Evening Star Newspaper, December 23, 1928, Page 57

MU ST1C BY HELEN- FETTER. HERE will be plenty of music ringing in the air all this week, with particular em- phasis on the first two days. It. is probable that more people will participate than at any other season of the year, unless it be at Easter, for a large proportion of the music will consist of the fa- miliar old anthems and carols set to tunes endeared by memories of early singing in childhood days and made of the age proof fabric that only carols and anthems pos- sess. It is perhaps significant that practically no modernists have at- tempted to write songs to be sung, at Christmas in the vague, minor- keyed styles so prevalent with what might be called smart, so- phisticated music circles of today. If anything, the musicians seek backward into the earliest records of Christmas music to unearth new material to vary the tradi- tional numbers. After all, Christ- mas would be nothing without traditions, musical or otherwise. * X ¥ ¥ ’I‘HE announcements concerning the music programs for the churches were published in last night's Star. Elsewhere on this page today are given similar an- nouncements regarding the choral groups who are specializing in singing carols in many places in and about Washington, the club Christmas programs and the music for the community Christ- mas tree celebration. This latter event will be held in Sherman Square and the United States Marine Band will play tradi- tional music, while Dr. Harned’s National Capital Oratorio Chorus will sing the vocal selections and President Coolidge will light the national community tree. There only will be two profes- sional musical events during the current week. One is the fourth annual presentation of Bess Davis Schreiner’s music-drama pageant, “The Other Wise Man,” for which there have been many requests. In fact, so popular has this work proved that it not only seems to have become a real Washington “nstitution,” but also the original plans for two performances have had to be extended to three to accommodate all those who want to see it. This work, by the way, was written by a Washingtonian, with music arrangements, dancing and vocal solos all prepared b natives of this National Capital, and with the entire cast of the production made up of people of ‘Washington. The other event is the lg- pearance . this afternoon of the Oberlin College Glee Club at the First Congregational Church. This should prove especially interest- ing, as Oberlin is noted for its fine musical conservatory, out of which have come not a few prominent musicians and composers. The well known song writer John Prindle Scott is an Oberlin grad- uate. This glee club is said to be unusually well trained. John E. Wirkler is the director. * K Kk HAZEL ARTH, the charming young Washingtonian who brought home the “bacon,” con- sisting of first prize for a girl singer in the Atwater Kent na- tional audition finals, last Sunday night, has been literally the toast of the town ever since, and er return Thursday night was marked by a reception at the Union Station, in which many ad- mirers participated. It is very gratifying to find that personal comments coming from outside Washington, where audiences might have had keen interest training and live up to the repu- tation and promise of this splen- did “first appearance on any stage before a Nation-wide public.” * X X X THE Musical Fund Soclety of Philadelphia has issued invi- tations for the first performance of the prize-winning compositions in the Chamber Music Contest held by the society for next Sun- day afternoon, at 4 o’clock, at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. The concert is given through the cour- tesy of the Chamber Music Asso- ciation of Philadelphia, and is the fourth concert of its season. The works to be presented are Bela Bartok’s “Quartet for two violins, viola and violoncello in C sharp minor”; Alfredo Casella’s “Serenata for clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, violin and cello”; Carlo Jachino’s “Quartet in E minor for two violins, viola and cello,” and Waldo Warner's “Quintet for {)iano, two violins, viola and cel- b The musicians presenting the program will include M. Mischa- koff and D. Dubinsky, violins; S. Lifschey, viola; W. Van der Burg, cello; D. Bonade; clarinet; W. Guetter, bassoon; S. Cohen, trum- pet, and Harry Kaufmann, piano. The announcement states as follows regarding the contest: “In the Summer of 1926 the Musical Pund Society of Philadelphia, in order to stimulate interest in chamber music composition and with the idea of pos- sibly adding some valuable contribu- tions to the repertoire, offered $10,000 in prizes for three works in this form, the largest prize offer that had ever been made for musical composition. “Every effort was made to secure works by the leading composers of the world, and, in order that sufficient time might be given for the composition of the competing works, the com) were allowed nearly two years before the contest closed on December 31, 1927. When that time arrived, it was found that 643 compositions from virtually in the world had been submitted. “The work of examining the com- positions began at once. The soclety appointed as its judges Willlam Men- gelberg, conductor of the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra; Fritz