Evening star., 1939-01-01

CHOIdl SOCleUy ana ulle SpleNQlQ
type of organ that the Washington
Cathedral has newly installed. In
return, local musicians have learned
Of the work being done in other sec
tions of this country. the researches
that have been made, and the in
novations that have been attempted
and the fruit they have brought
forth.
Every angle of the musical profess
sion has been covered and new
ideas advanced for the profit of
those who may not have thought of
them. Those attending the many
sessions must have been impressed
with the Importance of what is be-
ing accomplished and the magni-
tude of the responsibilities that now
rest upon the shoulders of each and
every one to continue to develop
the standard that has been attained
The opening meeting Immediately
disclosed two vital factors in the
musical life of today that did not
exist to the same degree at the time
of the last convention here, six
years ago These were the great
power of the radio as shown in Err
nest La Prade's talk on Audience
Participation in Radio Programs"
and Henry E. Meyers illustrated
outline of The White Spiritual, its
survival and destiny"
Edwin Hughes, the national presi-
dent of the association, in speaking
of the progress of the past year. told
of the increasing link that is being
forged between the local teaching
groups and the national organiza-
ton and the broadening of vision
that has resulted in the more uni
versal knowledge that has thus
come about of both local and ma
tional happenings in the profess
sion.
Extremely important, especially
from the local standpoint, were the
final words of the welcoming ad-
dress by Capt. Bischoff who spoke in
place of Commissioner Hazen. He
said, in conclusion, that it was to
be hoped that this city would have
building to house music events in
the future, symphony concerts and
grand opera and perhaps national
grand opera, and through the wide
scope of musical endeavors. to make
Washington the national center OF
music.
AS we'll acquainted as We all are
with the vast reach Of the radio,
athe fact it could supplement music
study to the degree in which it has,
was most important point. MI.
La Prade spoke of the orchestra
practice which was instituted some
years ago by which musicians
throughout the entire country, in
visible to each other. could play the
major symphonic works under the
leadership of an unseen conductor.
He also told of the many letters re-
ceived in which various instru-
mentalists had learned chamber or
orchestral music by playing in the
privacy of their homes with the diff
ferent groups broadcasting, and sew
eral wrote how their interest in
music had been stimulated so great
ly that they were again taking up
the study of it, one man at the age
Of II.
The experiment of holding classes
In musical instruction over the radio
proved so valuable that the idea has
been continued and expanded, The
result of the venture has been bene-
fetal to teachers, for, with founda-
ton SO laid or interest awakened,
the radio students were turning for
more complete knowledge to the
local teachers. All of this musical
material might have remained I'M
developed were it not for the radio
Turning the dial in search for new
entertainment, they happened on
these programs, perhaps, and found
something to enrich their lives for
ever more. Mr.. La Prade's address
was proof positive of the assistance
the radio can give to the teaching
profession.
In Mr.. Meyers talk on the White
spiritual, he not only brought out
the fact that right in our midst is a
fertile source of inspiration for a
national music for our composers,
but that haste must be made to
gather the material while it still ex-
lists. Known mostly to a few old
people and transmitted from gen.
Grafton to generation, this music is
not written down and will pass with
the passing of the few who cherish
1t. The beauty and charm of this
music that should form a basis for
a national style in composition. was
demonstrated by Mr.. Meyer in the
several old tunes that he played and
others that were sung by the Mount
Vernon Quartet, R. Dean Shure,
director.
The high point of the afternoon
was concert by the Little SYM
phony Orchestra from the Phi Mu
Alpha Fraternity, directed by Fred
erick Fennell. This group of young
musicians from the Eastman School
of Music gave an astonishing dem
onstration of the talent and the
character of the musicianship of
the students of today. Mr. Fennell
is a student conductor and already
shows a deep grasp of the influence
that a conductor can WELD on the
men playing under his baton. The
group played with real enthusiasm
and in their performance was the
freshness of their reaction to the
music and the unspoiled and emo
tional viewpoint of youth toward the
beauty that it revealed to them.
The different forums with inter-
esting and instructive papers read
by authorities on their subjects and
the opportunity for discussion after
ward. were perhaps the most i'm
portant of the many events of the
convention. Rudolph CAM in his
opening remarks at the piano forum
cleared up many puzzling points
about editions and gave courage to
many pianists to do what they have
often wished to do, ignor the editions
that our grandparents used. But
more significant than ANYTHING else