Evening star., 1922-01-15

seldom used by those who are so for
tunate as to possess it merely to
carry pleasure and surprise into the
lives OF friends. as was the case re-
Gently with Charles Sanford Skilton.
When Alfred Ponchon, second vio-
unist Of the F1onxaley Quartet. open
ed his Christmas gifts he found
among them a small manuscript writ
ten for the violin. 1t was exquisitely
done in ink by hand, and at the top
was the dedication: ITO Alfred Pom
chon from Charles Sanford Skilton."
Even before opening the rest Of his
gifts Mr.. Ponchon took up his violin
and played the music. but he could
make no sense out OF it. There was
charming theme, then many bars OF
rests. then the theme again in singu-
larly detached phrases. and so 1t went
on to the end. He thought this ex-
Skilton to be a composer of establish
ed reputation and leading member
of the faculty OF the School Of Fine
Arts at the University of Kansas. He
tried, over and over, to play the music
SO that 1t sounded like a real compo-
sition. Then he gave it up. Later in
the day the quartet had a rehearsal.
Mr.. Ponchon put the manuscript in
his pocket. He would ask his con-
freres what they could make out of
IT: No sooner had he arrived at the
rehearsal sarsai,, than he drew forth the
At that very moment Mr.. Betti drew
forth similar one from his pocket.
Mr.. d'Arckambeau and Mr.. Bailly fol-
lowed suit. Almost simultaneously
manuscript dedicated to me from
Charles Skilton. but ] can't make any
thing out of it," Mr.. Betti laid the
four copies on a table and looked af
them intently. Then he laughed. Joy..
fully. ITS fugue. We have each
Ponchon, Bailly and d'ArchamDeau
crowded around the table. They, too.
examined the copies. And they saw
that Betti was right. Without a word
each man walked to his music desk,
manuscript in hand. And SO II hap
ley Quartet played together On TINS
Christmas day of 1921 was this unique
gift. which proved to be a most
cha rming little fugue based on an OLD
Christmas carol and composed es-
pecialIy for them by Mr.. Skilton.
Then each man put his manuscE,pt
back in his pocket and vowed that
never before had he received SO per-
feet a Christmas gift.
Miss Ruth Butts of the Washington
Alumnae Club. Mu Phi Epsilon, enter
tanned the club at a dinner at her
home last Monday evening.
A quartet composed of Mrs. Ruby
Potter. soprano: Miss Marion Mccoy.
tenor. and Lawrence Keating Downey.
Biodsett, pianist, with Edwin Callow.
reader. gave delightful program
last Monday evening at the first lobby
concert of the new year. held al tne
tets. sympathy" from Fire Fly"
tFrimD; my Lady Chloe" (Clough-
Leighter): "Allah's Holiday" from
"Katinka" {FrimD; bass solo. vision
Fugitive" from La Herodiade" MAS
seneD: duet, Passage Birds Fare
we'll" (Hildach), Mrs. Potter and Miss
Mccoy; ''Homing" (Del Riego), Miss
Mccoy: Ring Out. Wild Bells" (Gou-
nod), Mrs. Potter; Because tDHard-
elot), Mr.. Gantz. and "Terse Telling
Tales and Tony the Barger' (Cal-
low). MIR. Callow.
Miss Katharine Peacock, soprano.
and William Shanahan, tenor. were
the assisting soloists last Monday
evening at the third public rehearsal
of the Rebew Orchestra. under the
direction OF H. w. Weber, which was
given as usual at the lecture room
Of Kellar Memorial Church. Miss
Peacock's numbers included loves
serrOy" G;ls tShellsy M shsnabap and ao9trI
buted, Because" (DHardeloD and
Give Man a Horse He Can Ride"
tO'Hara). The orchestra rendered
march. Military Days SMilier,.
overture. "Marionetten" ;a: tGuriitp:
characteristic woodland Whispers"
". Blon): march,. Battle of the
Waves and march, Soldiers and
Sweethearts." both by Hall, and
idyl, Tulips (Miils).
The thirty-seventh community
music evening. under direction OF
Edith B. Athey, civic organist. will
take place at the Central High School
auditorium next Saturday evening at
by Mrs Ethel Holzclaw Gawler.
soprano, and Miss Athey. In addi-
tion to the program by these two
artists there will be community sing
ing. The public is cordially invited
to attend and no tickets OF ADMISSION
are required.
A program of request numbers has
been arranged by Mrs. Henry Hunt
Mckee. organist. for. this evenings
service at Ingram Congregational
by Meta Craig and Mrs Charles
Beall, sopranos; Flora Brylawskt.
contralto; Royden J. Dixon, tenor.
and Charles T. Tittmann. bass will
be supplemented by a chorus and will
consist of professional hymn. On
congregations; chorus, Gloria" from
Mozarts Twelfth Mass: bass solo.
The Holy City" Mr.. Tittman; So
prano solo and chorus. 20 Holy
Night" (Adams). Meta Craig and
choir: tenor solo. "Open the Gates Of
| ~
anthem. :..Hark. Hark Ny Sour
Charles Beali and Mrs. Bryiawski;
Bass Solo, why. Do the Nations SO
Furiously Rage Together from the
Messiah (HandeD. Mr.. Tittman: con-
spirieuep. sTarie SSi0s 4 Thina R When When nss Read
That Sweet Story of Old Mrs.
Brylawski; soprano solo. with YER
dure Clad" from The Creation" (Han-
del), Miss Craig; anthem, From
Egypt's Bondage Come" (Page), by
gregation.
Miss Grace Nelson. one of the
promising young artists of the city,
furnished a delightful hour Of music
for the members and guests OF the
Arts Club last Sunday evening, con-
frming the impression that she made
earlier in the season when she was
presented in recital by Miss Mary A.
Cryder. Miss Nelson is the possessor
Of a dramatic soprano vioce of good
quality and in her various numbers
displayed a smooth legato and ex-
ceptionally fine diction. her rendition
of the French songs especially cal
ling forth much favorable comment.
she was assisted by Miss Miriam
Larking, violoncellist, and Miss Mtnna
Niemann, pianist, the program in
cluding, 'Reverie" (Rhene.Baton).