Reiner, conductor of the Cinci nati Orchestra; Frederick Stock, con ductor of the Chicago Orchestra; Thad- deus Rich, former assistant conductor and concertmeister of the Philadelphia Orchestra; Samuel L. Laciar, music editor, the Public Ledger of Philadel- phia, and (ex-officio) Gilbert Raynolds Combs, president of the Musical Fund Society. “The judges completed their delibera- tions early in October of the present year and selected four compositions as the prize winners, dividing both first and second prizes. The divided first prize was awarded to Bela Bartok, the distinguished Hungarian modernist, for a string quartet in C sharp, and Alfredo Casella, the Italian composer, for a quintet in the form of a suite for clari- net, bassoon, trumpet, violin and violon- cello. The divided second prize was awarded to H. Waldo Warner, composer and viola player of the London String Quartet, for a quintet for piano and strings, and Carlo Jachino of Parma, Italy, for a string quartet in E minor.” Second Oldest Orchestra In World to Play Here A!l:l-'RICA may boast the second ition in New York Orchestra, dest the world—the Philhar- monic-Symphony vh}eh will play here Tuesday afternoon, January 8, at 4:30 o'clock at the Washington Auditorium. The Philharmonic-Symphony Soclety is antedated by only one extant orches- tra, the London Philharmonic, which was organized early in the nineteenth century. The organizers of the - Symphony Orchestra were New York musicians who felt the need of a per- manent symphony group. ~‘The society was founded April 2, 1842, and gave its first concert December 7 of the same year in the Apollo rooms on lower fn some of the other singers, ShOW | Broad: almost a universal unanimity of feeling that Miss Arth deserved this first prize from every point of view. She has a particularly beautiful voice, which shows ex- cellent training and wmp]ete per- severance and painstaking prac- tice. She also has such a lovable personality that all Washington was smiling and glad for her, per- sonally, as well as for the “home town,” when she won out in the finals. More power to her! * % ¥ X T was the writer’s pleasure to attend an unusual dinner about 10 day ago, when a}l 10 of the finalists of this audition were informally guests of “the national headquarters in Wash- ington. It was a lovely party in spite of its informality, with fancy jees and candy ribbon decorations and lots of laughter and chatting among the honor guests. To one meeting these honored young peo- ple the first impression was de- cidedly gratifying—and also_were succeeding impressions. Every one of these young Americans, gathered as they were from the four corners of the country and the great open spaces in between, known as the Middle West, was good-looking, alert and well man- nered. They were all at ease in the big hotel dining room, with the poise of the cosmopolite. Also, in talking with first one, and then another, one met with cour- teous, pleasing answering of ques- tions, but no egotism. Instead, there was the self-confidence born of preparedness. Several chaper- ons weére there for the girl con- testants, one teacher came, and the mother of the youngest con- testant of all, curly-headed little Patrick Henry Wilson of Texas, was present. It was interesting to meet Miss Cranston of Kansas City, Gladys Ball’s teacher, who also had been the teacher for Marion Talley. Then, last Sunday night, hear- ing these 10 sing on the radio, it was even more interesting to realize that the five boys, as a group, showed much harder work and more thorough preparation for their songs than the five girls, taken as a group. Miss Arth and Mr. Novis, the two first winners, as individuals, showed the most initiative, careful preparation and artistry combined with excellent natural voices. Now, of course, when it is all over and settled—at least as far as the contest is concerned—it is up to the 10 young finalists to go back home, roll up their sleeves, figuratively speaking, and prepare for the conservatory training they ‘have selected 1o gara on in s%k] uig %@% way. No Philharmonic concert has ever been canceled, and only two have been postponed in the 85 years of the so- clety’s history. One concert was shift- ed, owing to death of President Lincoln, and another was postponed when the conductor, Anton Seidl, died suddenly. In the early years of its existence the Philharmonic Soclety gave about six concerts annually, but this year more than 100 concerts are scheduled. In- cluding the Summer concerts at the Lewisohn Stadium in New York, the members of the orchestra participate in more than 150 concerts yearly, and the number is constantly increasing. Oberlin College Glee Club Presents Program Today BERLIN COLLEGE has been as- sociated with the finest in music, both in standards of teaching and in the results achieved individually by many noted musicians who are grad- uates of the excellent music conserva- tory connected with the college. The Oberlin College Glee Club is said to be a splendidly trained and well balanced chorus. John E. Wirkler is the director. ‘The club will sing & am at the vesper hour, 4:30 pm., y at the First Congregational Church when the only charge will be a free-will offering. ‘The club will present works by Ne- ander, Klein, Kremser, Svendsen, Faure