Evening star., 1938-11-13

Baltimore. where she was awarded
a teachers certificate in harp in
1888. In 1894 she also was the re-
cipient from this institution Of the
artists diploma in harp, the highest
honor conferred by the conservatory
and the only Peabody diploma ever
to be awarded to a harpist.
After three seasons with the Bal
timore Symphony Orchestra. Sylvia
was appointed first solo harpist of
the National Symphony Orchestra in
Washington and subsequently fea-
tured as soloist.
Cartwheels Before Breakfast.
And then there Is Miss Meyers
athletic prowess. I simply held my
breath when I found that she regu-
larly turns cartwheels before break
fast. lust for fun" and doesn't con-
slider herself quite as good "in hang
Ing from trapeze bars" as her mother.
Muscular coordination, we found,
sometimes enters into harp playing
to . marked degree. For instance,
in the Don Juan selection from
Richard Strauss, which Is . feature
Of the Sunday concert here In
Washington, there are 16 pedal
changes in three measures for the
harp feature Of it. Physical ability
to make this quick shift must as q
matter of course accompany mu-
sical skill in the Interpretation of
q great harmony. Anything more
delightful than having it illustrated
to us in the music room of her par
ents' Georgetown home, with its
lovely proportions, it is impossible
to imagine. Here Sylvia often
brings her associates, too, for the
square dances which so greatly in
trigue her.
A separate stage dressing room
for a feminine soloist on tour with
70 men might have proved a din-
cult problem at times had not Sylvia
solved 1t in unique fashion by util-
izing her harp case fdr such emer-
gencies.
Under flashlight convoy, aided by
an Indian summer moon riding the
heavens, we made our way to the
rear of the Meyer P street holdings.
Here in the famuy's red brick barn,
which it refuses to designate as
a garage, saw all of the self
trived gadgets which have converted
her harp case into a dressing room.
With its wings" or folding sides,
turned at right angles against any
wall, it insures absolute, if a bit
cramped, privacy In addition to
holding harp stool, which folds
up, and music rack which comes
apart, and fits into its appointed
space, the harp case sustains a
snaffle hook from which may
suspend on hangers, two concert
frocks, one for afternoon and the
other for evening concerts. There
is also a niche for her French
heeled concert shoes A mirror,
dressing table appointments, and
even a bottle of cleansing fluid, for
removing travel spots and stains,
often much in demand by her
masculine compatriots, constitute rs
complete and compact stars dress
ing room as one could hope to
see.
Keeps Repair Kit Handy.
Accompanying her on all con-
cert tours is her repair Kit with
its screw driver and extra harp
strings which she keeps immedi-
ately at hand, even during a con-
cert. Not infrequently in humid
weather or during sudden climatic
variance, lightning like change Of
strings may be necessary during q
sonata movement. Her harp Bible
Is the complete chart record which
she keeps Of all the strings on her
instrument, 50 that she may know
what to count upon in the normal
run of string efficiency.
Concerning her profession Sylvia
Meyers says: "Of course, devotion
to q musical career is an exacting
life. Consciously, or unconsciously,
you must make sacrifices tor it.
The hours Of practice and Of study
are only two examples. Others
are, never being able to At your
spare time into the leisure of others,
and of never being able to count
on the usual social experiences with
your friends who aren't in the same
profession. On q concert tour, with
close schedule, for instance, there
must often be q choice between
dinner, or . bath followed by q
glass of milk. Usually l. take the
bath and the glass of milk and
trust to luck at securing dinner
after the concert. But you haven't
ever the slightest feeling Of feeling
down -trodden, or different, and you
know In your innermost soul you