The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-11
M E N l., w 0 M E N
 A N D T H IN G s

|
 It seems pity that one so little llversed in the technique of music should have had such splendid opportunities to hear the great operas, and
 noted orchestras. l am glad, however : that in spite of my deficiency that l
 did during my student days abroad hear the great singers as we'll as the great leaders.
 | Take, for instance, my present plight
 Here in Birmingham on Saturday aft ernoon and again that night the Min
 neapolis Symphony, Americas greatest
 orchestra, will be heard in two splen-
 did programmes. I'll go and in way II will enjoy if, but just think of the
 many beauties which will leave me
 untouched, just because lack proper | musical education.
 I am saying this, for too frequent ly we Americans let our .children be- fore they have the slightest idea of
 VI hat career they will select. do their
 own choosing as to the studies they will take. I know that most of those who go through the public schools and 1 then on to degree at some affiliated college or university travel practical : ly the same route so far as the funda-
 mentals, are concerned.
 The thing am trying to emphasize just here relates more closely to what may be classed as the extras or more elective units. Take music, for in- stance. I recall that when I went to the public schools in St. Louis that I found myself to singing. I didn't
 then believe that the day would ever
 come when an ability to carry tune
 would be of benefit to me, and yet
 when I entered the ministry I found
 myself handicapped frequently, and
 more particularly so at prayer meet
 ing, on account of my inability to
 hist hymn"
 | know there is complaint in some
 quarters against what may be classed
 the "ornamentals" in the public schools, but the older I get the gladder am that more attention is being given both to vocal and instrumental
 music, and that when not in the pre- scribed curriculum, they are at least fostered by the teachers and in some cases supported by outside interested patrons. I am glad that the prejudice against boys becoming musicians is fast passing away.
 More and more our colleges and uni versailles are considering music as a cultural force and, therefore, are giv- ing to it wider range in their ac- tivities. Harvard, Yale, Columbia and others of the big universities are of- fering various courses in music. The state universities are getting in line, and already many of the denomina- tional colleges are featuring musical courses in education, as is being done here within our own doors at Howard college.
 Our quarrel with the Germans was deep, and still is, but in spite of the running amuck in civilization of the Wilhelmstrasse gang. we should be n- finitely poorer without Beethoven, Wagner and others who have blessed the world with their productions Every nation needs the best that other nations can give it. and we would be foolish as a people if we closed our ears to the wealth of Teutonic music because of the acts of the Kaiser.
 Much German culture has been prop erly discredited. but anyone who ever lived in Germany will remember how the people as whole were soaked in music. just as much so as at present we Americans are on jazz spree. have frequently seen men and women and students in the gallery at the opera in Berlin following the opera score with book in hand and appre- cfSting the fine points as only con noisseurs were able to do.
 It ought then to be matter of con- graduation that here in this new town of ours that there is an increasing love for good music, and that while | there may seem to be no diminution for rag-time, yet by degrees the cir ,le of men and women who can appre- ciate tho grand operas, the classical 1 concerts and the trained orchestras is | widening. Best of all, however, is the 1 fact that while the public supports iberally visiting musical organiza- ions like the Minneapolis Symphony orchestra, we have organized one of ,ur own which one day is going to be he pride of the Magic City.
 The growing feeling that Birming- 1 nam must have the best there is in the i! way of musical attractions is evi- | fenced in the manner in which the ot- | 'erings of the Music Study club and 1 he performances of the All-Star Con James Johnston and Shipman, is being | imported. The former has been func- ioning for many years. while the la.- er is not a year old, but is growing | vEh wonderful stride, as everyone znows.
 It is small wonder then that music overs of this city, as we'll as the dis rict and surrounding towns, have | ooked forward with the highest an iclpation of pleasure and interest to 1 he visit both of Luisa Tetrazzini, | The Queen of Song. and her concert !! ompany, who sing here tonight at the | efferson theatre, and to the Minnea- | 'olis Symphony, the renowned orches- ra which has shown to the world that America covets the best, and gets it 'ecause willing to pay the price, whicn ppears Saturday afternoon and night.
 It's a good thing to locate new industry in Birmingham. lt's>a good | hing when our citizenship is aug nented by capitalist, a merchant a lawyer. doctor. They have been coming and T. vSr fn~ 6,,k ~H l~t