The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-12-13
Musical
Mother
Pavs Way
Jubal Award
Will Be Presented
Wilson Woodbeck

When the Jubsl Award present
Wilson Woodbeck Sunday afternoon.
December IA, at the Detroit Institute
OF Arts, Detroiters will hear q young
man who has very early won the ac-
claim for music lovers in many
walks of life.
AS far back as he can remember,
Wilson has loved and followed mus
ic. His mother piano teacher be-
lore her marriage. taught him TO
play and to know the classics.
He was born in Clyde, New York,
but spent most OF his boyhood in
owen Sound Ontario. While in high
school he was a member OF the
High School Glee Club and a very
prominent one. At Is he was leader
OF a twelve piece string orchestra,
which he organized. In addition to
that, his naturally rich and beau
tiful voice was in constant demand
for church work and social gather
ings.
Soon after his twenty-frst birth
day he went to Buffalo, New York,
and secured employment with the
Pullman Company. He enrolled with
Joseph Phillips. prominent BARI
tone and voice teacher. and joined
the Lutheran church choir.
Then came the Toronto Fair OF
1885, in which Wilson entered a
contest for amateur singers. In this
he attained first honorable men
ton.
In time. Mr.. Woodbeck went 10
work for the American Airlines,
Inc. in Buffalo. and so popular did
he become in short time that the
line itself felt II should do some
thing TO further his career. With
the appreciation OF airlines officials
the young baritone was assigned
TO skycsp duty at New York. where
he enrolled at the Juilliard School
OF Music. After three year course
at Juilliard. he continued to study
privately under Evan Evans,
member OF the faculty. and Mrs.
Ethel Harry Smith and 10 coach
with Edward II. Margetson. out
standing Negro composer and must
clan. who had since been Mr.. woed-
beck's accompanist
Wilson woodbeck made his de-
but at Carnegie Music Hall Cham
Der in New York In 1910. at which
time he was heard by Mrs. Willie
Gomez, OF prominent Buffalo
family. SO impressed was Mrs.
Gomez by his sonorous voice. his
thorough musicianship. and inter-
pretative ability. that she suggested
on her return TO Buffalo. that Macs
tro France Autori Of the Buffalo
Philharmonic orchestra should hear
him. Maestro Autori sent for Wilson
and on hearing him was equally i'm
pressed engaging him on the spot
for that season.
Again this season Mr.. Woodbeck
has been engaged by the Buffalo
Philharmonic. and also has many
other concert engagements. He has
recently been working with the
eminent Olaf Olsen toward the per-
lection Of his vocal technique.
In the introduction written for
Mr.. woodbeck's debut program. c.
r. Smith. American Airlines presi-
dent SAYS The backbone OF what
We like to term American spirit Is
(a) constructive individual amb-
ton. fbl willingness on the part OF
the individual to work and TO sacri-
fee In order 10 achieve that ambi-
tion. (c) willingness on the part OF
the American people to afford OPP
portunity. to recognize and award
merit.
"Wilson Woodbeck has ambition
he has ability and he has worked
for many years seeking the oppor-
iunity Of proving his ability. He
should be given that opportunity
ION his own time. for nearly four
years now. Wilson has devoted his
energies and his savings to the
- ..Atcn