The New York herald., 1921-04-17
FRENCH SCHOOL FOR
AMERICAN MUSICIANS

Definite steps have been taken tc
make permanent one of the sidelighte OF
the war activities of Gen. Pershing wheI
he commanded the American Expedi
tionary Forces in France. IT is thu
Fontainebleau School of Music for Amer
leans in the historic palace of Fontainc
bleau, which is reached by short motor
trip out Of Paris.
The American Administration Com
nittee OF the project OF which Mrs
George Montgomery Tuttle is president
met last Monday afternoon In her home
l03 East Seventy-ffth street. to receive
the report of the French committee oi
which Mr.. Francis Casadesus, who dt
rected the A. Il. +. music school at Chau-
mont in 1918, Is the head The other
members OF the American committed
are Mr.. Walter Damrosch. vice-presi.
dent: Mr.. William Sparling, treasurer
Miss Esther Singleton. secretary; Mr.
George Barrere, Mrs. William 7. Car
rington, Mrs. Walter Damrosch. Mr.
Blair Fairchild. Mr. and Mrs. Harry
Hardness Flagler. Mrs. John Henry
Hammond, Mr.. Ernest Peixotto, Mr.
Francis Rogers. Mrs j. West Roosevelt,
Mr.. Herbert Satterlee, and Mr.. Ernest
Schelling.
Mr.. Satterlee was at the moment
cruising on board the steam yacht Cor
sair, but he sent to the meeting a wire
ess message explaining that intervening
waters OF the Atlantic alone prevented
his attendance and pledging his assist
snce to the International music school
croject. a financial budget was pre-
sented and approved The committed
also approved the location Of the Office
IN the Branch Public Library, 121 East
Fifty eighth street.
Organized by Mr.. Dam mrosch.
Early in the months of 1918 Gen.
Pershing was impressed by the fact that
the bands that went overseas with the
American Expeditionary Forces had
been organized so hurriedly that the
musical organizations, so essential To
the proper morale OF the troops, were
lacking in certain technic. The General
looked about for the best men to right
the wrong. and selected Mr. Walter
Damrosch of the New York Symphony
Orchestra, who organized an orchestra
lin France for the entertainment Of the
soldiers when they returned from the
trenches. and for the announcement OF
those about TO take their places. The
benefits which resulted were beyond
computation, and Gen. Pershing was not
long in deciding that Mr.. Damrosch
was the man TO undertake the training
OF his bandmastcrs.
In typical American fashion the
school was organized Immediately and
Established at Chaumont-sur-M Marne, and
soon American bands were taking their
plases proudly and successfully along
side those which had been receiving
special training for years. Mr.. Dam
lrosch requested Mr.. Casadesus. the
French composer, to assist him in the
organization of the Chaunlont schoo
and made him the director OF It.
Mr.. Casadesus became interested N
the American musicians committed TO hi;
care, especially the younger men whit
possessed talent. These young men, ~
turn, expressed disappointment at thu
knowledge that they could not complete
the course OF studies laid out by thei'
directors, and told Mr.. Casadesus how
wonderful II would be IL they could pur
sue the course OF the Paris Conserva
toire.
Aftor the cessation of hosiiIities IN
received so many letters OF appeal tina
he determined TO try TO solve the sit
uation by founding course similar e
that Of the Conservatoirc, directed b,
the same professors. but condensed into
much shorter space Of time and fol
the benefit of Americans only.
He called to his assistance Mr.. Berard
Ministry des Beaux Arts, Camille Saint
Saens, Charles Widor, the permanen
secretary OF the Academy OF Fine Arts
and the american Friends OF Musician
in France" OF which Mr.. Damrosch II
president and Mrs, George Montgomcr,
Tuttle. executive chairman. scheme
was evolved 10 make possible the dream
Of MIR. Casadesus and to crafty the dc
sire OF those American musical studentl
who having talent and character arr
unable to afford the time and cxpons'
requisite for the regular course OF III,
Conservatoirc.
Selected Palace OF TontninebIcnu "
Mrs Tuttle pointed out to Mr.. Casa
desus that ne the most worthy Of Amer
ican students would be sent TO France !
worthy residence must be placed n
their disposal. Mr.. Casadesus place,
the matter before the French Minister
OF Fine Arts, and together they NJ
proachcd Maurice F'ragnaud Governor
OF rontainebleau. who was SO cnthusi
astic over the project that he agree,
promptly that the Palace Of f'onfainc
blcau was the only logical residence foi
the students, and Immediately induced
the Mayor ana Council Of the city o.