The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-11-07

Theophilus Fitz who gave lecture
recital at the Philharmonic club
| Wednesday.
lectures ever heard by Ardmore mu-
sicians al the regular meeting OF the
Philharmonic club Wednesday after
noon at the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr.. Ftz talked on The Science Of
! Vocal Measurements, and made a
number OF startling statements rela-
tive TO the rapid changes developing
in men and women voices, declaring
that "if the women continue TO assert
the masculine element of their ma
ture it won't be long until there will
be u scarcity of soprano singers. and
an over abundance OF contraltos." The
speaker also stated that romance is
rapidly disappearing and that jazzy'
music is only jungle signals
Among other many interesting facts
relative 10 the voices OF men and wo-
men Mr.. Fitz said, 'it is a notable
fact that the thousands .of men ana
women who have come and gone never
knew or even suspected they possessed
more volume that the individual whose
measurements We're normal or less
than average when as a matter of
fact, they really had cavities of suffi-
cient size and depth to reinforce the
voice until it might have been dis
tinctly heard in an auditorium of
more than 10000 seating capacity"
Mr.. Fftz stated that recent investi-
cations show that every third white
child has some musical talents and
that every fifth one possesses excep-
uonal vocal possibilities. Yet" he
continued, less than one half of one
per cent Of this vast amount of splen-
did talent has been developed or even
recognized"
Mr. FitZ began his investigations
several years ago in New York City.
In telling OF his work he said: In
guest student series C. lectures
givcn by Dr. Giddings a. Columbia
University, " ich resulted in my max
ing the FIRST series OF SUI 'cYs relative
To IT,, racial characteristics of The
re ;onating cavities of the heal |: was
Dr. Giddings who first gave ne the
idea Of measuring heads. but these
measurements We're not FOR the .'ur-
pose OF determining voice volume.
They were taken for the purpose OF
l. In oh nf =
centage OF the various types OF heads,
peculiar TO the different races. My
observations In this particular field
led to a more extensive survey, namely
TO measuring the resonating cavities
OF the head in their relation to the
sound Of the voice. For this purpose
was admitted TO the skulroom -;
the Museum of Natural History Of
New York City where the skulls OF
more than 1000 men and women of
primitive races were measured. Not
ably among these was the famous
Huxley collection which afforded me
an excellent opportunity 10 work out
in detail every phase Of the subject
and make deductions relative 10 vo-
cal measurements"
In measuring the volume OF the
voice four measurements are taken,
Mr.. Fiu explained. One from the up
per tip OF one ear across the fore
head 10 the other ear; the other three
with the hinges VI the jaw at the
termini, the tape passing over the
bridge Of the nose in one case over
the upper lip In another and around
the chin In the third. The object be-
ing TO determine 10 what extent the
Individual is capable OF reinforcing
the volume Of his voice
Many other phases which touched
on the practical study OF music. re-
ferring especially TO the relation of
the mother to the child who is study
ing music was brought out.
Mr.. Fits lecture was Illustrated
with stereopucon slides which added TO
the interest Of the subject matter.
Immediately upon the conclusion of his
address. members of the club urged
tha, he deliver the same address at
public gathering
Preceding the lecture Mr.. Fiz gave
number of most enjoyable vocal
selections with Mrs. Don Lacy at the
plano.