Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-11
FAMOUS WESTMINSTER CHOIR
TOGIVE CONCERT HERE NOV. a
Walter DamroSCh Declares
Noted Voice Ensemble
Best in World.
Appeared at White House in
19l9-MemberS From
Many Nations.

A choir which Walter Damrosch
says is the best in the world, which has
sung before 1000 people in Albert Hall
in London. which has members from
India, South Africa, Japan and from
California to Maine, and was the i1rst
entertainment" given at the White
House by President and Mrs Hoover in
March. 1929, is coming to Washington
November 4. This is the famous West
minister Choir, under the leadership of
DR.. John Finley Williamson. which has
been acclaimed not only in this coun-
try-it originated in Dayton, Ohio, and
now has its home at Ithaca, N. Y.-but
has also had a success tour on the
continent.
When this noted choir comes to Con-
stitut:on Hall early in November 1t
will come through the sponsorship OF
Mrs. H. E. Talbot, one Of the most
capable music patrons and leaders of
this branch of the arts in the country
Mrs. Talbot back in 1920 took this
choir. so to speak, under her wing,
Having faith in the extraordinary
talents of its leader, Dr. Williamson,
she assured 1t long life and happiness by
giving 1t a permanent backing ard by
providing splendid quarters for it il
Ithaca.
Sent Choir TO Europe.
Furthermore. to prove to the rest OF
the world that her plan of fostering
the growth of this unique 'choir had
amounted to considerably more than
the average project" she sent 1t to
Europe on q long tour. which, in
cidentally, turned into triumphant
tour and which proved to its patron
that her untiring efforts had been APP
preciated as much as she hoped they
might be.
Mrs. Talbot, who has been in Wash
ington for the last few days, is now
planning q tour of the United States for
the choir She acts as manager as well
as sponsor at this time, coming as a
kind OF advanced guard to prepare the
way. She Is not, by any manner of
means. however, what you would call
the managerial type While she Is
loud in praises Of DR.. williamson S
work and his choir, she speaks but mod
estly OF herself and it Is only by a
considerable process of prying and prod
ding into her past that you discover
that besides her tremendous work In
this musical field she is one OF the
most complete home loving" persons
in the country. There appeared only
last Spring in one Of the Dayton papers
a half-page photograph of Mrs Talbot
surrounded by her children and her
grandchildren. There were 48 in the
picture.
Church Music FOStered.
Mrs. Talbot only recently completed
her Runnymeade Playhouse, which Is
probably the only structure of its kind
in the world. A tennis auditorium-it
has tennis courts and squash courts.
and stage, and the tennis courts can
be covered by chairs with a seating ca
pacity for 1000 persons. In this audi
torium' the choir gives many Of its
concerts.
The aim of the Westminster School
Is to build up the fabric of church music
in the United States. 1t is an institu-
ton Of collegiate standing (the school
has at present 142 members. out of
which 40 are picked from the choir
and it offers a degree of bachelor Of
music under the board Of regents of
the State of New York. The term
minister of music" has often been APP
piled to it, and it is strictly speaking
in the Service of the church"
DR.. Williamson has said of his
school: we are attempting to preach
the gospel of feeling and intelligence
and to re-create an interest in the art
OF church music. In our musical train
ing we have wandered IT, far from the
church. Music as a chic of the church
must be brought back to the church.
to work for it and not against it,"
Walter Damrosch only recent said
about the school, 1T is doing the most
important constructive work that has
been done In America in the last 20
years.
Capital ChOirs to Join.
When the Westminster Choir comes
to Constitution Hall early in November
1t will sing e program of unusual in
terest. many of its songs never having
oeen heard in the United States be-
fore. DR.. Williamson has undertaken
a vast survey into the field of ancient
music. much of which has long lain
neglected in archives abroad, and out
OF these he has taken many interesting
works which might otherwise never
nave been heard. When the formal
program is over a number OF local
choirs will join this group in the sing
IN gof hymn. All of which should
round out one OF the most stimulating
OF the many musical events of impor-
lance coming to this city this Winter.