and Trowbridge, with several folk songs and Christmas carols arranged by the composers, Zoltai, Thomas and Gruber. Two college songs will be presented and Benton Dales, jr., will sing as bass solo, gomrl‘s “Within This Sacred Dwell- 2. ‘The organ prelude - will feature two selections by Dubols and Bach and the postlude will be Bach’s “Prelude in C Minor.” These will be played by How- ard Thomas. Presents Two Recitals, Grace Hazard Wormelle, director of the Woodridge School of Music and Expression, presented the junior puplils in two recitals recently. ‘The first, at the studio in Wood- ridge, for Jack Wagner -Saum, pianist; the second, at the Blue Bird Hall, Mount Rainier, for Eleanor George, pi- anist, and Lulu George, in recitations and dances. Jack. Wagner - Saum --and = Eleanor George, besides solos, played for the dances, songs and musical recitations. ‘The pupils. who assisted gave an ex- hibition of technique and . transposi- Lulu George, 7 years old, gave three groups of character readings in costume, also a toe dance. The pupils who participated were Anna Brent, Helen Redmond, Doris Gamble, Virginia Manson, Dickie Open- shaw, Marion Phelps, Henrietta Liggett, Lucille McDowell, Bernard Higdon, Robert Higdon, Francis Shade, Dolly Murnan, Beulah Murnan, Audrey Phelps, Mary Stallings, Jean Carnahan, Jean Demeritt, Jean Hughs, Mariana Koenig, Virginia McDowell, Betty Bach- elder, Beverly Bachelder, Mary Louise Kamper, Adelaide Cos, Peggy. 5{’%‘ tion. CHARLOTTE - HARRIMAN - O o i emoon| - L NE Other Wise Man” Here Three Days This Week THI ‘Women’s City Club chorus will give the annual program of Christ- mas carols for the members of the club and their friends this afternoon at 4:30 o'clock. A speclal feature will be a melody from the twelfth century, which will be sung a cappella. The solo part will be sung by four children from the juvenile choir of Keller Memorial Lutheran Church as the chorus hums the accom- paniment. Virginia Belt, Catherine Donch, Kathleen Birstein, and Virginia ‘Wood are the children assisting on this program. Another feature will be a French carol that has been arranged for this chorus by the organizer and director, Gertrude Lyons. The program, including several tra- ditional carols, will be: “Silent Night, Holy Night,” German folk song; “Draw Nigh, Immanuel,” old French, words from XII century (Mazarabic Breviary) ; “The First Noel,” “Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming” (a cappella) (Praetorius); “Le Sommeil de I'Enfant Jesus” (a cappella) (F. A. Gevaert), 1828-1908 (arr. by Mrs. Lyons for women's voices), the solo part to be sung by Marjorie De La Mater; “Beautiful Savior” (Chris- tiansen) (four children to sing the solo part); Eleanor Baker Spencer will sing “The Virgin’s Lullaby,” from “Coming of the King” (Dudley Buck); Luther’s “Cradle Hymn” will be hummed a cappella by the chorus while the altos sing the melody; “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (Balfe) (arr. by Parks for two-part chorus); “Holy Night, Peaceful Night” (a. cappella) (Barn); “O Holy = Night” ); “While lsmm ‘Watched” (Handel), 1685- 59. Mary Izant Couch will play the plano accompaniments. Christmas Carols for Large Groups. T.I!I District of Columbia Federation of Music Clubs has made arrange. ments through their placement chair- man, Gertrude Lyons for Christmas carols at 23 institutions, homes and hospitals, 12 of which will have carols on_Christmas eve as follows: ‘The Elizabeth Somers Glee Club, Imogen Ireland director, will go to Children’s Hospital, Gallinger Hospital, Providence Hospital and Emergency Hospital, the bus used by this group is donated by the Red Star Line. ‘The Junior Choir of Keller Memorial Church, Gertrude Lyons director, will go to Casualty Hospital, Epiphany Church Home, George Wi Hos- pital and Homeopathic Hospital; the bus uséd by this group is donated by the Rotary Club. ‘The Mount Pleasant Congregational Church Choir, Norton M. Little direc- tor, will go to Walter Reed Hospital and the Tuberculosis Hospital; the bus used by this group is donated by the Capital Traction Co. Members of the Rho Beta Chapter of the Mu Phi Epsilon Sorority, Clara E. Wolfe in charge, together with mem- bers of the Esther Chapter Choir, O E. S, and several other volunteers will go to Mount Alto Hospital and the Home for the Blind; the bus used by this group is donated by the Washing- ton Railway & Electric Co. ‘Tuesday evening, last week, the Jun- jor Choir of Keller Memorial Church gave a program of carols at the Na- tional Lutheran Home for the Aged. Friday evening the Chaminade Glee Club, Esther Linkins director, assisted by Minnie Hock Smith, trombonist, gave a program of carols at the Gallinger Hospital. This afternoon the Madrigal Singers will give their program of carols at Walter Reed Hospital at 3 o'clock and at the Masonic and Eastern Star Home at 4:15 p.m., after which they will sing for shut-ins of Takoma Park, going to several private homes, and in some cases :lvlll sing in the open outside the win- lows. The Vermont Avenue Christian Church Choir, William E. Braithwaite director, will give a program of carols at_the Congregational Church Home. ‘The Allegro Music Club, Mrs. Joseph M. Stoddard director, will give a pro- gram of carols at Wardman Park Inn. ‘The Episcopal Diocesan