Evening star., 1922-02-05

The first issue of the official bulle-
tin of the National Federation Of Mu-
sic Clubs offers prize of one thou
sand dollars for lyric-dance-drama
new art form. Four hundred dol
lars will be awarded to the author
of the libretto and six hundred dol
lars to the composer Of the music, the
competition being open to any Ameri-
can citizen. The announcement con-
tains the suggestion that the work
contain Lyric, opera (chorus. aria,
recitative, concerted numbers); dance,
interpretative. ballet (pantomime.-in-
|terpretative dances); drama pageant
(folk dances. historic groups).
1t should be an art work Of high
type re-integrating the arts-not too
pretentious in difficulty or number Of
presentation in cities Of 10000 or even
25, 900, yet presenting American COM
position at its point of achievement.
Theme should be on development OF
music in America To the librettist the
announcement proposes an outline
muses. on Olympus, oneness OF the
arts-music central idea In education
and culture-gradual eclipse of art
life by material progress, inventions.
commerce. wars. etc. Sorrow ana de-
spair of Pan. the joy God. and the
Working out of story of music: in
America: Episodes, Indians. pilgrims,
cavaliers. colonial days, plantation
days. pioneer days (west), develop
ment of schools, festivals. artists,
composers, oratorios, operas, etc.
Z r,ptt
tion of the reintegration Of the arts.
return to earth of Pan and spirit OF
play. the muses. find here reincarna-
ton. America the most musical ma
ton of earth.
Libretto must be in hands of
ment of prize will be made June is.
1922. The completed work must be
in the hands of the judges December
Is, 1922. and prizes will be awarded
February 1, 1928. The score must be
written for small orchestra of sixteen
pieces, with possible substitution of
piano and organ in the absence OF
awarded work will be presented at
biennial in Asheville, N. c., May or
June, 1928. For further information
address Mrs. Edwin B. Garrigues,
chairman, American composition com :
! mittee, room 201, Bellevue-Stratford
in charge of the contest is Mrs.
Frances, E. Clark and Mrs Ella May
Smith.
Arnold Volpe, who will conduct the
performances of Samson and Deli
lah," which are to be given by the
Washington Opera Company at the
Lyric Theater. in Baltimore. on Mon
day, February 20, and at the National
Theater. in Washington. on Friday
afternoon. February "a. is in the city
today for the first rehearsal of theHor-
chestra.
Mr.. Volpe's excellent reading Of the
score Of Aida will be remembered by
all who heard that opera as given by
the Washington company last season.
His work is unfailingiy even and accu-
-ate and he achieves the desired effect
OF accompanying rather than drowning
the voices. which is an asset in the
rendition of an opera Noted as the
conductor Of the Young Mems Sym
phony of New York, the founder and
conductor of the Stadium concerts. the
conductor of the New York municipal
est artistic triumph of his career at the
Lexington Theater, last summer where
for six weeks he conducted the largest
orchestra which has ever been as
sembled for orchestral concerts. Plans
have been formulated by Director
Albion for Mr.. Volpe to make perma-
nent the organization Of the Washington
Opera Orchestra. and to conduct a series
of popular concerts at Keith's Theater.
Through the cooperation Of Mr.. Rob-
bins, manager Of Keith's, arrangements
are being perfected for the presentation
of these concerts. Something unique
and valuable in the musical life Of the
city may be expected as the result of
this venture.
The next monthly concert of the
National Community Chorus will be
given tomorrow evening at o'clock,
at Mount Vernon Methodist Church.
The following guest artists will con-
tribute: Miss Virginia Robinson, So
prano; Miss Nancy w. Stillwell, con-
tralto. Miss Winifred Peyton, harp
list; Mrs. Josephine Van Fossen. read
Dowd. pianist: Benjamin Brotman,
saxophonist. and the bureau of stan
dards male quartet. w. E. Braith-
waite, director. The public is invited
to attend, no cards of admission be-
ing required.
Nine. Ethel Hugli-Camp of Switzer-
land will give this evenings program
at the Arts Club. Howard p. Bailey.
baritone, and Katharine Floeckher
Cullen. pianist, will be the artists next
Sunday evening. Mrs. Purnell, sopra-
y -
will furnish the program February
10, and Edith Marmion Brosius, will
give harp recital February 26.
At the request of members Of the
Rebew Orchestra H. w. Weber. con-
ductor. announces that the usual pub
lie rehearsal held the first Monday
evening of each month, will be omit
ted for February out o. respect to a
number Of members in the orsaniza-
ton who lost close friends or rela-
tives in the recent Knickerbocker dis
aster.
Tho annual mfdwinter musical YES
pers at the Mount Pleasant Congrega-
tional Church will begin this after
noon at 5 O'Clock. Barnby's RE-
bekah," which was to have been given
last Sunday afternoon, was postponed
until this afternoon on account Of the
weather. The Mount Pleasant Chorus
will sing this well known cantata un-
der the direction of Norton M. Little,
with Claude Robeson at the. organ.
The solos will be sustained by Miss
Frances Scherger, soprano; William
P. Shanahan. tenor. and Herman FAX
Ter. bass.
The special soloists for the other
Sunday afternoons in the month will
be as follows:
February 12, Mrs. Edythe Marmfon
Brosius, harpist; William p. Shana-
han, tenor. February 10, Sydney Lloyd
Wrightson. baritone; Mrs. Jewell
Downs, pianist; Claude Robson, or
ganist. February 26, the National