The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-11-16

first production TO the present. there
have been years both in England
and America when the play has been
through unbroken productions.
The first opera was written by
William Frye in 1915. The title was
"Leonora.' After this proved sue
cess. others appeared and were as
We'll received \ German. GOttleih
Granpner. is the father-o the Amer
lean orchestra, said the speaker.
The first one OF note was the Phil
harmonic Orchestra of Boston
which was later replaced by the
Boston symphony. The latter gave
its first concert in 1881 and is still
most outstanding.
A few of the outstanding women
writer's and composers are Harriet
Ware. Gena Branscombe, Alice
Barnett. Lily Strickland. Pearl Cur
row. Margaret Lang. Carrie Jacobs
Bond, and Mrs. H. H. A. Beach.
Among the composers attracted
by the Red man were Henry Gil
bert, Arthur Farwen, Carlos Troyerr
Harvey LOOMS. Charles Wakefield
Cadman, Therlow Lieurance. and
the Indian and negro research work
er, Natalie Curtis.
In the opera world. Victor Her
bert stands forth as the bright shin
ing light. Although born in ireland.
he became a naturalized citizen OF
the United States.
The band and march king. John
Philip SOusa, was famous around
the entire world, especially for tie
one selection that made him fam
ous-"The Stars and Stripes For
ever Etheltert Neyin is said to
have reached the hearts OF the
people with his beautiful melodies
as perhaps no other American With
the exception OF Stephen Collins
Foster, who wrote so many of the
folk songs. The greatest pOet-com-
poser is without question Edward
he said
Mr.. Schafer called attention To-
the great symphony orchestras, ana
to the music festivals which are con
Quoted annually in this country. |
One OF the largest festivals OF its
kind is heard each spring in this
Each year its member
ship increases. and this is only one (
OF the ways that the finest music !
IS presented in classic form. he
pointed out.
Referring TO negro spirituals, Mr.
said. The American scene
would not be complete without ref
erence to our negro spirituals which |
are the most characteristic product
Of negro genius to date. These spir. 4
ituals are their great folk gift and /
they rank among the classic express
sions in the entire universe. Their /
genuine appeal, | think, is due TO |
their moving simplicity, their orig. /.
inality. beautiful cadence, and har- /
mony. Every music lover loves a
spiritual"
Mr. Schafer read the following
statement regarding the growth OF I
music in the public schools To-day |
in America, ten million people. most |
Of them public school children. are
studying music. Millions of Amer.
leans actually play instruments in
the $4,000 school bands and orches- /
tras, and in the 260 local symphony I
Orchestras. Through education, Am. (
erica is at last satisfying its urge
for music,
In closing he said that he believed /
that Plato summarized nearly all .
hat can be eyaluated in music when .
he said, Music is a moral law. 1t .
gives a soul to the universe. wings !
TO the mind. flight to the magma.
ton, charm to sadness, gaiety and !
life TO everything else. It is the es- I
sence OF order and leads 10 all that .
Is good, just. and beautiful"
Following Mr.. Schafer' 5 fine paper. 7
he presented his octette which de-
lighted everyone present. Numbers |
by the Octette announced bv Gerald |