Home, Home for Incurables, John Dickson . Home, Louise Home and Methodist Home have had programs of Christmas carols dur- ing the month of December. Second Performance of “The Creation” Today AYDN'S “Die Schoepfung” (“The Creation”) will be repeated by the Soclety of the Friends of Music in a non-subscrption performance at Town Hall this afternoon at 4 o'clock. Solo- ists again will be Editha Fieischer, George Meader and Richard Mayr, and Arthur Bodanzky will conduct the Met- Topolitain Opera Orchestra and the society’s chorus, which is trained by Walter Wohllebe. The house was zold out at the first performance. last Sunday. Repetition of “The Creation” is in line with the recent announcement of the society that it would begin ex- tending its program with the current season. The all-Bach program, includ- ing the *“Magnificat,” was given a second time, and there will be repeat performances of other programs on the R R | e il MUBIC plays & prominent part in Bess Davis Schreiner’s Christmas drama, “The Other Wise Man,” which is to be presented at Luther Place Me- morial Church, for the fourth succeed- ing year at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Incidental music is used throughout the episodes of Dr. Van Dyke's beautiful story of the life- search of Artaban, the Median, for the Christ Child, as presented by the Chapel Players of Washington. Katherine Riggs, who arranged the music for the first made a number of interesting changes for_this year, based on extensive study and research during the past Summer when she coached in London with the celebrated Russian harpist, Mme. Maria Korchinska, who makes a specialty of ancient harpsichord, clavichord and clevecin music, as well as of the ultra modern compositions for harp. Oriental numbers by promi posers, as well as traditional Hebrew melodies will form a large part of the setting, as pla; on the harp by Miss Riggs throughout the play and en- tractes. Marcel Tournier's “On the Temple’s Threshold,” will be one of the compositions used in the early part ent com- Conservatory Will Present Unusual Compolers‘ Series Tlu: Washington Conservatory of Music, Inc, of New Hampshire avenue has made plans for & serles of monthly concerts, each of which will feature one composer only. The January concert will consist of ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s works. Dvorak will be the composer whose works will be used in the February concert. Vladimir Vasa, head of the piano department of the Conservatory of Music, was taught the traditional treatment of Dvorak's works by his teacher, Prochazha, who was a pupil the | of Dvorak when the latter was director of the State Conservatory of Music of Prague. Hence the February concert should ss unusual interest to the general public interested in music. ‘The other composers will be an- nounced in succeeding months and will continue throughout the regular season and through the Summer terms at the conservatory. All music lovers are cordially invited to attend these concerts, even though they may not be performers themselves. The pi of the series is to incul- cate a love for the great composers through a more representative presen- tation of their works than is possible in a general recital of various compos- ers combined and where often the work given is popular because of ease of per- formance only. Early announcement of the January 1 | date will be given. —_————— Lisa Gardiner and Paul Tchernikoff presented an informal dance recital at their joint studio last night, when guests were invited for a performance beginning :30 o'clock. performance, has | M of the play, with Borodin’s “Reverie” and Chopin’s “Prelude in C Minor” like- wise will appear prominently in the musical background. Brittain's “Orien- tal Suite,” Stoughton’s “Persian Suite,” Frieberg's “Daybreak,” will be heard in the scene of the dwelling of Artaban, when the star sm)em. Later, at the time of the crucifixion, the music will assume a somber ngte, including the Passover music of the traditional Hebre! an anclent Polish choral, Grieg’s “Ase’s Death” and the Bene- dictus. from Gounod’s “St. Cecilia s Charlotte Harriman as the Hebrew mother, will sing her baby to sleeg to an anclent Hebrew lullaby, “O Sholf, Mein Feigele,” the interpretation of which is “Sleep, Little Bird of Mine.” Preceding the opening of “The Other Wise Man,” Margaret Lucile Stkes, organist of Luther Place Memorial Church, will play a brief organ recital of Christmas music, beginning at 8:10 p.m. The organ numbers will include “Fantasia” (Theodore Bubeck-Clarence Dickinson), rhapsody on old carol melodies (William Lester), “De Pro- fundis,” recitative, and “Prelude” (Homer N. Bartlett), and “Ave Maria" (Schubert). Graveure Makes Debut In America This Week LOUIS GRAVEURE will make his grand opera debut in this country next Thursday night when he. will sing the role of Don Jose in “Carmen” to be presented by the Philadelphia Grand Opera Co. at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. Eleanor Painter, who is Mrs. Graveure in private life, will sing the title role. . Louls Graveure achieved international fame as a concert.baritone, and is re- garded by many authorities as one of the finest interpretative -artists of our time. Last year he surprised the world of music by becoming a tenor.. . - In