Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-14

the program with many already eA-
tablished artists" said Mrs. Camp
bell Il remember my songs were
Summer Night by Goring Thomas;
Beethoven's Creation Hymn and the
Schubert group of German lieder
Joseph Holman, aallist from the
court of Holland, played my ohligatoS.
This interested me very much, as my
maternal grandmother was Martha
Schoonmacher from Area terdam, who
married my grandfather. W. ID. Gage,
in New York"
Shortly after her return home hr
Campbell's health failed aud h. was
ordered to a ranch in COLORADO to re-
cuperate. Mrs. Campbell l;9d aside
all her plans for the concert career
so auspiciously launched and accom-
panied her husband to Mesa County,
Colo. Her piano went with her, and
her love of music, and within a bl ief
period she had started a movemes9L
that probably entities her TO be called
the mother of community singsF
Every Sunday afternoon she invited
the cowboys from all ranches for
miles around to come to her home
where she gave them a treat of ap-
pies and doughnuts and led them in
singing worthwhile music. This she
continued with increasing SUCCESS
Y x =
HER husband recovered his health.
= and when the oil rush in Indian
Territory started, he joined il. Put
ting her children in a good school,
MIS-. Campbell went with her husband
10 experience real pioneer days" no
Sidewalks, roads SO muddy AS to re-
Quire the wearing of rubber boots
most OF the time. But with her was
her beloved piano, and soon she call
ed together the women of the COM
munity. some Indian, some from tho
East and organized The Fortnightlv
Club ot Bartlesville, Indian Territory,
now Oklahoma, for the study and enjoy
ment Of music and literature.
The next family residence was estab-
lished in Coffeyville, Kan. There Mrs.
Campbell found the same inherent.
but undeveloped love of music she
had uncovered elsewhere.
In the midst of these enthusiastic
endeavors," said Mrs. Campbell. my
husband was chosen by one of the
oil companies to investigate the pos
sibility of finding oil in the vicinity
OF Lander, Wyo.
AT the end of two days was
busy organizing mems glee club.
AT the end of eight months we
had progressed so far that we gave g.
concert for the benefit OF the new
armory. That was a gala night.
dressed up in the gown l had worn
at my debut in London. The railroad
ran special trains from nearby towns.
We .aised Il good sum for the ar
mory. The chorus sang from mem
,.y--no music being allowed-the
Soldiers Chorus, from Faust: Pill
rim Chorus. from 'Tannhauser';
Warrior Bold (west); Tinker
Chorus, from Robin Hood and an
arrangement Of the Lost Chord for
male voices. The tone, the harmony
of those voices was as fine as l have
heard anywhere
This chorus is still in existence
and an additional music club has
been formed by its efforts.
You have always chosen the best
music for study in these groups
wherever you have found them?"
asked
always" was the prompt reply.
II knew it was only the best that
would interest them.
From these experiences I am con-
she continued, that the only
thing needed to bring American art
to it's fullest fruition in all lines is
the awakening of Americans to the
fact that they owe recognition to
their own artists
X x x \
4 SkED as to whether the modern
jazz epidemic was a cause for
Mrs. Campbell said
that, in her opinion. it was the chrys-
alis stage, from which would burst
forth new music, a new interpreta
ton. with greater color and rhythmic
Intensity, to fit the viewpoint of mod
ern life. Mich of the older music.
she stated, was highly intellectual
and did not appeal SO strongly to the
emotions. The new music will be
a. perfect blending of the intellectual,
spiritual and physical interpreta-
TONS" she declared.
will that perfect music be pro-
duced in American" I asked. as we
parted.
I'm my belief, it will be" was the
reply. That is why I am
my whole heart and soul
into the effort to encourage Amer
lean artists to develop their own Gre
alive art. And, In addition to this,
the best in music should be brought
into every life, so that there may he
audiences TO appreciate
what the true artist has to give"