Evening star., 1938-12-29

Inc MUSIC 1eacnerS' National AS
sociation, which tonight will hear
DR.. Walter Damrosch and Edward
Johnson, director Of the Metropol-
itan Opera Co., was told at its 60th
annual convention at the Mayfower
Hotel today that Washington should
be the most musical as we'll as the
most beautiful city in the country.
Washingtons opportunities for
musical leadership were discussed
by DR.. Edwin N. c. Barnes, director
of music of the District of public
schools and president of the South
ern Conference for Music Education.
Mr.. johnson, who was heard here
in opera and concert when he was a
tenor with the Metropolitan, and
DR.. Damrosch, noted conductor and
composer whose radio forums have
been notable contribution to the
musical education of children, will
be the speakers at the annual ban
quet of the M. T. N. A. Lawrence
Tibbett, originally scheduled to be
guest speaker, will be unable to
attend because of his appearance at
the Metropolitan's presentation of
Aida in New York tonight.
Praising the various factors con-
tributing to the musical develop
ment of the city during the past Is
years, Mr.. Barnes listed five definite
needs which must be met If Wash
ington is to attain musical su-
premacy.
These needs included an opera
house (which shall be to choral
music what Constitution Hall is to
orchestral; local, adequately
financed grand opera company;
greater attention to choral music;
a larger quota of music instruction
and better equipment in the public
schools, and constructive music edu-
cation programs in the universities
here.
Says Universities Offer Little.
In the public schools. he said, the
salaries of instrumental men are
much lower than in most major
schools. AS far as equipment in the
schools are concerned, he advocated
equipping new school buildings with
orchestral instruments just as they
are furnished with typeWriters, man.
ual training machinery and pianos.
The universities here, he declared,
offer little in the way of music in
struction. Only two are attempting
worthwhile music education pro-
grams, he added. and only one offers
course in public school music.
"I doubt if there is another city
in the country boasting five colleges
which shows so negative a record"
he declared
Comparing the cold reception
artists got here Is years ago with
the ovations they now receive, DR..
Barnes paid special tribute to DR..
Hans Kinder and the National
Symphony Orchestra. which, he
said, was the greatest force in the
music education of adult Washing
ton.
Musical Development Cited.
The increasing support of con-
certs here. the growth in the cur
ricula and standards of local music
schools, the classes in music given by
the Community Center Department,
the growth of light opera COM
panies and Mrs. Elizabeth Sprague
Coolidge's Library of Congress con-
certS were cited by DR.. Barnes as
significant of the musical develop
ment of the city.
Recalling the days when the Gen.
tral High School Orchestra con-
sisted of seven players, DR.. Barnes
said that high and Junior high
school orchestras are now major
week classes working in
school time. He added that the mu-
sic department in the public schools
records the study. experience, grades
and college preferences of every
music student and sends these rec
ords on to the colleges so they have
an opportunity to obtain new re-
cruits for their choirs, orchestras
and bands.
School Music Topic.
He expressed the hope that the
convention would leave a city more
strongly fortified in its fight for
culturally minded people"
The morning session was devoted
to music in the public and parochial
schools with Osbourne McConathy,
chairman of the Committee on
School Music for the M. T. N. A.,
presiding.
The opening talk was given by
Sister Anna of the College of st.
Catherine, st. Paul, Mimi, who dis
cussed the needs and achievements
OF parochial school music.
IA demonstration was given bv the
a