these roles of the Bizet opera Mr. Graveure and Miss Painter were ac- claimed by the press and public of Ger- many and other music centers of Europe last season, and their appear- ance here will be hailed by all lovers of artistic singing. ‘The Escamillo will be George Fleming Houston, whose fine voice and hand- some presence will combine to make the dashing toreador an outstanding figure of the performance. Another newcomer will be Patricia O'Connel, who has just been engaged by the Chicago Civic Opera Co. and who will appear as Micaela. Others in the cast will be the favorite bass of the company, Ivan Steschenko, who will be the Zuniga; Berta Levina, Charlotte Simons, Giuseppe La Puma, Rodolfo Poli and Alessandro Angeluccl. Catherine Littlefield, premiere danseuse; Philip Warrington, premier danseur; Bettina Schofield, Dorothy Littlefield and the corps de ballet will appear in two brilliant dance numbers. Dr. Artur Rodzinski will conduct and Alex D. Puglia will stage the production, Willlam C. Hammer is the ma InstrumentalistsEnterSeries of School Band Contests EW YORK.—Regulations for State and national school band contests to be held in 1929 under auspices of the committee on instrumental affairs of the Music Supervisors’ National Conference have been announced by the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music. Band concerts in both State and na- tional events will be open to five classes, instead of four as heretofore. The first four classes will consist of bands in high schools and other public and private in- stitions with (a) an enrollment of more than 600, (b) an enrollment of from 250 to 600, (c) enrollment of less than 250, (d) bands organized less than a year. The fifth class will be composed of bands in junior high and grammar schools. Only bands in classes a and b will be eligible generally to compete in the national contest which will be held in Denver, May 23-25, 1929. Bands from other classes may participate if they can play class a and b music. ‘The closing date for entries in State contests has been set for March 1, 1929. The committee will award prizes in second places in the first two classes in State contests will be eligible to compete in _the national contest. In the Year Book issued, containing information about the 1929 contests, the national and State contests of 1928 are reviewed. The committee co-oper- ated in 30 State contests, besides in those of the New England section and the national contest held in Joliet, IIl In the latter event 27 bands from 14 ERER S b ‘more than 500 bands in States as widely separated as New York and California. It is estimated that a total of at least '275.000 youthful musicians took part in |p hese State contests. The Joliet High School Band at the 1928 meet won the national trophy for the third time, thereby retaining it. The school band movement, the re- port states, had a remarkable growth since 1924 when the first State contests were held under the auspices, or with the co-operation of the commit- tee. The State contests culminated in the first national contest in 1926, when 13 bands from 10 States competed for the national trophy at Fostoria, Ohio. In 1927, 23 bands from 14 States parti- cipated at Council Bluffs, Towa. The Denver contest next year is expected to exceed last year's record both in the number of bands competing and degree of proficiency. The committee has as its ideal the development of the concert or symphony bands in schools and has as members of its advisory board some of the fore- most bandmasters in the country whose organizations are along this line. The purposes of the national contests, as stated by the committee are: To give the best school bands opportunity to meet and compare their musical abili- ties and to bring to the attention of the country the ~ development of - school class inds. That the teaching personnel of the schools is in sympathy with the move- ment_was shown by the action of the department of superintendence at the 1927 convention of the National Edu- catlon Association in recommending that music “be given everywhere equal consideration and support - with the —— KATHERINE RIGGs- MUSIG TH! passing of Agnes Qsgood Clifton, wife of the late Claude E. Clifton, last Friday, recalls to many Washing- tonians the soprano soloist of St. John's Episcopal Church in the 90s. Mrs. Clifton’s singing was an im- portant part of the services at that his- toric church upon the gathering of no- tables to witness the christening of the infant daughter of Charles C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy in the Cleveland administration, Mrs. Grover Cleveland, the First Lady, acting as godmother. Mrs. Clifton possessed a warm heart, radiant personality and a rare voice of | great beauty, carefully cultivated under that excellent local pedagogue, the late Dr. E. S. Kimbal, with whom she also acquired an extensive repertoire of the best vocal literature. She was a Wash- ington girl and grew up with other young musical people among whom were Carl and Edward Droop. The latter, known as “the prince of acocmpanists,” remained her favorite accompanist throughout her singing days. She was especially fond of singing with violin obbligato and upon the re- turn from Europe in the late 80s of Katharine McReynolds (later Mrs. Mar- tin