The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-26
DR.. Frederic A. Dunster Vocalist and Organist the
Latest, Addition to Birmingham's Musical Circles
BY DOLLY DALRYMPLE

A GAIN Birmingham is fortunate
~ unsteady, drawing from the vast
n rank and file of artists another
well known and capable addition to the
already large number, in the person of
DR.. Frederic A. Dunster, who comes to
this city in the capacity of dean" of
the Southern School of Musical Art.
1t has been the policy of the Southern
School of Musical Art since it's incip-
iency to give to it's large clientele
nothing but the best instructors, and
following this plan. the announcement of
Dr. Dunster's association with the school
will be received with great interest.
With the retiring of Mr. Henry Key
Miner from the presidency of the South
ern School of Musical Art, it is fitting
that word be said, en- PEASANT about
this public spirited and generous citizen
of Eirmingham-one of her ablest and
best.
Mr.. Miner and his associates blazed
the way, so to speak in the music school
field here when he sponsored this insti-
tuition few years ago believing that
Birmingham needed a good school of
music and that the town was large
enough to support one, and patronize it
literally.
Just how correct his prophetic vision
and his belief in Birmingham unsteady,
has been, is told by the success of the
Southern School of Musical Art and Mr..
Miner by his support financially and
otherwise. has done great favor to
birmingham, by giving it an institution
to which it could point with pride and
with honorl
Upon the shoulders of Mr.. j. w. Don
nelly and number of prominent citizens
as associates, the mantle of Mr.. Miners
good deeds in this connection has fallen,
and that Mr.. Donnelly is an eminently
desirable successor is undisputed.
Mr.. Donnelly is a patron of the fine
arts his excellent taste in paintings and
Kerdmics being too well known to need
comment here and always he has lent
his Influence and his patronage to things
worth while rlusically.
AS acting trusteee" of the Southern
School of Musical Art Mr.. Donnelly is
enthusiastic over it's prospects and espe-
cially ever the fact that DR.. Dunster has
been secured as it's dean"
Within the past few days, DR.. Dunster
has made flying trip to Birmingham
previous to making his permanent resi-
dence here in September, and those who
had the pleasure of meeting him were
favorably impressed with his culture and
his learning.
DR.. Dunster is an Englishman and be-
gan his musical studies at early age,
becoming a member of the choir of st.
Mary Magdalene in Paddington, England,
at the age of years; later he was ad-
vanced to the position of solo choirister
at Chester Cathedral.
In speaking of his advantages in early
life, DR.. Dunster says among other
things:
From the beginning, when I was just
mere slip of child I studied music,
my first training coming from my fatheg
who was organist and musical director
to the Royal Bavarian church, London.
Later I studied with the famous hymn
composer, Richard Redhead, DIR. Joseph
Bridge was also one of my early instruc-
tors, and l enjoyed especial advantages
in voice training, with Sir George Mac
Farren principal of the Royal Academy
of Music, in London
DR.. Dunster upon coming to the United
States became organist and choir direc-
tor of the Cathedral in Chicago. and was
elected conductor of the Chicago Choir
association, numbering a thousand voices,
which organization presented Mendels'
sohn's elijah" at the Chicago auditor
ium under his direction.
Mr.. Walter Damrosch, the eminent New
Dunster gave instruction in singing, says
of him:
"He is an Englshman who has received
fine musical training and as a man he
makes a fine impression.
On the nomination of Mr.. Damrosch,
DR.. Dunster became organist and choir
director of Christ church. Mobile. Ala
and later of the Government Street tenn
pie of that city. About two years ago
he accepted an engagement to take
charge of the large Hope-Jones organ at
the Cort theatre. Chicago. Mr.. Ashton
Stevens, the Chicago critic. said of his
organ playing at the Chicago auditorium:
Here is DR.. Frederic A. Dunster, that
wizard of the cort theatre, giving an Or
gan recital as the crowds crowd in, and
they listen even as they tumble for their
seats for DR. Dunster is a magician at
the keyboard and is teaching the instru-
ment of platitudes new effects
DR.. Dunster expresses himself as being
most favorably impressed with Brming-
hams musical possibilities and says in
this connection:
1.-THE growth and progressive spirit evil