The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-04-22
Detroit Musicians
Association

Ififdrtu ny ptfoVuH WIN Hh'' w
signed from the Detroit Negro OPP
era and formed what they chose 10
call. the National Negro Opera As.
sociation. These releases through
their implications and direct as
sertions tend 10 reflect upon the
integrity ~ the officers and mem
hers NJ both The DINA and its au-
Hillary. The Detroit Negro Opera
The Detroit Negro Opera board
wishes ~ correct In the minds Of
tho many friends Of Negro art and
culture tho possible and even prob
able results of such implications
and mlsstalements OF facts
The entire program Of the Detroit
Musicians association. and its all
xiliaries IL not mercenary. but. civ
ic and cultural The policies OF
these programs Is the result OF
careful planning by musicians and
music lovers who are well-known
for their unselhsh civic contribu-
tons: individuals who are prayer
fully and nnselhshly thinking OF
he future OF our youth.
Announcement was recently read
Of the organization OF a second Ne
gro opera group. 10 he knnwn as
the National Negro Opera associa-
lion.
The executive secretary OF this
hodv. Ally. Ramon Martinez. had
very recently separated himself
from the Detroit Negro Opera. De
spite press releases stating that No
effort had been made To disrupt
The program Of the Detroit Negro
opera. the accompanies, leads and
chorus members received invita-
tons or announcements from this
newly formed group TO meet for au-
diiions and enrolment for operas
20 he staged this spring. This, de
spite lilo facl that these same IN
dividuals were rehearsing three
times week for a spring operate
production OF their own through |
the Detroit Negro Opera.
The wording OF the printed an
nonnccmeni and invitation appears
"THE NATIONAL NEGRO OPfRt
ASSOCIATION
a non-proit civic Association
has iust secured The services OF
MAESTRO STt' ART +. PIGGINS. !
Artistic Director and conductor of
Aida" ,Insilnne Of Arts. 1899. IN |
Tho same capacity. 10 take charge I
Of is operate productions this
Spring Additions and enrollmcnis
viii be held
SATURDAY. MARCH esth AZ 8 pm
A. TIIRn BAPTIST CHURCH
Corner ~ Ferry and ST. Antoine
Singers with operate experience as !
cast or chorus cordially invited
Mr. picgins will have charge OF the
additions in person
". WILSON. Clerk"
The Detroit Negro Opera did moi
dismiss ils former maestro. The !
organi7ation recognized his ability
as Young man. and granted every !
rea sonahp concession 10 retain |
him. huf tho organization also rec
osuyed itS responsibility 10 ifs
members and 20 It's many friends
The contract submitted nv the |
maestro Was one which the Detroit /
Negro opera felt was not flrda |
mentally sound and could not hs
properly executed Hence the res
ignaiion of the maestro and snbse
queni affiliaiion with the National |
Negro opera association under the
executive secretary ship ~ he
former assistant director NJ Tho De-
froit Negro Opera. who resigned
our former director STUART
rigrins was paid IN full all his con-
tract stipulated for his services
last wear. even conccding an OK
pense item which was not demand |
ed in the contract. Unity peace |
and team work are virtues me De-
troit Musicians association and |
Detroit Negro Opera desires. when
principle isn't sacrificed
An evening Of opera under the |
stars IN Toledo was contemplated !
last summer az The insligalion ~ |
our former director. who fell 'iat
such a venture would DO financial
IS beneficial and an ariiSlic snc
cess. a committee ~ two was ap- |
pointed by The board 10 accompany |
the business manager and difo'-
tor 10 Toledo 10 contact The Ne
groes there who were interested in
the promotion ~ the arair
A prominent citizen and lead
ing attorney. members ~ me (
board. We're also appointed 10 cln
tact citizens in Detroit for fnag, al (
contributions and as = result ahle
friends OF Negro culture placed IN
Tho custody Of the aiiornc, ,Nho
also served as legal advisor ~ No
oreanizaiionl. Sa55 90
The committee used $500 Of
this amount in their efforis to sr-
range The Toledo production The
donors. for professional reasons,
did not wish ihcr Identities .
ycalcd hence stipulated Tho amount
was 10 remain IN the custody ~ Tho
attorney. This amount was never
handled by The Detroit Negro up-
era hoard The production did mt
matcrialize The balance has ncNer
been turned over 10 the Ono heard
or the DINA.
The Detroi, Musicians associa-
ton appointed committee 10 au-
dit he accounts OF the Cilizens
committee which handled the hush
ness phase ~ last spring : opefauc
production Of the Detroit Mn,i-
clans association. Portions of This
committees report as submitted "
The Detroit Musicians assoc aiion
follows
DETROIT MISilIAN'S
ASSOCIATION
Ecnort of Tho nndifinO committee