Evening star., 1921-07-19
FRANCES SCHOOL
FOR AMERICANS
Great Good Seen in Con-
servatory of Music for
U. S. Students.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.
FONTAINEBLEAU. Fra

FONTAINEBLEAU. France,
June 80, 1921.
"Vive la France!" "Vive rAmerique!"
Two flags bearing the same tri-color
and standing for the same spirit of
crossed standards in the corridor of
the Louis XIV wing of the famous
Chateau of Fontainebleau. and from the
high-ceilinged chambers, with their
simple lines, their expansive gold
framed mirrors and their characteriS-
tic French windows opening upon the
charming English gardens. come the
strains of music that may well typify
the harmony between France and
America,
The French High School of Music Is
in full swing. Under the supervision of
the French government and the min
istry of fine arts. cooperating with
the Paris Conservatory Of Music, a
three-mOnth summer course has been
established for the first time. 1t is for
Americans only, and over 100 earnest.
well equipped and progressive people.
of all ages. are putting in twelve
hours of work every day that they
may imbibe all they can from the
master minds of the conservatory and
return home in the fall musically re-
freshed and stimulated.
International Importance.
The international importance of the
school was emphasized at the opening
ceremonies. when the participants in
cluded the minister of fine arts, NJ. Be
rard; Camille Saint-Saens and Ch. NJ.
Widor, composers; Francis Casadasus,
director Of the school; NJ. Fraguard, sub
prefect of Fontainebleau; the Garde Re-
publicaine Band, the chorus from the
Paris Ecole de Chant. singers from the
Paris Opera and the Opera COmique and
many other notableS of France; while
from the United States were Walter
Damrosch, conductor Of the New York
Symphony Orchestra, the man to whom
in the largest measure the school Is in
debted. as it was his conception: Mrs.
George Montgomery Tuttle. chairman Of
the executive committee: Robert Under
wood johnson, eX-ambaSSador to Italy;
May Peterson. soprano: the Harvard
Glee Club. under the direction of Archi-
bald T. Davidson. and a committee OF
the American students. So it was alto
gether French-American affair. There
were receptions and bouquets. concerts
and fireworks. and the whole town was
en- fete.
What the school will accomplish is
now in the hands of the students. for
the directors on both sides of the
water have planned sp!endidly. The
teaching is under the general direc-
ton of NJ. Widor, organist. composer
and teacher of international fame. He
is assisted by NJ. /. Phillip. the master
piano pedagog; NJ. Paul Vidal. COM
poser; Mile. Nadia Boulanger, whom
Mr.. Damrosch characterized as the
finest woman musician in France; NJ
Lucien Capet. violinist; NJ. Andre
Hekking. cellist. and many other
noted professors from the conserva-
tory.
How Students Live.
Rooms are provided for the women
in the chateau. and they must be in
side the gates by 10 o'clock. The men
have been assigned to quarters of the
first order about the town. and all
gather for meals in a corridor of the
gallery of Francis 1. No kings and
queens ever enjoyed themselves more
than do the members of our "Ameri-
can royalty" They have no gold and
silver plate, nor heaped up fruits. nor
boar's head roasts. but meals fit for a
king are theirs. and such are good
enough for any American.
Noted guests drop In from time to
time. Today Mr.. Damrosch himself.
MIR. and Mrs. David Names. NJ. Frag-
Hewitt of the conservatory were Wis
itors.
The school has started auspiciously.
and every provision is being made for
it's permanent establishment. There
is talk that it will be most fitting if
the United States will some day soon
reciprocate and offer to France such
opportunities for study and research
as may prove most beneficial: it will
be deeply appreciated and eagerly ac-
cepted
Among the students enrolled Is Miss
Aline Halsted of Washington.