New Britain herald., 1925-04-04
THE OBSER YER Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

Hiding his light behind busho
 seems to bo one of the strong point
 of James Tobin, 19o Curtis street
 who for two years was the musi, supervisor of Connecticut's educa
 tional system. He has many friend among the musical elite of the city who delight in hearing him coax th' muse of Chopin and Beethovan iron the piano; but he has never given { recital in the city and has careful. kept his presence from being gener nlly suspected by the public. H, has given successful recitals In othel cities of the state. Indeed, he fl like the prophet who has gained-- and sought--little recognition in hi home town.
 Mir. Tobin studied the plano witt Augustin Lawson of Hartford fol eight years before going to the New England Conservatory of Music 1T Boston, where in due time he wat graduated as a competent musician He studied in Boston with George W. Chadwick and several others ol national reputation. He also has been enrolled with several artists summer classes" conducted by noted pedagogues, notably in Northamp- ton Mass. While living in Boston he corresponded for Musical Amer lea and had to attend plethora of concerts every week 10 cover his as- signments. When he returned to Connecticut he became the state mu- sic supervisor and held the position for two years.
 Since that time he has been study ing continually. He seems to be one of those rare individuals who do not think a fellow can learn too much. Being able to play the piano is but a small part of musical education. and Mir. Tobin has taken care to be we'll up in other divisions of the art. In order to help himself in this endeavor he recently mastered the Italian language, and will depart for Milan, Italy, in a month to study there during May June and July. at a special artists summer course. Af- ter that he will tour the continent in search of musical fare, having an eye toward attendance at the great Wagnerian operatic festsivals at Beyreuth, Bavaria-Wagner's home town-and the summer opera festi- val in Vienna, if they are still being given by the time he is through in Milan. He will also visit France. England and Ireland.
 On his return to New Britain he will prepare to leave the city to take up an important position as profess sor of music at the Westminster school at Simsbury. This is pri- vate preparatory school of high He will begin his duties there next fall, and will have the musical course of 125 talented boys under his care. To be professor of music at such an institution is no small honor, and the modest New Britain musician looks forward to an agreeable and profitable term.
 Some men are born business ex- perts. Others acquire acumen In this field. Some make failure Of their first venture but it should not be taken as a criterion of the fu- ture.
 He is only a little chap, so he can't be blamed if he underestimated the value of some of his property. He burst into the thouse the other afternoon with a mysterious pack age under his arm and a rusty egg beater in his hand.
 For heavens sake, Sonny, what have you got there?" his mother asked.
 'Lookit, mother, all these pretty things, and this egg beater."
 But why are you bringing them into the house?" was the next query.
 Cause I want 'em," the little tod Her replied.
 "Where did you get them?" asked he cross examining parent.
 Bobby gave them to me-" he an- ;wered.
 why" was the next intcrroga- ion.
 He gave all these things to me md he kept my tricycle. gave it O him." the embryo business man ,cplied. <
 Then the mother threw up her lands in horror, looked over the as- of tin cans and the egg ,eater, sent Sonny" back to see 3obby-and the transaction was 
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