The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-07

The amount of public spirit, enthusiasm, effort and real nerve back of the Music Study the Treble Clef clubs and every member connected with these two splen- did musical organizations in bringing the New York Philharmonic orchestra to Bir- mingham will perhaps never be fully realized by the average Birmingham citi- zen. It is a great orchestra, one of the greatest in the country. Joseph Stransky, the director, is not only famous direc- tor Of a symphonic orchestra but he is equally well known abroad and in this country as a conductor of opera.
 The two Birmingham music clubs did not ask the business men to sign a guarantee. They have taken all the financial responsibility upon their own shoulders as well as the splendid choral part of the festival programme, Too much cannot be said in praise of the heads of these two well known musical clubs for the work of educational and musical uplift they are giving to this section of the state in fostering such an event as these annual music festivals have become.
 Mrs. George Houston Davis as president of the Music Study club and Mrs Ed ward T. Rice, president of the Treble Clef club, have both been tireless in their efforts to put this city upon high pedestal of musical appreciation and cul- ture They have been ably assisted too, by their individual members, by the chairmen of committees and their most able director splendid musician and pub lie spirited citizen, MT. William Gussen. Mrs. H. M. Perry, who has for the time being left her beautiful home in Edge wood and established an office in the Cable building. where she is in charge of the finances of the festival is bending every energy to make of this festival the greatest Birmingham has had.
 Then there is Miss Emma Mccarthy. chairman of the ticket committee from the Treble Clef club of whom it is said that she could locate the seats in the dark in both the big playhouses, so long and so often has she given her services to the musical affairs and the festivals for the past several years. She was one of the powers behind the throne' of the mid-winter visit and successful engage ment of the Minneapolis orchestra, and when matters of a business or musical nature in any of these events are taken over by this lovely young girl, there is feeling of absolute certainty on the part of the management that it will be promptly done and well done.
 Another conscientious and capable worker and chairman of one of the com mittees, is the well known vocalist teach CT and charming woman, Miss Sadirah Malam. Mrs. W. M. Mayes has for many years been one of the enthusiasts behind everything that is for musical advance ment She is a former president of the Treble Clef club, the oldest musical or ganization here She is a member of the choruses of the Music Study club and it's vice president She is a beautiful woman and one of the most valuable chairmen of committees for this spring festival. With all these forces behind musical advancement, and the fact that the Birmingham men and women are alive to and assisting in such advance ment. that Birmingham has shown with in the last year her appreciation of the best in music, as individuals and as ! city she IS gong ahead or almost any city in the south in cultural matters, all assure a great success for. the festival of May Il. %
 A few points about this great orchestra for the festival will be of interest:
 With the gathering of a little body of 37 professional musicians, who met in the Apollo rooms in Manhattan in 1S42 to form a society for the amusement of music and the giving of concerts, began the history of perhaps the most impor tant and powerful organization for mus