Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-19

the executive department OF the phlladei-
phia Orchestra, and Mr.. Aldrich were in
trusted with the opening OF the envelopes
later on.
IN THROES OF lMPArIENCE
The young ladies' went home and put ice
bags on their throhbinE heads and stirred
the fires Of their aspirations The sus-
suspense was frightful
And then nothing happened. Just nothing
At all No medal was given. The medal
was not even made. Miss Melsle received
word that she had been awarded an honor
able mention Mr.. Stokowsld wrote three
wonderfully cheerful letters to three Of the
maids, compiment1ng them on their voices.
But there was much waiting and gnash-
ing Of teeth. withal
I'VE paid out so much money for extra
lessons to go into this contest"
We have practiced dav and night"
We are utterly Inundated %
we knew we had good voices We didn't
have to be told that We tried for a prize
and It was WITHDRAWN"
The walls spread The mothers took up
the burden.
~ singer is without honor In her own
city" said one disgruntled mater; they
ought to have brought in judges from an
other City--judges who knew none Of the
contestants-who had never heard any of
the voices before. one Of tho judges said
Of my daughter: She has perfect voice
simply Hawlcss-hut | don't like her
method '"
guished indignation In the mothers tone I:
1t wasn't his method You couldn't EXPECT
a music teacher to vote against his own
method. II wouldn't have been human |
| don't say my daughter ought to have been
awarded the medal and the privilege Of sing.
| ing with the orchestra, but do say one Of
| those five girls should have been given IT,"
But we particularly specified In a letter
! sent the contestants" said Mr. Aldrich
| herCely that the committee reserved the
| right To withhold a decision Everything
was explained. II was the faireSt contest
ever held True, the standard set was very.
| very high. True, there were some superb
| voices, but II was felt that they lacked the
| necessary finish and maturity. Perhaps in
| the next contest we will extend the age
! limit"
DAMN" CRIES STOKOwSKI.
! Damn {" said Mr. StokowsN. when he
| heard Of the tempest he had stirred up by
his benehcent offer
Damn" He said It adasio, hut none the
| less Enthusiastically.
The men on the committee are the best
| musicians in the city" he continued and
the contest was very wearying Nothing
| could have been carried OF in a fairer man
ner. II this is al I am to get for my
| trouhle-wranglng and dssatsfaction--tl
! withdraw the whole thing, | haven't got
much leisure, but hereafter IN spend what
| have out in the country doing nothing in
stead Of worrying over contests"
Mr. Stokowski, according TO members Of
the committee. bore the entire expense Of
the contest, paying for the auditorium and
the details necessary to the organization Of
the try-out, He has given, in addition
his valuable enthusiasm and valuable time
Accordingly, he is absolved Of the damn.
Next year unless Pniadephias s younE
orchestra leader is too "pceved," an en-.
deavor will he made to find local Pader.
ewsk or De Pachmann. The year following
budding Krelslers and Maud Powels vii
he given a hearing. on the third year an
other trial for the Melbas and the Schu
mann Heinks will be made
But not us" say the quintet, bristling
never again"