The New York herald., 1921-11-13
American School
of Music in France
Success First Year
Miss Ethel Best Of New York
Among Those Receiving
Awards for Singing.

One OF the interesting developments in
the music world the last year was the
establishment OF the American Conser-
vatory at the Palace of Fontainbleau
The first report of the school was made
yesterday to the American executive
committee at the home OF Mrs. George
Montgomery Tuttle. 103 East Seventy
fifth street. She is president of the
American committee which is working
with the French Government TO estab-
dents.
Eighty-five Americans, constituting
the largest body of students ever sent to
France at one time TO study art, at
tember %. The work was carried out
under the direction OF the French Min
istry OF Beaux-Arts and tho munich
pality Of Fontainblcau. The historic old
by the French Government for their use
throughout the summer. Mrs. Tuttle
gave personal supervision to the school.
taking general charge OF the American
students matricula:ed there.
The work of the schoo. was carried
on under the personal direction OF such
prominent French officials. as Paul
Leon, director OF Peaux-Arts; Francis
Casadesus. director Of the Fontainbleau
school; Maurice Fragnand, Charles
Marie Widor. organist and perpetual
secretary of the Academic Franchise.
TIE first season OF the Fontainbleau
school was most successful. A selected
group Of representative American musi-
clans went to France, and every courtesy
was shown them by the French Govern
ment. The Governors of more than
tbirty-six States added their personal
recommendation to that of the leading
musicians of the students local conn
munities. New York was represented
by twenty-one students. The French
Government has announced that ar
rangements will be made for the accom-
mediation of 100 students in 1922, and
the committee is planning for the ex-
animation OF all applicants by this spe-
cial music board.
Awards and highest honors. including
medals, diplomas and prizes, were con-
ferred upon special honor students by
the French Government after the sum
mer course. In singing the following
awards were made:
First prizes: Miss Ethel Best, New
York; Arthur kreeckman. Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Clara Oakes Usher FVainville.
Conn.,. Miss Ruth Kellogg Waite. Chi
cago; Mrs. Kathleen MacA'lister. Bos-
ton: Miss Dorothy Paca. Baltimore Nd,
and Miss Enid Watkins, New York.
Second prizes: Miss Adair McRae,
Minneapolis and Miss Loretta Princely
Higgins. Norwich, Conn.
Honorable mention was given to
George Lindbloor, Cambridge, Mass.
Miss Constance Barker. Newport N. H..
and Miss Eve Dagley. Lexington. Ky.
Fourteen awards were made in the
piano department and six In the violin
department Altogether -thirty-two stu
dents received special diplomas from the
director of the Beaux-Arts for the wcrk
accomplished In this first summer school
'rhis is the first time In the worlds
history that nation has established a
school exclusively for tho students of
another friendly nation" Mrs. Tuttle
said yesterday. France seeks our
friendship through art Every possible
advantage which could give the students
a chance at work under the finest French
masters was offered them by the French
Government"