A. Marrison), planist, bringing with her the German violinist, Fraeulein Fanny Koehle, the three young women were drawn together by the common bond of music, and gave a number of recitals together. One of the happiest of these occasions was a program given at the home of Mrs. Clifton’s brother- in-law, Willlam H. Holmes, the eminent artist, for the Water Color Soclety of Washington, of which Mr. Holmes was president. It was from this same resi- dence, after many years, that Agnes Osgood Clifton was destined to receive the last tributes of love and esteem from a host of devoted friends. Only a month ago Mrs. Clifton re- turned to Washington from a long visit spent with her daughter, wife of the fimsul, James Clarke Young, in Venice, aly. A musical entertainment will be given at 3 pm. today at the Christian and Blex‘;cn Ruppert Home on Good Hope road. ‘The following will take part: Charles ‘Thompson and F. Menk, tenors; Kathe A. Pozoska, contralto, assisted by Grace Stevens; Olga Krumke, alto, accompa- nied by Doris Schutz; Mrs. Donch, with Mr. Donch at the piano; Edweneta Yuletide Music Prepared In Junior and High Schools THE Christmastide music assemblies in the public schools have been in full swing for the past two weeks, di- rected by Dr. Edwin N. C. Barnes and Mrs. Lillian G. Brousseau, with Misses Edith B. Athey, Mary E. Garrett and S. Alleta Hannon as accompanists. ‘There have been assemblies at all the high and junior high schools and in about 65 grade schools, .the nour: ranging in size from 100 to 1,800 pupils. A feature has been the use of the song slide in the place of books and song sheets. This is a screen and the song slide assembly is a thing of joy to the pupil and teacher alike. ‘Another Yuletide joy to the junior high pupils has been the music-under- standing lectures of Mrs. Eveline New- comb Burgess on “The Great Christmas Music of the Nations.” These have been profusely illustrated with fine re- cordings of great choruses and sym- phonic offerings. . e e Gives "Ring"” in January. “PRESENTI'NG Richard Wagner’s ‘Ring_de Nibelungen,’ with the Bayreuth traditions attached to it, will make operatic history in this coun- try,” asserts George Blumenthal, gener- al manager of the German Grand Opera Co., who has just returned from Germany. The company will open its American tour in New York at the Manhattan Opera House January 14, and will ap- pear in this city late in January at Poli’s Theater. A partial list of leading artists se- lected from the foremost opera houses of Germany, who will appear here, follows: Mary Diercks, soprano, Madge- burg Opera; -Ottille Metzger-Latter- mann, contralto, Hamburg Opera; Willy Zilken, tenor, Leipzig Opera; Hans ‘Taenzler, tenor, Braunschweig Opera; Waldemar Henke, tenor, Berlin Opera; Walter _ Elschner, tenor, ' Hamburg Opera; Richard Gross, baritone, Bres- lau Opera; Werner Kius, baritone, Aachen Opera; Franz Egertiief?, baritone, Charlottenburg Operz; Guido Schuet- zendorf, basso, Bremen Opera; Karl Braun, basso, Berlin Opera. Negotiations for several additional leading artists are about to be com- pleted shortly, Mr. Blumenthal, while abroad, also has engaged Dr. Walter Rabl, one of the most authoritative Wagnerian conductors in Germany to- day, to conduct most of the perform- ances in New York and on tour. Dr. Rabl is general music director at the Magdeburg Opera and conducted the Wagnerian Festival, recently held in Barcelona, Spain. The artistic details of the dramatic and musical laws as originally laid down by Wagner himself for these music dramas will be brought to Amer- ica and in this way the operas will be a replica of what is always given at the Bayreuth Festsplelhaus. “Das Rhein- gold,” the prologue of The Ring,” will be given for the first time in America, without an intermission. The bookings embrace the following citles after the New York season: Philadelphia, Balti- more, Washington, Pittsburgh, Cleve- land, Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Denver and then to California. Band Orchestra Dates U. S. MARINE BAND ORCHESTRA. HE three programs planned for the current week by the United States Marine Band Orchestra, Capt. Taylor Branson, leader, and Arthur S. Wit- comb, second leader, will be given in the Marine Barracks auditorium to- morrow at 4 p.m., Wednesday at 8 p.m. and Friday at 3:30 pm. The usual standard of classics combined with a few more simple, popular numbers will maintaing ‘The soloist tomorrow afternoon will be Second Leader Arthur S. Witcomb, in a cornet solo, “Cantique de Noel,” by Adams. He also will give this solo Wednesday night, when Musician Wilbur D. Kieffer will play a vibraphone solo, and Soloists Witcomb, White, R. Clark, H. Clark, Hazes and Bennert will play the sextet from “Lucia di Lammer- moor.” Friday afternoon the unusual ;elnure will be Rubinstein’s suite, “Fera- oTs.” The U. 8. Marine Band, under Capt. Branson’s direction, will play at the Christmas Eve ceiebration tomorrow around the national community Christ- mas tree in Sherman square at 7:30 p.m. Typical music by Victor Herbert, Brooks, Haendel, Gounod and Chambers Wwill be presented. SOLDIERS’ HOME ORCHESTRA. 