The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-13
Gordon Erickson, "Sing Director"
By DOLLY DALR NIPPLE

profitable in my work. It was a mag
 nificent opportunity as Chicago is very
 musical and very encouraging to all
 musical efforts. Take the Chicago
 opera, for instance: there is only one
 Mary Garden, one Titi Ruffo, one Galli- Curci, so of course the very best opera is presented with these rare artists h. deed, few cities enjoy the thoroughly musical atmosphere that Chicago en- joys and the hundreds of students and ambitious musicians who are making
 their homes there are adding every day to the brilliance and the dignity of
 music and it's great influence"
 And, what are my plans for Bir- mingham?" MT. Erickson said, and paused reflectively before he answered. q cannot as yet say that what I want to do will be done, but what l would 1 like to see done in Birmingham--wha I should like to be instrumental in making possible. is first of all, a thor 1 oughly established active successful mixed chorus; an oratorio society. This is the primary thing in community sing work I should also like for Bir- | mingham to have a municipal band and later on a symphony orchestra; a male chorus, magnificent singing so . 1 ciety of male voices, which could rem der the stirring, thrilling. splendid com i positions as no other group of vioces | can render them, Of course, com munity opera is the ultmatum; but these preliminary measures will lead up 1 to this eventually.
 And when this can be done?" Mir
 Erickson said, and answered promptly, ! .Within a year if we go about it in the right way and receive the cooperation 1 that I expect and which is absolutely necessary. If the good people of Bir- mingham like music well enough and 1 believe in it as an educational factor ot great value and believe that a city 1 should have the best musical influence l otherwise it is not the highest type of
 city to live in, then we will be able tc accomplish these things in a very short time"
 | q am great believer in The Little 1 Theatre plan also" MT. Erickson said T have had the pleasure of talking i with Mrs J. R. Hornady president ot the Birmingham center of the Drama i League of America, since I have beer ! here. and she is most enthusiastic
 about The Little Theatre plan. too. Of l course the Drama League can do more 1 toward the continuation Of this idea i than any other organization, and it is a
 beautiful cultural function, which is a splendid influence in a community"
 The services of a dramatic director can be easily secured" said MT Brick
 son, "and while the plays produced al 1 first may be crude, it is a beginning 1 and this in the end will isad to com munity opera which is my cherished ! hope and plan.
 Music in the schools is another o1 my pet hobbies" said MT, Erickson 1 and the part of the community sing i' | to follow up the child's voice after his school days Only too often voice i! lost, after school days are over ant
 the community chorus is just the thinf
 to take hold of it at this period"
 ''The function of Community Service Inc" said MT. Erickson, and want tC
 emphasize this particularly, is co-opera
 tive; not competitions Community SerV'
 ice, Inc, does not compete with any
 other organization, but stands ready tC
 assist any movement for the upbuild l ing of the community. either in music the drama, pageantry, or any thing cul tural and elevating.
 .I had the honor of being appointed director of the Greek theatre in Berke lev. Cal.," said MT. Erickson. and an
 ticipated my work there with grea ! pleasure. but before l had the chance t' conduct opera l was recalled to Nev
 York. which deprived me of long cher ished ambition. The Greek theatre II
 Berkeley is the last word in exquisite i cultural advancement of the communlt. l idea and is an inspiration to all of u I who strive to attain ideals During tn short time I was in Berkeley l sang tn | .Stahat Mater at the Greek theatre, a A memorable and wonderful presenta ton of Rossinis masterpiece.