Ollie Church.
At his funeral q quartet of his pupils.
]. F. NJ Bowie, Frank e. Boyer. Edwin
Callow, and Walker T. Matson sang
Lead. Kindly Light" and From the
Depths"
Mrs. Parker will continue to teach at
Studio Hall.