The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21

the Birmingham Music Study cluD, from it's organization in 1905, when group of 20 women met at Mrs. Chalifoux' home in answer to letters sent out by Mrs, Chaiifoux, Mrs. Finch, Mrs. Davids and Mrs. John ston, one of the outstanding things is the fact that in most instances these same women are still prornl- nently connected with the club ana each year have served in some ca pacity triDuting to its growth. Among this first group IS the name of Mrs. Charles J. Sharp, and any one familiar with the cultural groWtn ol Birmingham must needs be familiar with her name, for whether 1t mas been music, literature or art, sne mas always figured prominently in their development, realizing that the de- velopment of the cultural side was just as necessary as the industrial, to make of Birmingham city we would be proud to live in, for we need the beautiful in life as well as the material.
 Although not a musician, Mrs. Sharp is a. great lover of music. and was brought up in musical atmos- phere No doubt her father, who was a great Shakespearean scholar, instilled ill her childish heart that 'The man that hath no music in
 himself.
 Nor is not moved with concord of
 sweet sounds,
 Is fit for treasons, stratagems and
 spoils,"
 Since the beginning of the club Mrs Sharp has served in various ca pacities, and has twice been presi- dent This year she is serving on the advisory board. and helped to organize the Ensley district com m mi q nfp
 Of her two terms as president she speaks as follows
 q was one of the 20 charter mem bers who gathered in Mrs. Chalifoux home to organize the Music study club. Being a newcomer to Blrmlng- ham, I at first was rather shy ana stood in terrible awe of the profess sional musicians. l believe !! owe my ability to speak in public large ly to the Music Study club. I served as a chairman and then in 1913 was elected president On my board were: Mesdames Victor Hanson, Houston Davis, J. E. Frazier, Morris Lenck, George Harrington, Q. l.. Stephenson, Johnston. w. J. Adams, Oliver Chali- fouX, E. c. Chandler, J. c. Car michael, l.. J. Haley. Oscar Hundley. w. M.~ Jordan,s Solon Jacobs. W. L. Murdock, L. J. Davids and MaxIe Fies. Almost every woman who is now living in Birmingham is still an active and interested member of the club.
 'The first innovation of my admin istration was changing the social open meetings to an artists course. which has proven such a success. To do this we had to increase our membership to include men as asso- ciate members. The club was spon- sor for all good musical attractions brought to Birmingham during the VI brought Christine Miller and Fred ericl Gunster, Paderewski, tho Flonzaleys, the Croxton- -Miller-Mur- ray quartet Neda Humphrey, Angelo Cortese, and the zoellner quartet.
 we had band concerts for eight weeks in the summer at ocst of s4,0OO. The Treble Clef club, com bined with the Music Study chorus for a May festival. An orchestra. four soloists, with the chorus di- rected by Mir. Rienzi Thomas. made an artistic and financial success of it. The chorus was added to the club this year. At the request of Dr. Phillips l appointed committee to cooperate with public school mu- sic Altrustic programs were given all during the year.
 MeIba Breaks Contract.
 Tn February we@ signed Mime Melba to sing. Much work and money was expended, when, just the day before her concert, she cap- ceiled her engagement with us. With over $2.000 in the box office and the prospect for much more. to on advertisements, I faced my first financial tragedy. The story oi MT. Sharpes attachment of Mime. Melba's personal effects, not over- looking the slapped face of her manager, just enough money in our treasury to pay all bills and leave about $200 in the treasury at the close of the year.
 Served As war chairman. q o
 T served as war chairman in 1917-1S when the Music Study club contributed to the base hospital at Camp Mcclellan gifts amounting to -~ $1,071.47 In May, 1918, I was again my 191S-19 administration is one of the thrills of my life. The terrible misery and glorious opportunity for service just about balance each other. We brought no artists for gain, We did bring the Paris or- chestra. when we did all the work not even accepting complimentary tickets, believing it was for the Red Gross. We afterwards found the Red Cross got nothing.
 Our artist series that year was Paul Althouse, Mable Garrison, Needa Humphrey, Alma Beck and i'9rHie '1fhe shogr, chorus Vas turned into a liberty chorus or four-minute chor- us. Miss Mallam gave her services as director of the chorus for the year as a free gift. The Christmas pageant at Camp Mcclellan, where hundred Music Study club singers joined with the soldiers. was one of the most thrilling experiences that will perhaps ever come to any of us again.
 ''The club lived on it's income, voted Sl,000 to be put aside to be used on an organ fund for the or- gan to be put in our new auditori- um, which is expected to be com pleted two years hence. The spirit in my last admnistration-work <, hard work, but gladly given with perfect cooperation is our record. Total donations for war causes ran over $3,000.
 1923 Greatest Fear 2 q 6f Club.
 T consider 1923 the greatest year of the Birmingham Music Study club. Not because I think it has the pest artist course, though it has a splendid one, but because the bril- nant president, Mrs. Rice, has full music, not to few music lovers, but to the great city of Birming- ham, Birmingham's soul seems to be awakened, for each community Ia calling each day for more tickets, asking to be allowed to help. We but no one thing is more beautiful than the loyalty of the Music Study club board to their president in helping her carry out her great work. This is Birmingham s-your ennr c,un. Id you have failed to send