Evening star., 1926-10-10
.HE Washington music season
of 1857 was well launched
- last week, in spite of the


of 1867 was well launched
- last week, in spite of the
very warm weather that
greeted the first concert of the pro-
fessional season Tuesday afternoon.
The Glasgow Orpheus Choir came,
sang and conquered. Under the ex-
cellent direction of Hugh s. Rober-
ton, the 50 Scotch men and women
in that tourning organization pre-
sented a refreshingly different type
of program with rare style and fin
ish. When one considers the fact
that these people are not profes-
sional musicians and have voices
trained only in the choral rehearsals
under their leader, the evident appre-
citation on their part of every word
IN their songs, their clear-cut pro-
nunciation and the manner in which
they give life and color to simple
melodies skillfu ly harmonized are
things at which to marvel This
choir should prove an inspiration to
any Better Church Music" congress.
Of course. the real secret of their
program is tri-fold--a gifted con-
ductor who is a thorough musician,
a program of music chosen with dis
elimination and thoroughly sufficient
and intelligent rehearSals to make a
performance that is near perfection.
Now, however, in the terms of the
typist's practice book is the time for
all good men to come to the aid OF
their community for the glory that
belongs to local musicians and the
grandeur that is possible in local pro-
grams.
During the latter half OF the week
The second festival OF chamber
music to be presented in Washing
ton under the auspices of Mrs.
Frederic S. Coolidge, in the little au-
ditorium at the Library of Congress,
was held with marked success. The
achievements of those who partici-
pated in this festival gave added in
spiration and ambition to local musi-
clans who heard any or all of the
programs.
1t is an honor to Washington to
have patroness of music, such as
Mrs. Coolidge, bring a festival of
this type to the Capital. Another
lady who has done and is doing
much for the interest of general de-
velopment of music in this country
will honor Washington with her
presence shortly. An opportunity
will be given local musicians to catch
a glimpse of her vital, inspiring per-
sonality. She is Mrs. Edgar Still
man Kelley, president of the Nation
al Federation of Music Clubs. She
will be here November E. The local
chapter of the federation has
planned banquet in her honor and
hopes to have a complete response
and support from local musicians to
attend this affair.
It is true that the date falls on
that choir directors bugbear, Sat-
urday night, the night of many
churches for choir rehearsals. How
ever, here is due notice of the event
fully a month in advance. Surely
one program of local church music
can be rehearsed ahead of time,
either by changing the night of re-
hearsal that one week, or, if that
should prove impracticable, by re-
hearsing one extra number each pre-
eeding rehearsal night, so that the
entire program for November will
be prepared beforehand and the re-
hearsal of November can be elimi-
mated. The writer of this column
has sung in church choirs of various
denominations at one time or an
other since childhood and knows by
frequently inclined to be loose
jointed affairs and the music nine
times out of ten is neither startlingly
new nor overardently rehearsed.
Surely even the most conscientious
and progressive of choir directors
can manage to arrange things SO that
this one night will be free and the
choir members may do their part
and attend the banquet which, in
spite of its high-sounding name, will
be an affair for informal dress and
all will be welcome.
Mrs. Kelley is not only an impor-
tant figure nationally in music her
self, but is also the wife of an inter-
nationally honored American COM
pos A and it behooves all sincere
Washington musicians and music
lovers to attend this affair and hear
what this lady has to say. Incl
dentally, all three OF the District
Commissioners have accepted invita-
tions and will be among those
present.
While on the subject Of the Fed
Grafton of Music Clubs, this seems
the logical place to mention that
Miss Pearl Waugh. director of the
programs for shut -ins" of Wash
ington, announces that Is people of
local talented singers and instru
mentalists last year gave of their
services for people who are unfor-
tunate enough to be confined to hos>
pitals and other institutions, leading
lives that need cheer and music more
than the majority of folk. Miss
Waugh says that already she has
had inquiries from additional MEM
bers of local music circles regarding
offers to give programs for shut
ins. Last year the plan worked out
practically when one Individual gath
cred group around him or her
whose talents. supplcmenting each
other, would supply 4 complete en-
tertainment. Then these groups took
4heir one program around the circle
of the Institutions. Therefore any one
person who wishes to do his bit in
this fashion is asked to get some of
his musical friends with him, and
when he has group of two or three
Or more, as desired, get in touch with
Miss Waugh about definite dates.
She can be reached at 1865 Columbia
road. or by telephone at Columbia