Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-08

M have special attraction
w as landing place fol-
conductorS-particularly
choral conductors. The
National Capital also has had it:
share of operate conductors
Within the past two seasons 9
music festival complex seems tt
be stirring and growing among
the many different groups in local
music circles. Undoubtedly the
y. c. Federation of Music Clubs
first actively developed the idea
practically when. a year ago this
Spring, they developed interes:
and arranged the choral festival
program in which 700 washington
singers. both of sacred choral
groups and secular choruSeS,
banded together and gave a
highly preSentable performance
under the guidance of John Fin
ley Williamson of Dayton choir
fame. In the, presentation of this
event. the federation had the CO.
operation of the local Council
for Better Church Music.
AS the Spring this year merged
into what has seemed tickle
pretext of Summer, there have
been two choral programs OF large
numerical proportions where but
one grew before. The Church
Music Council, on its own, brought
DR.. Daniel Protheroe TO conduct a
program similar to that given last
year with a group that listed 900
singers. A short time after this
program. Albert Harmed, teach
er and choral conductor who has
been associated with local activi-
ties for several years now. pre-
sented a chorus of $50 voices with
Soloists and accompaniment by
a student orchestra in. a produc-
ton of Gounod'S Redemption"
Within the past few weeks plans
have come to audible fumor pro-
portions from two additional
sources planning in each case for
festival of choral music next
Spring. This would bring at least
four groups in competition. and
while it might assume the aspects
of an Eisteddfod for comparison Of
methods of conducting and pro-
gram planning, on the other hand
il might tax the local audiences
considerably to have such an en-
barraSsment of choral riches. It
would seem much better for these
four different factions to get to-
gether and work out co-opera-
tive understanding basis even If
they do not care to join forces in
one festival of choral muse.
Washington audiences are gener-
ally, as proved in the past. mild.
willing and tolerant. but they
must have their limitations as to
capacity for one type of musical
entertainment.
There Is much to be said for
choral programs and their attrac-
tive qualities. Singers do not have
union regulations. Choral pro-
auctions do not neceSSitate pro-
hibitive financial outlay. A spec
tacular achievement with hun
dreds of participants may be ar
ranged at small expense. But the
important thing is to have every
detail of such programs perfected.
This requires time. AS Cincinl
nati's biennial festivals have
shown; as the Bach Choir Of
Bethlehem has demonstrated, as
DR.. Williamson with his three re-
hearsals a week OF the Dayton
Choir has exemplified-a good
chorus needs lengthy, persistent,
thorough preparation to give a
program ii ether than a mediocre
manner that will call forth all the
lenience Al patience that local
audiences are experienced in hay
ing to bring forth.
y y
CNCE Blossom Time" has
- proved a success of perennial
worth. there have been many
musical comedies written around
the stories of ether composers.
The latest of these Is based upon
the life of Frederic Chopin.
whose compositions stiil remain
the prime test for the abilities OF
young pianists. Also, the great
pianists OF the world when they
play general concert programs
quite as faithfully include one or
more Of his works.
It is said that the beauty of
Chopin's music. runs through the
musical show, Chopin" which
tells the famous romance of his
life. The entertainment is off,
ciaIly classified as a romantic
play with music" Karl Hajos has
been given the work of taking