The Washington times., 1927-05-13
MUSIC NOTES
by JESSIE MacBRIDE-
DON'T MISS THE CHORAL
FESTIVAL" NEXT WEDNESDAY

FESTIVAL" NEXT WEDNESDAY
We haven't quite awakened to the
fact that Washington Is staging
an important choral festival" at
Central High School next Wednes-
day evening.
Something very fine Is promised
for this "massed chorus, concert.
WE are entering the list OF cities
to be proud of united effort to
make the best in choral singing.
John Finley Williamson Is our an
swer at this moment.
Mr.. Williamson opened series Of
afternoon ''classes" upon invitation
Of the District of Columbia Fedora
ton of Music Clubs and the Wash
ington Church Music Council, at
Epiphany Parish Hall yesterday aft
ernoon.
The first rehearsal OF the mems
chorus took place in the same hall
last evening.
Some seventy or so directors of
choirs and choruses attended the
opening class, which is given with
merely a nominal fee of 50 for the
S~~-t -N-OP
through next Wednesday.
This is a big step forward.
It represents a unity of purpose
that will at last get us somewhere.
1t is what Washington has lacked.
If Mr.. Williamson can bring this
about he will be benefactor to the
city in many ways.
- X
urge that all directors OF choirs
or choruses, whether enlisted In the
class or not, attend the evening rO-
hearsa1s OF the units Of the chorus
or the complete choruses that take
place tonight at Epiphany, with the
women's chorus in rehearsal, and
Monday and Tuesday evenings at
Central High School auditorium.
This invitation is cordially ex.
tended-without obligation-by the
two important organizations who
are sponsors for this first great
Choral Festival Of 1927.
Mr.. Williamson has much to give.
He obtained a quick response
from the mems choral group last
evening.
He has a very interesting facility
for getting himself across quickly
to new group, which il SO valu-
able in the conductor who comes
into the. final rehearsals Of an
established group.
you must put feeling, spirit, into
physical singing. A choir singer
must have something within to
give out.
Don't slump, as you stand.
Voice placement Is a misnomer.
The old abdominal breathing Is
almost gone.
Vibrations, tone waves. are the
principal upon which singing must
be based.
Don't sing vertically, up and
down. Sing howingly, across"
And when the chorus demon.
strated this last direction, the re-
suit was beautiful legato singing,
beautiful music, not ''the skeleton
Of the revealed technique, as Mr..
Williamson pointed out.
Posture, correct posture, brings
an even vibration. Pride, alertnegs.
brings correct posture. It remains
the idea in the mind, not q muscu-
lar strain Of the BODY
&AA
These are some few Of the
thoughts that bring Mr.. Williamson
70 US as g golden opportunity" al
Mr.. Braithwaite so APPLY said in in
Producing him to the choral group
last evening.
Director Of that marvellous choir'
the Dayton Westminster Choir
Mr.. Braithwaite further calls him.
w: p. Braithwaite has been
chairman" Of the organization Of
this big Choral Festival group.
Esther Linkins, president Of the
ID. g. Federation Of Music CI,,bs.
was the originator Of the thought
and has put her best into the
fruition Of this first concert, Mr..
Braithwaite has been training the
mems choruses and Herndon Nor.
sell has conducted the women's
chorus, that meets tonight.
The mixed chorus comes together
: (continued on Page $50