The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-17
Mr. Frederick Gunster Asks W by Estate Music Festival
Should Not E0olOe From the Birmingham, Music Festival
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

Perhaps no individual in Birmingham
has done more to bring music-the hes,
and the most artistic music-before the
! people, since his residence here of few
years, than Mr. Frederick Gunster, the
well-known and popular tenor
Mr.. Gunster in the first place has had adj
vantages which few people have enjoyed.
| in his musical education abroad and in
this country. his professional career ex-
tending over several successful years plac-
ing him in a position where he has heard
the best music and known the most emf
nent musicians, all of which has given
him the chance to study musical condi-
| lions and evolve from his own experiences
theories concerning Just what Birmng-
ham needs in this respect.
Mr.. Gunster speaks with enthusiasm
concerning the approaching music festi-
highest regard for Mr.. Walter Damrosch
and the New York Symphony orchestra,
but like many others of the cultured and
ambitious musicians of the city, Mr.. Cum
ster feels that from it a much larger
event could be supported each year in
Alabama than just a few programmes Of
music
In speaking with Mr. Gunster a few
days ago about music festivals and what
they mean to community socially, mus
ically and financially he said among other
things:
why not make our music festival a
state festival? Birmingham has finally
made the right start toward what may
eventually be realized an annual state
musical festival, three days of music,
musical talent, but participated in by
singers from every part of Alabama, and
consequently attended by people from
the Tennessee line to the gulf"
The best example of state music fes-
tival of which l know" he continued.
iron. personal experience, Is the Maine
musical festival, at which | sang, ON
the same programme with Miss Geraldine
Farrar, in October, 1909. We will say the
state of Maine is divided into two parts.
one section supplying the chorus for the
Bangor festival. the other being repre-
scented by its own chorus at the Portland
festival. There is a director in chief, I'M
der whose supervision there are compe-
tent conductors to each of whom is as
signed a specified territory In which he
conducts rehearsals of the choral works
to be presented al the great festival. One
community may have but a small quota of
singers, another may boast good sized
chorus. but they all rehearse the same
works regularly, at least six months be-
fore festival week., with the result that
the singers are familiar with the works to
be sung by the time the director in chief
calls the mass rehearsals Immediately pre-
p .,ar l..
tire year the chief musical topic is the
fortf con ing festival; the participants ac-
comranied by hundreds of friends go to
Bangor, or to Portland, the case may
be, to unite with the choruses furnished
10y the two festival cities, eager for the
long awaited feast of song. This is their
own particular affair. Is it a wonder that
the attendance is great?'
1.-THE week begins in Bangor: then the
same programme is repeated at Portland"
said Mr. Gunster. in each city there are
given five performances three evening
concerts two matinees. Complete ora
torios. operate excerpts, and other
choral works are sung by the chorus of
500 or 500 voices the stars. vocalists or
ii,strumentalists appear several times on
the programme, accompanied by the huge
orchestra of from GO to so pieces. One of
the matinees Is orchestral under the di-
reotor-in-chief, with two stars appearing
in groups of songs. At this performance
the members of the chorus occupy seats
in the audience; this is their time of rest,
and they seem to enjoy the opportunity
of listening. The audiences are immense,
numbering into the thousands, and they
greet the artists warmly whenever they
appear"
indications are that the approaching
one-day festival in Birmingham will Re a
success beth artistically and financially"
said Mr.. Gunster. Last years certainly
was | hope we will receive sufficient EN-
couragement to add day to next years
festival. and be able to establish, the year
following, an annual music festival last
ing three days, with five performances.
Then, make it a state affair If Maine
has been successful in its ENTERPRISE. am