Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1915-10-29
STATE FEDERATION
OF WOMEN'S CLUBS
vpitv "Sings' Abe Advocated
Means of Accusing Civic In
terest and Cooperation

.,o,od in the past, so large a part
=, enc social life of rural communi-
ties.
The helpful, uplifting influence of
music upon the individual is well
recognized; what helps the individu-
al helps the community. Concerted
music will create common interest
mutual helpfulness, civic conscious
ness and pride.
when music finds way into
community, discomfort and much
that is not beautiful will fly away"
All work of clubs and citizens, en-
couraging bands, orchestras, and
community sings" is in good
cause, and the result in increased
civic righteousness more than repays
the cost of the effort.
Mrs. o. K. Williamson recently
gave a paper at Mount Vernon be-
fore the women's clubs of the north
western district federation, which
tells what the Prosser club women
have accomplished in community
sings.
when the governing board of the
Prosser Women's club voted to have
series of Community Sings last
year, the president of the club was
made chairman, and she was to be
assisted by the other members of the
board. We then worked out plan
hold these sings at 1880 p. m.
90 the first Sunday of each month
during the club year.
Through the kindness of the
school board the use of the high
school auditorium was secured and
the enthusiastic support of the
janitor was no small aid in arrang-
ing, heating and lighting the build
ing. Club women acted as ushers
THE sings were advertised
through the local papers, by an
nouncements at the churches, and by
window cards prepared by club
women.
The directress Of the Ladies' Mu-
steal club kindly gave her services to
lead the old familiar songs and we
secured a number of copies of small
paper-bound song books, which are
put out by music houses.
Local people gave their services
to add special features to the pro-
grams and 15-minute talk or read
ing on some interesting subject was
usually a feature. One of the pro-
grams was Doxology, audience; in
vocation; Rock of Ages" audience;
violin solo; vocal duet; Star Span
gled Banner" audience; talk,
Judge Lindsey and the Juvenile
Court; vocal solo; piano solo;
America" audience
The last program of the year
came on Easter Sunday, so we made
1t entirely musical, asking each
choir, musical organization or spe-
clal musician in town to contribute
a number; we also made arrange
ments with the band to postpone
their concert until after the Com
munity Sing and this outdoor con-
cert followed Immediately.
We pursued the plan of asking
no one person to contribute to the
program a second time during the
year, thus avoiding making it bur
den upon anyone who was willing to
help, and we found the response
most generous.
The Sings were entirely free, and
were especially well attended and
enjoyed by the people from the sur
rounding country.
This year we are continuing
them, but the club chairman for the
month will arrange the program for
ner assigned month, thus bringing in
variety of ideas.
From our experience we feel that
more of the fam liar songs should be
used for unison singing, and we long
ior the day when we shall be able
70 make them almost entirely Com
mCnity Sings
We certainly feel these are dong
more than any other club activity 10
promote harmony and good fellow
snip in the community, for
This is the luxury of music 1t
touches every key of memory ana
stirs all the hidden springs OF sor-
row and joy. / love it for what 1t
makes me forget and for what II
makes me rem ember
The above letter shows how one
club carried out the idea. others
could work it out to suit the needs
and pleasure of their own COM
munities.
JEANETTE BELLE SHEDD.