Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-18
MISS ANNE McpoNouGH
On Community Singing In Politics


TT PHILADELPHIA Republican women
L put their best efforts behind the plan to
add music to the last months politicai cam
supported the community sings of the
War Camp Community Service during the
war, Philadelphia will again show the way
musically to other American cities, In the
opinion of Miss Anne McDonough, director
OF public sight singing classes IN tne CITY
H. Warburton with the local Republican
women's committee
Miss McDonough. who is looking further
ahead than November in the matter OF the
possibilities of community singing, also mas
strong hopes for civic music league TO
educate the mass of the people along muslcai
lines.
"pbiladelphia became famous three years
ago." declares Miss McDonough, because
Of its success with community singing. Our
fame went out for long distances, and
throughout the country we became known
as the Singing City Other cities fol-
lowed our example and came to us to learn
the very latest angle In the matter.
Thousands Are Singing
Thousands of people who had never
thought that they could sing Joined the Vari
GUS groups organized under the direction OF
the War Camp Community Service and
learned that they could. Harry Whitcraft
was one of the leading figures locally. be-
cause TO him went the honor OF originating;
or at least fostering, the 'block Singing
feature The idea started as purely an indi-
vidual affair undertaken in Mr.. Whitcra1t
own family and among few neighbors. AS
the bows went off to war Mr.. Whitcraft in
troduced the notion of groups getting to-
gcthor to sing in honor and memory OF the
fighting boys.
"Out of this block singing developed,
and It became universally popular for neigh
bors to get together one night week TO
sing the old melodies and the latest favor.
ties Men and women who had never tried
to sing ioined in chorus work, untried be-
fore. was practiced, and everybody prohted.
",Thcn the wur ended and the War Camp
Community Service ceased to exist and there
was no longer the incentive OF patriotism to
make people join together in song. Now
again has come an opportunity to revive the
interest in community singing The chance
arises In connection with the campaign OF
the Republican women OF Philadelphla:
Mrs. Barclay II. Warburton, chairman OF
the Republican wolnens committee, broached
muuity singing introduced into the short re-
naming time before election. ! was very
willing to accept, and one Monday actual
work will be commenced
"Our ideas are as follows: First, there
will be singing at Griffith Hall. 1421 Chest
nut street, where the Republican women's
cafeteria is located. The forum of debate
and discussion which will be held there
every lunchtime will be accompanied by
singing, with leaders placed at the various
tables.
''In the second place, starting this week,
choruses will be organized in different sec
tions of the city. Our thought is that there
politics in Philadelphia, who, nevertheless,
have no ability in making campaign
speeches or conducting debates These
women want to do something. Why not let
them help the cause along by singing?
Everybody can sing, perhaps not skillfully,
Women Asked to Join
such women are asked to come out to
ioin the chorus nearest their home. We
have this week, for example, choruses work
ing in the Free Library, Sixth street and
Lehigh avenue, Twentieth and Skunk streets
and Logan, besides a combined chorus in
Griffith Hall Let us say that 2000 women
we hope for more-come to these four
meetings. We will then divide them into
groups of thirty or fifty, according to local
ity or ward. and each group will conduct
the campaign among the women in that
locality or ward.
'In addition TO this there will be a song
leaders training class every day In Griffith
Hall, as we must have women trained In
leading large choruses at rallies and politi-
cal meetings. On just what occasions the
women's choruses will be called on will
depend entirely on the women ward ami
committee leaders.
There Is no such concerted movement
among men, but I do not see WHY thero
should not be male choruses' also to lend
life and spirit to political meetings. IL the
men DO organize such ehoruses the women