Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-09
STUDIO TALKS
ON SINGING
No. BACKBONE
BY JOHN w. PHILLIPS

Some years ago on a wintry
snowy day there arrived in New
York City, a tall, fine looking young
woman, not overly well dressed, nor
possessing a very abundant supply
of American dollars. Her folks, back
home in Minnesota, had discouraged
the idea of a musical education;
they, like many other parents,
thought music a waste of time-a
frivolous pastime-and therefore re-
fused to lend financial support. The
young woman, however, had back
bone plus confidence in her own apil-
ity. She made up her mind to go to
New York for studp and all the ad-
Vantages big city could offer. She
had no money for a course of study.
She had no influential friends. She
had no letters introduction. But
she had backbon She arrived in
New York in very discouraging
weather. The day itself was for
bidding and disheartening. She had
learned the name of a capable voice
teacher, who was also good soul.
she went straight to him and told
him that she wanted voice lessons,
and also that he must assume the
financial responsibility, of lodging
for her, because she had no money.
He reached for the smelling salts.
and when he recovered, she went on
to say that she would pay him back
as she earned the money. Young
lady, your idea is preposterous, he
said, land it is impossible for me to
do as you ask" She argued the
matter, but all to no avail until
finally in an inspired moment, she
said But you haven't heard me
sing, please hear me-" In order to
dispose of the last forced hope. she
had, he consented. By this time she
was on her mettle. She had nothing
now to depend on but her voice and
talent-and-a good supply OF back
bone. She sang something she had
learned in her own way, with little
help from her musical friends at
home. AS she sang, the voice teach
er got interested, then enthused, and
inspired Young woman, l will ac-
cept you on your own terms, ne
said. The young woman is now one
of the foremost Cir not the foremost)
Wagnerian soprano in the world.
She is now a member of the Met-
ropolian Opera Company-is song
recitalist of high rank, and has full
filed all the expectations of her
teacher and herself. Now. she had
many, many discouragements after
her studies began. and had many
trying ordeals to pass through. She
stood every test and became a genu-
inc success. Backbone, plus musical
sense, won the victory. A very
small percentage of the thousands
of voice students ever attain prom
iRence. And an even smaller per-
centage ever gain distinction. These
thousands of students, broadly
speaking, have splendid voices, but
are failures nevertheless. So we
find, voice does not make a singer
A bigger percentage of these stu
dents could win success If they had
more musical backbone. This is the
quality that carries forward, that
overcomes obstacles. discourage.
ments, criticisms and a few other
impediments strewn along sthe stu
dents path. Criticism is severe
test of the singers courage and
backbone.
Adverse criticism is effective and
deadly, and kills off more singing
careers than any other one thing.
The only element that can combat
it successfully, is musical backbone
staying power if you please the
quality that turns criticism to good
account, that takes advantages of 1t
by indulging in self analysis, and
bringing about a greater mental
power and more intelligent study.
Musical backbone does not recog-
nize criticism as an enemy, but as
friend that inspires the fighting
spirit, and provides stepping stones
that have to be fought for and won.
out of the struggle comes expert
ence, sympathy, poise, wisdom,
a ability vision and strength Criti-
cism, therefore, should make sing
ers. not unmake them.
Then the student has the matter