Evening star., 1941-02-16
Film Awards
For Music
Be Initiated
Federation Plan
Arranged for
Hollywood
Bp Alice EverSman.


tional Federation of Music Clubs
when, for the first time, awards
will be bestowed by the federation
upon outstanding musicians in the
films, on June q in Hollywood Bowl.
There will be elaborate ceremonies
connected with the event, which
will be part of the activities OF the
biennial convention in Los Angeles.
Those who will be so honored Will
include both performing artists ana
composers whose works have con-
tributed to the success of some pic
ture. For the important work OF
arriving at a correct decision the
helm of musicians of every type has
been solicited by the federation,
even to the extent of asking student
groups to Join with heads of college
music departments, prominent edu-
Gators in various schools and the
lavmen of the federation in eval-
uating the films selected for con-
sideration.
The federation decided to embark
on this new project when 1t was
noticed that slight attention was
paid to musicians when the awards
for excellence were distributed oy
the Motion Picture Academy OF
Arts and Science last year. so
many of the worlds best musicians
are now affiliated with the MIN
industry, both as writer's OF the
music used and as performing
artists. that it was decided some
recognition should be given them,
since their contribution to the
cause of music has been conSld-
cradle.
Every type of music in the films
will be reviewed. 1t is planned TO
choose from among the best orig
inal scores for a dramatic picture,
for the best arrangement of stage
musicale, or an adaptation of eX-
isting material combined with an
original score, the music for a full
length cartoon or for short subjects,
for the best original song and TO
the best man and woman singers.
The awards are called musical
Oscars" and will take the form of
plaques with the federation insignia.
They will be presented by Mrs.
Vincent Hilles Ober at a concert
to be staged in Hollywood Bowl by
the motion picture industry, with
the program consisting OF excerpts
from the selected pictures with the
award winners participating. 1t is
hoped to make such presentation
an annual feature, with the object
of stimulating effort toward the best
music in films.
In the desire to encourage greater
use of sacred music on radio broad
casts. B. M. I. has recently issued
a new hymnal. The book contains
492 numbers, most of them standard
HYMNS, and gospel songs with which
nearly every one is familiar, with
a few patriotic songs and Negro
spirituals added. The book is so ar
ranged that it can be used for con-
gregational and community singing.
The particular music of each de-
nomination is included, the whole
covering the best loved sacred music
of the Protestant, Catholic and Jew
ish faiths. The selection of material
has been in the hands of repreSen-
tative men of each creed who
have had experience in compiling
hymnalss With the book itself. the
publisher sends out the following
notice: I'VE invite the public
performance, by broadcasters in
churches and synagagues, privately
and in public, of the material con-
tanned in this hymnal without re-
striction or compensation, in the
hope that this may encourage the
wide use of these religious works.
For the first number on the pro-
gram of the Philadelphia Orchestra S
last concert here, Eugene Ormandy
had the lights dimmed in the ceiling
of Constitution Hall. The relief
from the glare of the strong lights
was felt by every one in the audience.
Unfortunately the musicians COM
planned that they could not see the
music sufficiently we'll and the con-
ductor was compelled to have the
full power of the lights turned on
for the remainder of the program.
Once before, at a concert by the
National Symphony, the lights
whether by design or accident we're
lowered and for a brief time the
same feeling of relief was exper-
fenced by those attending.
The brilliancy of the lighting of
the D. A. R. hall has been a source
of trial to many of the patrons of
concerts there. For nearly two
hours they are forced to face the
brightness of the hanging lights on
the stage, while from above beats
down an additional glare. With the
attention focused on the music, and
consequently on the performing mu-
sicians and the conductor, the strain
is great on the eyes of all those
seated within the bright circle.
From further back the effect is less
trying, but at the same time the de-
tails of the performance cannot fully
be appreciated because of the dis
tance from the stage.
1t was surely never meant for
music to be listened to in circum-
stances such as this. Attending a
concert where the great music of
divinely inspired composers is played
Is spiritual experience of a per-
sonal nature and should be sur
rounded by an atmosphere of peace
and relaxation. The concert hall
should be a retreat where each in
dividual, although part of a large
audience, may commune with him.
self and draw refreshment from
the association with the musical
thoughts 1t is difficult to do this
when the hall is so brilliantly
lighted. At the same time, the
musicians must have enough light to
see the music properly and it seems
feasible that the system used in
other places, where the orchestra
plays in dim hall, could be adopted.
Miss Van Wey Sings