'The; orchestra-of the United States Soldiers’ Home Band will give the three customary programs, Tuesday, Thurs- day and Saturday, at 5:30 p.m., under the ‘direction of John S. M. Zimmer- ader; Anton Pointner, second ‘The Lm(nms will feature both al works and lighter types of :?rrll‘poslflon, and will be given in Stanley all. The Chaminade Glee Club, Esther Linkins, director, and Gertrude Wal- ters, accompanist, together with Helen Belt, violini will present a program of carols at a tea to be given at the afternoon from Zurhorst, soprano; Albert Roehrer, bar- itone, who will accompany himself on the zither, and Ehrenfried Eichel, who will play plano selections, Dr. Edwin N. C. Barnes, director of music in the Washington public schools and dean of education at Washington College of Music, has been invited by Dr. Jacob Kwalwasser, well known music measurement specialist and pro- fessor of music education at Syracuse University, to give a week of lectures at_the university Summer school. Robert Foreman, the dist author of “Books of Song,” who lec- tured here recently, probably will take Dr. Barnes’ work for that week a the Belfast, Me., session of - ington College of Music’s er School of Education, which opens for RAPHS and songs by Spohr, Stange, Brahms and Mendelssohn at the last meeting of the German Literary Soclety, De- cember 15. Mrs. Lawson was accompa- nied by Mrs. Paul Bleyden. Mrs. Law- son substituted for Anita V. Mueller, who was ill with the grip. Alice B. Harvey, pianist, played works by Brahms, Schumann and an encore by Chopin. Miss Mueller will be presented in her delayed program at the society’s meet- ing January 19, 1929, when Anita Schade will give some new melodramas ;lth plano parts played by Grete von ayer. The Peter Pan Troubadours will at- tend the United States Marine Band Orchestra concert Priday afternoon. ‘The group also will visit the unusually fine collection of antique pianos which Hugo Worch of this city donated to the National Museum. A piano recital was presented last Sunday afternoon by students of St. Gabriel's School, assisted by members of the choral class. ‘Those participating included Frances Neubeck, Mary Malloy, Olive Squeo, Mildred Lane, Betty Murphy, Betty Gu= bisch, Margaret Kloetzli, Joan Murphy, Doris Mayhew, Catherine Miller, Jack Victory, Ruth Preiler, Rita May Horan, Margaret Viehmann, Rosemary Maw- hinney, Rita Gallagher, Christina Gog- gins, Patricla Hartmann, Helen Barrett, Gertrude Nolan, Margaret Batchelder, Mary MacWilliams, Mary Lane, Cath- erine Judge and Margaret Barrett. Ray Hawling, song writer, has been "appointed recently by a music publish- ing house of New York City to write special numbers for them. Mr. Haw- ling’s studio is at 1221 O street north- west. Among his fox trots that are popular at present are “Louisiana,” “Under the Stars of Havana" and “Just & Dance Program of Long Ago.” Owing to a sudden attack of influ- enza, Robert Elwyn, announced as. the featured artist for last Monday's pro- gran in the Ten Event series being pre- sented at the chapel of the Georgetown Presbyterian Church, was obliged to cancel his date, and Donald McGill, New York baritone, appeared in his place. The audience was most respon- sive and of considerable size. Mr. McGill's voice proved rich in quality and with youthful vigor. He also possesses an unusually pleasing personality. The singer presented three songs by Fransz, and Hahn; folk songs arranged by Hu- bay, Hughes, Pisek and Guion, with lighter numbers in the final group by Head, Spross, Golowibz and Leoni. Mabel Duncan, well known violon- cellist here, who first made a reputation in Germany and Scotlaed, played the difficult sonata of Valentini, which is seldom attempted, and a delightful sec- ond group. She gave an encore by re- quest, “Le Cygne,” by Saint-Saens. Both Mrs. Radcliffe, who is in charge and Kat! Hill Lokt st of the chi who e singer’s accom de- serve much credit. 8T its third annual six weeks’ session, July 9, 1929, 1 ‘The Oberlin College Glee Club, John E. Wirkler, director, is to include Sil- ver Spring, Md., in its annual Christ- mas holiday tour. The itinerary ex- tends through six States, Sixteen con- certs will be given. Thirty men comprise the it club, which is in its forty-ninth year as a concert organization and has set a standard of musical excellence and wholesome amusement. ‘The program, promising to be & musical treat, offers an unusual num- ber of interesting compositions, with some of the most ambitious numbers attempted by male voices; vocal and in- strumental solos and costumed stunts. The local alumni are proud of the club which so worthily represents the alma mater. msha :ox_;c;m&t is u:h:dulcd for tomor- a . pm. in the Woodside Methodist Episcopal Church, on Georgia :fie‘;‘ufi extended, 1 mile beyond the Dis- ct line, Eva Whitford Lovette, mezzo soprano and pianist, has issued invitations for & Christmas party at her studlo, 1731 gfillmecucut avenue, Wednesday eve- g. There will be a program of carols and and choruses by the Lovette Choral Club and soloists will be presented. A buffet luncheon will be served. Assisting will be Mrs. Lula Wood Vol- land, president, and unembers of the board of governors of the Choral Club. Apropos of the recent local interest in American composition, it is worthy of note that the Inter-High School Fes- tival Chorus of 300, with one chorus unit in each high school, is preparing, under the direction of Dr. Edwin N. C. Barnes, Cadman’s new