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in America since the death of her husband. La Cross people greeted Miss Peterson with joy. Technically her work has always been a delight—she has always had a quick sympathy and a clear-minded understanding of the purpose of the composer, and now she seems to have grown spiritually and emotionally. The Brahms rhapsody in E flat major proved it. Brahms is always peculiarly congenial to Miss Peterson, and to the rhapsody she gave a tonal richness and a spiritual depth which was indeed satisfying. Her Chopin group was pleasing, the audience taking particular recognition of the ballade in A flat major. It seems usual to speak of the splendid masculinity of the resonant tone of a really good pianist. Miss Peterson has it, but she also has a feminine quality which is even more admirable, that is, an exquisite daintiness, purity of enunciation, and a care of detail. She included in her final group three new compositions, one a charming “Valse Capricieuse” by Edward Collins, dedicated to herself, and another, a pretty tone poem, “A Summer Night,” by Rudolph Kvelve, of this city, the third being ־‘Det Sner Og Det Sner” (“It Is Snowing and Snowing”), by Hurum, a young Norwegian composer, m whose work Miss Peterson became so interested during the past summer in Norway that she plans to introduce this and several others of his compositions to American audiences. To this amazing bit of musical realism and to the artist’s interpretation of it went the audience’s tribute of prolonged applause. The program concluded with the Pag-anini-Liszt etude, six variations in a minor. In spite of the severe cold from which Mr. Granville was suffering he was extremely popular with the audience. His excellent voice and his rather exceptional instinct for dramatic interpretation won him a place here.
The Christmas season was marked by a considerable number of appropriate programs. Of primary interest was the nativity play, "The Coming of the Prince of Peace,” presented by the students of the high school. Besides the classes which enacted the little drama, Miss Trane, who directed the music, used the two glee clubs of the school and the two great choruses, which sang from the balcony of the auditorium. So successful and impressive was this presentation that it is hoped this will be made a community event next■ Christmas' season.
The Franklin School subsituted a public program by the entire school for its usual series of Christmas programs. Seventy children, under the direction of Floyde Johnson, presented an operetta at the Riviera Theater.
The older children of the Congregational Church School gave a nativity play on Christmas afternoon and were assisted by the choir, which, under Mrs. Whelpley’s leadership, gave some beautiful special music. On Christmas night the choir of the First Presbyterian Church gave a cantata and carol service. On Monday evening, December 26, the choirs of the city invaded the moving picture theaters and sang carols. Immediately after, they united and marched up Main street, singing as they went, proceeding finally to the Guild rooms of Christ Church, where they had refresh-lii׳ nts and another “sing.” This event was the first step
was repeatedly called back until he was prevailed upon to play one more number.
The next concert in the Choral Union series will be given by Jascha Heifetz, who comes to Kalamazoo for the second time.
Frances Leavens was in charge of the January program of the Kalamazoo Musical Society, presented January 9 in the Hotel Burdick ballroom. Grieg’s sonata in F was the opening number, delightfully played by Mrs. E. H. Hacking, violinist, and Mrs. H. J. Mowry, pianist. The Senior Girls’ quartet of the Western State Normal, one of the city's , most popular group of young singers, sang “Señorita,” by Dessauer-Housely, a most enjoyable number. Louvella Schroeder, June Corbin. Dora Wright and Ruth Nichols are the members of the quartet, and Claribelle Weimer is the pianist. The art of these girls is favorably known locally, and their singing is in demand at various concerts and social functions. Henry Overly, a talented pianist of the city, played two enjoyable numbers. Percy Grainger’s "Sentimentals-Colonial Song. No. 1” was played by Frances Leavens (pianist). Mrs. Hacking (violinist) and Lloyd Loar (violist), with voice parts taken by Bertha Shean’ Davis and Otto Dietrich. Marvel Liddv, formerly on the music faculty of the Western State Normal College, sang "Amour, Viens Aida” from "Samson and Delilah.” Miss Liddy has been successful in concert and her appearance in the city was of much interest. Mrs. C. V. Buttelman. pianist, played the accompaniment with her usual ability. The Grieg concerto in A minor was played by Victoria McLaughlin and Mrs. Frederick Royce.
January 22 the second concert of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra was given in the Masonic Temple. Assisting was Lillian Knowles, a young contralto, of unusual talent. The orchestra is making splendid progress under the direction of C. Z. Bronson, and the support given by local musicians is enthusiastic. A large audience attended.
The second annual music memory contest, following the success of last year’s efforts, has been inaugurated by the committees responsible for the contest. The list of compositions to be used has been announced, and some of them were played by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra at the concert of January 22. Twenty-five representative compositions have been selected, five to be studied each week for five weeks. At the end of this period a final concert will be given and prizes in money will be awarded to the winners. Great interest is manifested in the contest, and a remarkable degree of cooperation is shown on the part of local artists, teachers, public schools, churches and music dealers, all of whom are eager to do their part to make the contest of the greatest possible educational value, particularly to the youths of the city.
La Crosse, Wis., January 8, 1922.—׳The return of Edna Gunnar Peterson, pianist, to the concert stage, attracted more attention among musical people of this city than has any other recent musical event. This appearance with Charles Norman Granville, baritone, in the Music Study Club concert series, is the first time she has played in public
February 9, 1922
their violin pupils in recital December 22, at the Southwestern Studios of Musical Art. The Boys and Girls glee clubs of the Fort Smith High School and' 900 junior high school pupils rendered a beautiful program of Christmas music at the First Methodist Episcopal Church, December 21.
