Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-08
NJ u SIG
BY HELEN FETTER.

| rear NdtlOtldi \OhSSi NatSiy "
Music. Senator Fletcher got out
nice long bill about it several years
ago and there were couple o.
others at the same time. The new
est Congressional gestures in this di
rection have come from Representa-
tive Royal III. Weller and Represen
tative Hamilton Fish, jr., both O
New York. They both sound fairly
attractive in their suggestions but
the time has come that nobod,
raises their eyebrows very high OF
gets at all excited about this idea
of a bill in Congress on Nat:ona
Conservatory of Music unless there
is some indication that its conSidera-
ton is apt to become more than ar
empty gesture.
Mr.. Weller's bill has been referred
to the House committee on educa'
ton, while Mr.. FiSh's is i'll the hands
| of the House committee OH the Dis.
trict of Columbia.
Both measures sound interesting
from the suggestions they set forth
We can only express the feeling
along with one other Mr.. Weller
Christian name, Samuel-who was
introduced to us some time ago by
Mr.. Charles Dickens. that we are
Very glad to see you, indeed. and
hope our acquaintance may be a
long 'un, as the gen'imn said TO the
II pun note"
THAT the idea Of such a con-
L servatory is not at all new
was shown in letter recently
printed in the New York Times,
which reminded the editor of that
journal that:
THE National Conservatory of
Music of America, which was found
ed in 1885 and has been in existence
for over 10 years. is the only insti-
tuition of its kind which in scope
and organization is in conformity
with the old-established models. 1t
introduced in the beginning into this
country solfeggio-the great basis of
all musical education-and has done
for the creative side of music more
than any other school in America.
The fact alone of bringing to this
country the great composer, Antonin
Dvorak. as its director illustrates the
far-reaching aims of this institution.
*ss Recognizing the national
character of its work, Congress. in
1891, by special act, gave it a ma
tional charter which provides for the
granting and comforting of diplomas
and the degree of doctor of music
or other honorary degrees. On
March 4. 1921, President Wilson
amended this charter"
The writer, Jeanette NJ. Thurber,
points out very neatly in her last
paragraph that I'VE arc now seek
ing a site for the conservatory in
the National Capital and hope to re-
ceive from Congress a grant of land
on which to erect building"
= -
THE campaign for better church
/ music in Washington is going
steadily on with apparently more
cooperation and enthusiasm than
previously. The most recent de-
veiopment in connection with the
One Night Choral Festival that the
Washington Church Music Council
is sponsoring for May 2. in this city.
is the announcement Of the sacred
anthems which have been selected
for presentation at that time. The
selection was made by DR.. Daniel
Protheroe. a musical authority of the
country, who will be the conductor
of this performance. He chose the
following four anthems: Holy
Lord God Almighty" by Stewart ;
Jesus Only" by Rotoli; "Chcrubim
Song" by Tschaikowski. and Lead
Us. o Father" by himself.
The publicity department of the
Washington Church Music Council
states that I'm making the selection
DR.. Protheroe was asked to bear in
mind that all sizes of choirs would
participate and would wish to find
numbers suitable for use in their re.
spectiye churches as well as in the
festival programs. The music stores
have co-operated by offering specia
discounts on all festival music.
(The exact amount OF discount
which is variable at the different
leading stores, can be asccrtaincd b,
persons interested, via the teie'
phone.)
The plans apparently do not in.
ciude any rehcarsals prior TO May
except the one TO be conducted b,
DR.. Protheroe on April 80 or May !
However, special emphasis is laid OF
the fact that choirs and quartet,
expecting to participate in this fes
tiyal will sing these numbers Al
least once in their RESPECTIVE.
churches before that date and hav,
| them thoroughly prepared.
THERE is a decidedly musica
1 fare TO the title OF the newes
musical comedy to be presented thil
week by the George Washington
University Troubadors. II is callct
"Sharps and Frats." and the music
is written by Elmer Brown, a stu
dent. who was responsible for th'
music in 1926 and 1927 productions
II is interesting to find that music
IL playing an increasingly importan
part. even though in frivolous guise
in the university performances
which were hitherto devoted entire