and dramatic cantata, “The Father of Waters,” for presentation at the school music festival April 19 and 20 at the new McKinley High School Auditorium, ‘Winifred MacGregor Michaelson, who is studying for her fourth consecutive year at the Juilliard Foundation, New York City, will be at her home in Washing- ton, at 2548 University place northwest, this week. Miss Michaelson returned here yester- day to spend the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Michael- son. She will play a group of solos on the program of the Friday Morning Music Club this week, when Miss Pearl ‘Waugh will :ll;‘l: & short talk and Emily Coville will The Woodlothian Chorus, William Starnell, director, and Raymond Rapp, accompanist, will give “The Star and the Song,” a newly published cantata, for their Christmas program tomorrow morning at 9:20 in the balcony at the ?.c street end of Woodward & Lothrop’s store. The music of this cantata was writ- ten by Fred B. Holden, with a libretto by Herman von Berge. The solo parts will be sung by Mrs. Anderson, soprano; Horatio Rench and Henry Leef, tenors; Howard Moore, baritone, and Charles Moore, basso. ‘The processional “Joy to the World" will be played by the Woodlothian Or- chestra. Elena de Sayn will present a special program this aftesnoon at her studio at 4:30, when a few invited guests will attend her party for the children in her group. The evolution of violin playing and of the violin itself will be the sub- ject. Children from 3!, years up will participate, using various sizes of vio- lins. Each performance will last about two minutes. Franceska Kaspar Lawson sang an aria from Rossini’s “Barber of Seville” ‘The courss on “Interpretations of New Forms of Old Aru.’rp;ehlch is be- ing by the American Associa- tion of University Women, will have its second lecture Friday at- I:l%y.m,, in . Al Anita Zahn, pupil of Isadora Duncan, will give a dance recital, assisted by Raymond Bauman, teacher and com- poser. ‘The program will feature composi- tions written by Bach, Corelli, Ravel, Bauman, De Bussy, Scriabine, Brahms and Gluck. Miss Zahn is one of the group of six girls who were adopted by Isadora Duncan. Her work is original and de- lightful, and her accompanist, who is her husband, has won much commen- dation for his work both as a per- former and a composer. ‘The Lovette Choral Club, under the direction of Eva Whitford Lovette, with Mary Scott as accom; it, gave & pro- gram of chorales, and solos at th‘: ‘Tuberculosis Hospital Wednesday evening. The soloists were Ethel Lynn Fast, Nellie Barber Brooks, na Stockton Gawler and Ella Mintz, with Hattie Noel reader. ‘The club presented two programs during the past week for the Hecht Co., the first being on radio station WI at 6 pm. Friday. The program over the air consisted of secular numbers only. Saturday morning at 9 o'clock the club sang Christmas carols at the store. ‘The Wi Y. M. C. A. concert at the Church last Sunday. The orchestra, consisting of 45 pleces, is under the leadership of Harry E. Chrisman, with A. P. GI , assistant director. Regular monthly concerts are given during the Winter season under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. Au- diences have numbered from 1,500 to 2,000. ‘The orchestra s a library, the value of which, it is claimed, is in excess of $3,000. Orchestra gave a sacred “Gamby" Directs Cabaret. €(IAMBY,” the famous Maria Gam= barelli, known to millions over the radio and to hundreds of thousands of patrons of Broadway stage shows, is directing in person the troupe of Gam- by-Hale girls in the cabaret scene of the all-talking film, “The Hole in the Wall,” at Paramount’s Long Island Studio. In a cabaret setting representing the most lavish type of night club the girls drawn from Boris Petrofl's “Blue Re- vue,” dance and pirouette before the camera. At one of the gay tables fring- ing the dance floor sit two of the prin- cipals in the story, Claudette Colbert and Edward G. Robinson, stage stars who have the roles of leading woman “The Hole in the Wall” is being directed by Robert Florey, French di- rector, under the supervision of Monta Bell. . Fay Wray in Railroad Story. ¢’T'HROUGH THE NIGHT,” a story of thundering locomotives, will be the next Fay Wray-Gary Cooper pic- ture. It will be a 100 per cent dialogue film and also will be the first railroad story ever filmed with audible and op- tical thrills of the humming rails. ‘The story is an original by Howard Estabrook. Preparations are now under way for special recording devices enabling Para- mount to photograph this thriller with full effects. STUDIOS OF SOPHOCLES T. PAPAS TEACHER OF Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar Hawaiian Guitar and Ukalele Personal Instruction COLUMBIA CLUBS. 1221 CONN. AVE. DECATUR 737- JAZ PIANO PLAYING Positively Taught Person iN 20" "LESSONS SAXOPHONE, BANJO UKE, Ete. FREE LESSONS If You Buy Instrument Orchestra Training Send for Booklet Christensen School of Popular Music W. 1278 ~BESSIE N, WILD Studio e “Voiu wm| WASHINGTON WALTER T.HOLT School of Mandolin, Guitar and Banjo. Hawaiian Guitar and Uhkalele Established 1894 Ensemble practice with the Nordies Clubs 1801 Columbia Road N.W., Col. 946 VIRGILIO VILLATICO CLARINET AND SAXOPHONE Studie 122¢ 158 Bt N.Wo Wash., D. Fhone' Frankiin” 2061~ 0 O Jeannette Lewis Doty