Imperial Valley press., 1925-11-02
VALLEY ACADEMY OF MUSIC WILL
CELEBRATE ITS FORMAL OPENING
TOMORROW NIGHT, PUBLIC INVITED

| decoration. This studio may also
become q part of the auditorium
through the adjustment Of French
doors.
Three Balconies
Three second floor balconies, ar
ranged to command full view of
the stage and auditorium floor, when
supplementing the seating capacity
of the remainder of tie academy
provide accommodations for an
audience of 300.
Another feature worthy of spo.
cial mention is the sound proof
wall construction which surround
the five studios, four Of which have
grand pianos and the remaining one
Henry +. Miller pedal piano for
pipe organ practice. Installation
of the three-manual pipe organ will
be completed about December /,
Prof. Todd states. A celeste, i'm
ported from Paris, and u mclodeon
built in 1S47 are among the other
musical instruments in Prof. Todd IS
collection.
Walls of the studio are done in
Tiffany finish, and Lighting fix
lures which blend both in color and
line are used. Special high lights
have been installed for the stage,
which has an adjoining dressing
room. A heating plant has
been installed, Ingle warm air
furnaces being chosen. Attractive
furniture and rugs add to the ap-
pearance of the academy.
Came Here In 1912
Prof. Todd, whose dream of years
is being realized in the building of
the academy, came to Imperial Val
ley 13 years ago. Since that time
he has been actively identified with
musical affairs, and has been re-
sponsiblc for the development Of
much local talent.
The first pipe organ in the valley
was installed by Prof. Todd at the
state Street Christian church The
organ was later purchased by w.
r. Holt and presented to the church.
Under Prof. Todd s direction
many young people Of talent have
shown remarkable development.
Miss Winifred Perry, daughter of c.
y. Perry, who met her expenses for
her entire course at Mills College by
acting as organist, and who later
took charge of musical instruction
in the Bakersfield high school and
Junior college, was one of his earlier
pupils.
Among those of more recent date
We're Miss Mary Conley, daughter
of the late Rev. w. j. Conley. Miss
Mary Larew, Miss Estelle Needham,
Miss Elizabeth Greer, Miss Fern
Newton, Miss Bessie West, Hiss
Margaret Lanier and Miss Edith
kluck.
Prof. Todd has studied in musical
ccntcrs of the United States and in
Paris, has been an organist in vari-
Gus large churches, and successful
teacher i'll Chicago and other cities.
Assisting Prof. Todd ut the acad-
envy are Miss Estellc Needham,
Miss Elizabeth Greer and Miss Fern
Newton in the piano department,
Madame Katharine Ward kupclian
i'll the vocal department, Miss Paul
inc Hartman in charge Of dramatic
art, Interpretive and ball room
dancing, and Perry Arant instructor
in harmony.
Cooperating with Prof. and Mrs.
Todd and Contractor Chestnut in the
construction of the academy were
the Valley Lumber company, fur
nishing building materials and hard
ware; C. +. Haber. plastering con
tractor; w. d. Pollard, painting con
tractor, interior decoration; B. V.
Ezeil, Imperial Valley distributor
for Ingle furnaces; Electrical Con
struction company, who installed
the electric wiring and fixtures; j.
j. Mays. masonry contractor for the
fireplace and brick work and the
Imperial Valley Hardware who sup
Piled the furnishings.