The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-09
Prof. Alfonso D DAgostino Talks Interestingly
 About Pupils Recitas' and "Chan1ber Music"
Rx DOLLY DALRYMP.E

In local musical circles, no more enthu-
 siastic and capable musician has ever lent
 lis services and influence to the uplift and
 upbuilding of everything that goes to-
 ward culture and refinement than Prof.
 Alfonso D'Agostino.
 Since his residence in Birmingham, only few short years ago. Prof. DAgostino
 has built up a splendid clientele-one
 which is an honor to himself and trib- ute to his splendid musicanship
 As teacher Professor DAgostino is very successful; as an artist he has many admirers; and as a composer he ranks very high. his Violin Studies" and other things having merited the approval of such world known musicians as Ysaye, Kresler. Kubelik, Maude Powell and other notables.
 Professor D'Agostino spent his early life studying the violin at the Royal conserva- tory at Naples. and it was there that he acquired his education and perfected him self a vrtuoso.
 Later coming to this country, Pro lessor D'Agostino associated himself with several of the prominent colleges and schools in the east, as ewell as maintain ing private classes. Later he decided to come south and chose Birmingham as his home. because of the big possibilities in musical way here, and the opportunity afforded by the youthfulness of the town and its tremendous chances for musical uplift
 On next Sunday afternoon from his large class of 50 or more, Professor D'Agostino will present in recital some of hls most talented pupils, in pro- gramme of rare excellence and his many friends and admirers will be given the opportunity to note for themselves just what he has accomplished
 In speaking with Professor DAgostino appearance and platform opportunities, he said, among other things:
 T believe in Birmingham that we have too few pupils recitals. In other places that l have lived in, it wu. no uncommon thing to have two pupils recitals a week during the season, both in colleges and in private work, thus giving the pupil the chance to acquire that repose and savoir faire which Is so necessary to the true artist. or course, the average pupil s greatest fault is stage fright: the dis taste for appearing before an audience is very general, and If a teacher does not begin early by putting the pupil forward later he will discover the mistake he has made because the longer public appear ances are put off, the harder it becomes for the pupil to get accustomed to it."
 Tn Naples at the Royal conservatory Professor D Agostino continued 'it was the general rule for at least Is or 20 pu- pills recitals to be given within the l6 or 20 weeks of the winter term The teach CTS, of course, appeared at intervals in recital, but the main thing was the pupils recital. Abroad this is very much en- couraged and it should be here A pupil when he begins to make any sort of prog ress whatever, even if he is only begin ner, should have the opportunity of being heard in public and l consider that it is one of the greatest drawbacks that Bir- mingham has to meet. not having more pupils reeitals.'
 Then. too said Professor D'Agosti- mo- l have made an innovation by choosing a programme of chamber music for my pupils recital next Sunday after noon. Many pupils can play solos, but it is often difficult to do ensemble work After many delightful experiences with young musicians in schools and colleges have come to the conclusion that the ideal music for the young is chamber