The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-23


 never so happy as when talking about how she and Mrs. Julia Nicely Finch met downtown one day, way back in 1905. and as they stood on the corner chatting, there was sudden lull in the conversation; then Mrs. Chalifoux said: You are thinking just what I am thinking" and almost simultaneously they both exclaimed Lets start a society for the study of music!'
 They called to their aid Mrs. Rich ard F. Johnston and Mrs Laura Jackson Davids, and spent one whole morning sending out invitations to meeting to be held at Mrs. Chah foux's Just here, Mrs. Chalifoux had to stop to show some music to some one, as we were having this inter view at Mir. Chalifouxs music mouse; so she turned over to me some ora clippings which told of the results following the 100 letters which were sent out and the first meeting
 New Idea In Musical Lines.
 For the past week over 100 let ters have been sent out in this city with an invitation to attend meet ing on next Thursday afternoon at Mrs Oliver Chalifoux's, the idea be- ing to organize a soceity for the study of the history of music. Mrs. Chalifoux and Mrs. Julia Nicely Finch are the promoters of the idea, and Judging by the answers received, l they seem to have struck the key note of the situation. The promoters hope to create more of an artistic at mosphere in Birmingham, which heretofore has given up its time to money making and pleasure. In talk ing to the promoters on the subject they said they wished to firmly im- press upon the people that this so- oio ic no nlpa wheTt the members would be calld upon to prform either with vocal or instru- mental music and afterwards pander to the wants of the body by partak- ing of elaborate refreshments. They think that too much of this has been done to the detriment of the intel lctual side of even the most cultured | musicians. They wish no one to join this society who does not expect and wish a systematic study of the his tory of music. In speaking of the answers to the letters sent out, one of the promoters said that she was pleased that so many seemed anxious to join when they learned that there would be none of the former system used and that they would not be called upon for display of their tall ents. There are at present, howeved, | no definite plans or nules, as until after the meeting Thursday they can not decide any of the details. Only  intellectual side of the matter will be emphasized in preference to the | social. The meeting VAlI be held Thursday at S:30 o'clock at Mrs. Chalifoux's, 1881 Twelfth avenue south. Both Mrs. Finch and Mrs. Chalifoux are among the best musi- cal critics in this city, and under their supervision the newly formed society will be given the proper i'm petus They wish it emphasized also hot i., tfh ha oc under any circumstances.
 For The study Of Music.
 The meeting held yesterday at Mrs. Oliver Chalitoux's for the organlza. tion of a society for the study or the history of music as attended by large number of local musicians, | who manifested hearty interest In the plans formulated. As was stated in these columns few days since, | the society is to be a social club with musical programs, followed by re- treatments, Mir. Richard Johnston presided at the meeting. Officers were elected as follows; Mrs. Oliver Chalifoux president; Mrs. William ,Mudd Jordan, secretary; Mrs. J. C. Carmichael, librarian; Mrs. Laura . Jackson ~Davids, chairman of cur 1 rent topics, meetings. The society has not as yet been named. This is to be decided at the meeting next Wednesday at o'clock with Mrs. ChalifouX Afterwards meetings will be held bi-monthly on Wednesday afternoons. The society starts un- der encuraging auspices, and they hope to develop a large musical or ganization which will be a credit to the members and to the city.
 There will be no dues and no re- treatments will be served. for the present. Among those present yes terday were: Mrs. Chalifoux, Mrs. W. S. Lowell, Mrs. J. H. Phillips, Mrs. William NJ. Jordan, Mrs. John Fletcher, Mrs J c. Carmichael, Mrs Feagin, Miss Nellie Sloss, Miss Annie Parker, Mrs. Laura Jackson Davids, Mrs. Julia Nicely Finch, Mrs. Richard Johnston and others. Word was re- ceived from large number who | could not attend, but who will join at the next meeting, including the representative musical women of the city. The club is open to all inter- ested in the study of music, the plan being to start with the beginning of music on through its progress to the present day.
 Current topics meetings will ln- clude news of the musical world to- day. The idea was started by Mrs. Chalifoux and Mrs. Winch, and all members so far haveS entered seri- ously, with a determination to make the society a means of Improvements
 It was Qeclueu yeSIeTudy lO iHNluuC all musicians, whether professional or not.
 When did you name this club" l asked. Her black eyes sparkled, and, | with the merriest laugh, she replied: Don't say club. You remember, un- der no circumstances is it to be called a club" Then she explained that after two or three meetings they decided to name the new so- ciety the Music Study circle. After several meetings, the promoters felt their highest expectation realized, for the membership was complete and they had long waiting list, vice president was added. Mrs. David Roberts, and Mrs. Finch was made director.
 Did the enthusiasm keep up the first year?" I asked. Sometimes 1t would lag considerably" she replied '"and we would have to almost take some of them by the hand and lead them to the meetings; then, again, I would call up and tell them we were going to have refreshments"
 Just here we had a hearty laugh, thinking what a time Mrs. Rice would have if she attempted to re fresh" all of the members of the cup as it stands at present. During all these years Mrs. Chalifoux has al ways taken a most active interest in the club, and a morning meeting without her in one of the front seats would be an oddity. She Is espe- cially happy in the thought that one of their early dreams-'that the day will come when we shall be able to bring splendid talent from afar for the benefit of the dear public"-has been specialization for many years