Evening star., 1928-03-25


10 the approach used by any pre-
viouS nation and with different
weapons. Where China and India
built from a foundation of philoS-
ophy and legendary lore; where
Greece chose to reach its pinnacle
of artistic achievement through
the beauties Of architectural anG
Sculptural proweSS; where Europe
went through the Dark Ages, and
in each country built. muSically il
italy. scientifically in Germany
with empire building in Great
Britain. the United States. with
her great wealth, builds still diff
ferently.
The first educational problems
Of the United States were en-
hlemized by the three RS-'ritln'
readin' and 'rithmetic." However
since the days of the little red
schoolhouSe o: New England and
even of the log cabin fireligt,r
study Of Abraham Lincoln. the
status of educational subjects has
long since surpassed culturally the
naive and simple requirements OF
the three Rs"
The earliest records of the ariS-
tccratic families of Colonial days.
both in the North and South,
show a taste for music in homo
entertainment. The pioneers
found the barbaric music of the
different Indian tribes. and the
negro slaves brought their muSi
cal contribution TO this Nation
With the great wealth that people
uncovered in various forms all
over the country there was NJ
need for economy in engaging
musical artists. stage celebrities
End similar types of entertainers
as the cities developed mushroom
growths in population that made
s.lch entertainment desirable
Gradually there was built up a
musical world that is still sym
bolized by the Golden Horseshoe
oil the Metropolitan Opera House,
IN New York Even before the
people Of the United States had
placed music in practical. thor
ough manner as school subject.
they had the great SoloiSts. the
fine orcheStraS and the most re-
nowned opera house in the world.
LAYING increasing emphasis on the
fact that Americans did not need
70 60 elsewhere in the world for
the best in musical events from a
professional standpoint. Rather,
the best was brought to this coun-
try. The music culture Of the
people as a whole. however, had
not been able TO keep pace with
the possibilities of the pocket
books Of their most ambitious
leaders. Only now, through tie
splendid work being done by the
Federation of Music Clubs Of
nerica-especially the junior
clubs and home groups-in the
revision and constant improve
ment in the musical training Of
tered in public and private
schools, through radio lecture-rc-
ritals and mechanical reproduc-
ing pianos and monographs. arc
the people Of this country becom-
ing genuinely interested in music
for mugic'g sake, and not just in
some famous musical artist or or
ganization. It Is encouraging and
brings TO mind the lines Of Shake
gpeare in The Merchant of
Venice
''The man that hath no music In
himself,
Nor lis not moved with concord of
sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems and
spoils;
The motions Of his spirit are dull
as night,
And his affections dark as Ereous;
Let no such man be trusted"
nNE Of the finest efforts spon-
" sored by the Federation Of
Music Clubs has found its leader :
ship, fittingly enough, in the Ma
ti0nal Capital The home groups"
meaning families with at least
three individuals who play some
musical instrument or sing-haVe
become an important integral
part Of the plan for musical ad-
yancement In America. II Is an
inspiration in these days OF va
RED and scattered interests that
tend 20 break up the family and
ALLEVIATE the individuals 70 flno
such groups where mother plays
the plano, Johnny the cello and
MARI the violin, or where Lucy
has a soprano voice and Margare;
q confralto, and they can sing
duets with brother Jim playing
their accompanIments on the
piano. The day Of real chamber
music is only beginning " dawn
lF this country.
Washington has perhaps the
largest number of home groups
Of any city in the country at the
present time--detalis Of which are
given elsewhere on this page. To
add American zeSt TO this idea, Mr.
Isaac Cans, active member and
former president Of the Chamber
OF Commerce. viii donate at tht
"home groups" concert FridaS
evening at the National Museum
q silver loving cup which, begin
ming neZt year, is 10 be competed
for by these groups, according u
an announcement Just made b3
Mrs. Frank s. Westbrook. head ci
this department Of the District o.
Columbia Federation work.
%sTyHE biggest and the best hai
i been the gay slogan flung h
ahe world in many fields Of actiy
sty by people of the United State
collectively and individually
Musically it is tacitly agreed IN
fernationally that our countI,
xosSeEses the finest VI symptom.
.aD.a... crna .lza ta1.t.s and laeE