The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-13
TRAINING SCHOOLS FOR MUSIC CLUBS.
Make America Music Center Of WorId,' Is Clubs
 Slouan

Among the many plans for the fur aerance of music club activities which were acted upon at the fall board meeting of the National Fed eration of Music Clubs, held in New York recently. under the direction of Mrs. John F. Lyons, president, were. The estab bllshnlent of training sys- tenn for music clubs, propaganda to introduce the new course of study as Z q part of an intensive educational campaign. recommendation fol in- .screase of club dues, institution of a fund for scholarships, and Sunday school music 4hemory contests pro- vided for. .s,t
 How is club formed?
 How is a club conducted?
 What is the scope of music club work?
 To answer questions of this kind, Mrs. Cecil Frankel, first vico presi- dent. has initiated a project for the institution of Fl training syseln which will give club members, or individ- : 5ua1s wanting to establish clubs. full Knowledge as to how to go about it, departments of work, with ccnfer- ences at stated intervals. and lec- lures to fully explain the operation of club, and to organize model pro- 1. gramst for the information of the members.
 I II course of study for the general en- 1ightment of the clubs on music matters are the two strong educa- tional factors at present being stressed by the federation.
 American Artists.
 Will the music clubs take advan- tage of the opportunity to cooperate in placing the American musical art ist on par with foreign artists on their programs this season? great deal of discussion was had at the board meeting on this point, and in addressing the directors. Mrs. Lyons said: "The music clubs must support the American musical artist in car rying out our decision to see that at least 50 per cent of the programs present native talent, for in the ', hands of the music clubs lies the fu- ture of American musical art"
 Of prime importance. too, was tho announcement made by Mrs. Edgar Sti1lman Kelley, chairman of Ameri- can music. of the sponsoring of The American Opera Production" the production nf at least one American lyric drama each season. This means the organization of an artistic body capable of giving high grade per forrnances. which will function in , various cities simultaneously It will he under the direction of Ralph Ly- ford. conductor and composer. the first opera will be his Castle Agra zant," there will be an orchestra Of b4 musicians chorus of so singers and a ballet of "A dancers.
 scholarships.
 The elimination of a concert tour for the winners of the biennial con- tests. in Favor of scholarships under great masters, resulted in the estab- lishment of q scholarship fund at the board meeting, the Chaminade ciun; of Providence, R. l.. being the first to contribute in the. sum of $lOo: AS this schol arship idea Is one Of the aims of the past presidents assem- blv and all rnonevs therein are to be Ssed for this purpose, 1t Is expected that the fund vii soon grow to ap- nrec,ahle size. in addition to the frse scfolareh'os being offered by teach ers of note.
 The entire tone of the meeting In New. york nugured well for tho sea- son's efforts on the part of the pro r,oters of American music and must claws and showed that this orEaniza- +io, ha ses It's orerations for the fur, therence of native music on sonnd p-,rcir,es. Their greatest aim: To Nata Arcer'ca the Music Center of 4La World"