The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-27
Edward P. Richardson, Baritone
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

grades, and the strictest rules of order were enforced. Especially did l notice the lack of freedom in play during the school day. There was a recess every morning. but did the boys run about sunshiny, grassy yard, scufflng and playing as they desired? An. mol In- stead of this, the sad spectacle pre- sented itself every morning of a long line of boys walking four abreast around dismal gravel court sur rounded by walls, where not even the sunshine could enter in all its splen- dor Little wonder, then, is it. that the hordes of the Hun were so easily led to those excesses which have made the whole worlds blood run cold? Be- fore long both my sister and I had pretty well mastered the spoken Ger man, and either one of us could have passed as natives easily.
 P The last half year of my stay in Leipzig I began the study of the piano under the supervision of a young stu. dent in the Leipzig conservatory; fine. talented young man, who may now be lying in some unmarked grave, fallen for a disgraced, defeated cause.
 "The summer of 1912 found my father once more in the U S A., now Dr. Richardson, and short time later the Richardsons moved once more this time to the great golden state of America, California. little over five of our six years in the west were spent in the beautiful college city of Berkeley, a town of some 65OOO in- habitants, situated on the bay of San Francisco. These were enjoyable and fruitful years for me. After finishing the eighth grade in one of the Berke- ley schools I went to the University high school in the adjoining city of Oakland, my father being vice prin- cipal there at the time My connec- tion with the Oakland school depart ment has proven a most fortunate one for me. for it is there that I have gained much of my musical knowledge and experience, the music department there being noted all over our country for it's thoroughness. It was during my high school days that I gained my (rather) thorough Knowledge of the band and orchestra and my instruc- tion in harmony It was my great honor during my last two years in high school to -be recognized as the hest student player of the bass viol in the city of Oakland.
 Tt was my teacher, MT. Redfield," he continued, "who when I was only 16, took me in hand and set me out my professional career. Soon after beginning my vocal studies I accepted the position of bass soloist in one of , per month. There I sang my first solo. ] even if my heart did pound so loud { I could hardly hear what I was sing { ing, and even if the precipitation did 'trickle down my forehead as though l was under a shower bath. A few months later found me getting $20 a month in St. Marks Episcopal church, the principal church of that denomina- tion in the city. This position, how ever, I soon abandoned, owing to nerv- ous trouble. From that time on I havs been continuously identified with somc phase or other of the musical and the- atrical profession. During the summer of 1918 it was my good fortune to be e nnected first with a high-class dra- matic company, then with stock comic opera company, and finally. with the University of California extension quartet, professional organization touring California under the direction of the state university, in the capacity of baritone and accompanist.- shall always pride myself on this engage ment, as was the youngest member of the organization by ten years.
 "As a freshman at the Birmingham Southern college and a member of tn. . Glee club and accompanist of the club. I am still pursuing my musical studies with much benefit and pleasure. await ing my professional career"