The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-08
Churck Of the AdUent Has Secured Ferdinand Dunkley
 OF Seattle as It's Organist
Celebrated Musician Win Take Charge September 1. Will Also Direct Great Choir to Be Formed
BY CAROLYN B. ELLIOTT

Birmingham and the south are to be congratulated that Ferdinand Dunkley, the great artist-musician, will soon arrive from Seattle, Wash, to make his home in this city. where ne will assume his duties as organist of the Church of the Ad- vent
 In the auditorium of this church, at the morning service on August 20, MT. Dunk ley will be heard for the first time in Alabama.
 "I consider the coming of Mir Dunkley to Birmingham the biggest thing ever ac- complished in the musical circles of the south. except. perhaps, the coming of Ed ward Arthur Kraft, in 1914, to take charge of the great organ of the Atlanta audi torium." Such was the comment of 8 man who knows, and knows that he knows," of no other. indeed, than O. D. Allen, the builder of the wonderful Ad- vent organ.
 "T am gratihed that he is coming so soon, and that he is to begin active duties September l. in charge of the organ, which, having been installed at d final cost of S25.oo0, IS worthy the best musical talent the coutry affords" haid MT Allen. "Mr Dunkley is recognized in Eng land Canada and the United States as artist of exceptional merit I consider his permanence here will be the greatest acquisition the lnuSlC-lONlIS SOuAn Hd3 ever had"
 HIGH PRAISE
 In agreement with Mir Aliens comment Dr. M. s. Barnwell considers that MT. Dunkley's acceptance will be acquisi- tion, not only to the musical standards of the Church of the Advent, but will be a municipal factor in the development of musical atmosphere in Birmingham. It was Dr. Barnwells pleasure, with soms
 et. Advent to meet MT. Dunkley recently In Seattle. In recital given by the artist to the Advent party, he played many se- lections that Kraft had rendered in Bir- mingham, with equal skill according to the enthusiastic reports that the visitors have brought back home. And every applause they accorded the skill of the artist was followed by pleasing account of the man himself. whose delightful per sonality has won friends throughout the United States.
 Upon MT. Dunkleys arrival. regular musical reoitals will be rendered at the Church of the Advent. semi-monthly, and Dr. Barnwel also plans that the music, including the Attraction of big chorus choir. shall be made a special feature of all church services. The organist's studio will be at the parish house, wnere he will teach voice and composition, while organ lessons will be given at the Church of the Advent to pupils who are being booked every day to take advantage or this unusual opportunity for instruction. Among Mr Dunkley's vocal artist pupffs at present are some Of the best known musicians of the west
 To the numbers of Birmingham peo- pie who will soon meet Mir. Dunkley, it will he interesting to recall that he was born and reared in England, where he received his training under some or the best masters including Sir George Martin. organist of St PauPs Cathedral, T.ondon At the early age of 16 he passed the examination for fellowship of the Royal College of Organists, and was well comed as the youngest fellow of the col- lege. Soon afterward he won free schol- arship for composition at the Royal Col lege of Music in London. It was there that he had the advantage of organ in- struction under Sir George Martin and or composition under Sir Hubert Perry
 MT. Dunlsley came to America through solicitation of the late right Rev. Will liam Crowel Doane. bishop of Albany Bishop engaged the young musician as organist at All Saints, which Is consid- cred the finest cathedral in the United States with the exception of St. John the Divine. now in proces sof construction in New York He also had charge of the music of St Agnes School in Albany.
 REACHES SOOIH
 From New York Mir. Dunkley went to Asheville, N. C., short while hs-ore io- eating in New Orleans. where he was in charge of the organ at Trinity Church. and where he directed the symphony orr cNestra and musical festivals for six years Tn Seattle he has been the organ ist at First Church of Christ, Scientist and director of the stadium concerts ana Chehalis festcals for a number of years
 Mir DunSley was admitted to full tei~ iowship in the American Guild of Or ganists without examination because or the high attainment that had been his in the fellowship of England. To become a fellow of the Guild means that mu- sician has been able to stand the stupen- dous test of a thorough knowledge or harmony. thorough bass. counter poiit, composition, choir direction, orchestrai direction. the setting of orchestral score, and technical performance on organ transportation Fellows of the Guild or New York like Edwin Arthur Kratt. and Scott Buhrmann, are enthusiastic in thelr praise of MT. Dunkley as an organist. an orchestral director and composer OF note One of his compositions considered especially fine, The Wreck of the Hes pesus." has been given by festival chor- uses of England time after time
 As A critic, MT. Dunkley's opinions are valued in contributions to one of the
 
 leading musical journals of the Far cific slope Both in the east and west his recitals have been given on the large organs of the United states. He attracted attention at the Worlds Fair at St. Louiss and also played at the Pan-American Ex- position in Buffalo. Of his recitals gwen at the auditorium in Atlanta few years ago. the Constitution said:
 NO organ recital heard in Atlanta in long while has been more deserving q applause" while the Journal of the sae" city commented:
 ''Mr. Dunkley's recital was one Of the best ever given on that great ins,ru- ment."
 A hope is expressed among the music loving people of the city that the coming os Mr Dunkley will mean the develop ment of a symphony orchestra and or ganized annual musical festivals for Bir- mingham.
 Morning prayer and sermon. II o'clock
 St Andrew s-E,leventh avenue ana