The members of the glee clubs of the Fort Smith High School have received and accepted a challenge from the Little Rock High School glee clubs. The local girls’ club has been working hard all winter but the boys have just recently reorganized and elected Clib Barton, president; Herman Dove, vice-president; Lee Wilhite, secretary; Joe Haines, treasurer; William Rogers, manager, and Edwin Thompson, Jack Kendall and Hayden Anderson sergeants-at-arms.
Fort Wayne, Ind., January 10, 1922.—The second of the concert series booked by the Morning Musical Society this season was given in the Palace Theater on December 14. by Pavlowa and her company of Russian dancers, augmented by a symphony orchestra. Pavlowa is grace itself, and her art is ever improving. The Fairy Doll Ballet was one of the most enjoyable portions of the program. Hilda Butsova and M. Pianowski were among those who gave excellent support. The bizarre splash of color in costumes and scenery of the Russian dance, with which the entertainment closed, was relished as an impressionist bit in contrast to the daintier drawings of the era preceding Cubism.
Special music was given in many of the local churches on Christmas. Two church choirs gave the same cantata, “The Manger Prince,” the one at Crescent Evangelical being under the direction of the organist, Eliza Hanna Elliott. Trinity M. E. Church presented the cantata under the direction of Stella Nill, organist. School children of the city to the number of about five hundred sang Christmas carols in the rotunda of the court house on the afternoon of the 24th, under the direction of Prof. William Miles. On December 18 a beautiful antiphonal service was. given at Christ Evangelical Church, under the direction of •Elizabeth Walts. The choir of Salem Reformed Church gave the cantata, “While Shepherds Watched,” on December 24.
Beginning with the fall term, 1922, the study of music in the local high school is given full credit. Heretofore only one-half of one credit has been allowed for the study of the high school music course, because of the fact that few colleges recognized music credits for entrance into the institutions. Nearly all colleges in the country are now, however, allowing full credit for the study of music.
A male chorus selected from the membership of the Young Men’s Christian Association is to be one of the activities of this popular institution this winter.
The Fort Wayne Community Chorus, under direction of Larry Ballou, has been doing a good work by presenting groups of local singers and other artists before the patients at local hospitals.
Galesburg, 111., January 25, 1922.—“The Messiah” was presented January 19 under the auspices of the Musicians’ Club of Galesburg. William F. Bentley directed with precision. The choristers sang with fine attack and unity of spirit, showing that they were well versed in the score. The solos were done by various members of the Musicians’ Club and while all seemed to have been chosen with great care and thought for their particular numbers, mention should be made of Loretta Steele’s rendition of “Rejoice Greatly.” Mrs. E. R. Kennedy is to be particularly commended for the ease and effectiveness with which she sang “Come Unto Him.” Gertrude Main is a singer of fine attainments, and the dignity with which she sang “He Was Despised,” made a profound impression on her hearers. Everette Hinchliff, always a dependable oratorio singer, gave a fine rendition of “Every Valley Shall be Exalted.” Herman Larson’s colorful singing of “Why Do the Nations Rage,” was one of the best features of the evening. Clarence B. Johnson sang “The Trumpet Shall Sound” with spirit and understanding, marking him as an oratorio singer of attainments.
Harrisburg, Pa., January 25, 1922.—The St. Olaf Lutheran Choir, F. Melius Christiansen, director, appeared in a concert of sacred song at the Orpheum Theater on January 24. A capacity audience listened to the finest and most inspirational church singing ever heard here. The opening number, “The Spirit Also Helpeth Us” (Bach), sung with freshness, vigor and fervor, fulfilled every expectation. The precision, pitch, nuance, intonation and rythmical feeling were perfect. The second number “O Sacred Head” (Hassler, 1613), was inspiring. Here is untarnished youth with the spirit of God in their singing, and herein lies the great secret of their impressive success. They will tone up any community that hears them. Every number on the program was exquisitely sung. Singing of the highest order, the feeling of assurance and sincerity was prevalent at all times.
Joliet, 111., January 22, 1922.—On January 12 Mrs. E.
R. Lewis gave an analysis of the opera “Aida,” in the Smith room of the Public Libray, for the music department of the Women’s Club. To illustrate Mrs. Lewis used Victor .records, and played from the score upon the piano.
On January 22 the Clara Bartow Guild of St. John's Universalist Church sponsored a concert given by thirty-five local players, called the Joliet Symphony Orchestra. Standard selections were used. Ruth Reid, violinist in the orchestra, played “Scene de Ballet,” by de Beriot, and Mrs. Fletcher-Ransom, soprano, sang Musetta’s waltz song from “La Boheme.” To W. Konrad, a player in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, is due credit for his effort in attempting to train amateur players and to raise the standard of music in Joliet.
Kalamazoo, Mich., January 23, 1922. — Leopold Go-dowsky played at the third concert given under the auspices of the Kalamazoo Choral Union, January 18. He made up his program with careful attention to variety and the value of contrasts. Beginning with twelve symphonic studies by Schumann, he played them as beautiful tone pictures. The second group was composed of numbers by Rameau, Corelli and Loeilly, arranged by the pianist. The outstanding composition of the entire program was Chopin’s sonata in B flat minor. Godowsky’s interpretation was sympathetic and poetic throughout. This was followed by Chopin’s berceuse and scherzo in B minor. As an encore he played the well known waltz in C sharp minor. The concluding-group was received with true appreciation, and the artist
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