35
MUSICAL COURIER
May 3, 1923
Praise for Bowes Pupil
Gemma Casaretto, a young Los Angeles dramatic soprano who has been studying for the past two years with Charles Bowes of that city, made her first appearance as soloist witn the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at Pasadena, on March IS, and sang again with the orchestra at their first evening “pop” concert at Los Angeles, on March 21.
At the Los Angeles concert, Mme. Casaretto had five recalls after the first number and seven after the second. The Los Angeles Times, under the heading “Soloist Delights at Pop Concert,” wrote of her as follows: “The audience demonstrated its satisfaction with her excellent singing by a considerable number of recalls. Miss Casaretto possesses a soprano voice that is true in quality, and full and strong. She interpreted her numbers with accuracy, ,brilliance and ease. Her climaxes were big and there was no unpleasant straining to gain these effects. She probably made a more lasting impression on her audience than any resident songbird that has appeared with the orchestra recently.”
The Los Angeles Examiner said: “Mme. Casaretto has a dramatic soprano voice of excellent range and unusually good quality. She showed fine breath control, good phrasing and' a power of expression worthy of note. The singer well deserved the cordial greeting accorded her, and promises much in her future work.”
It hardly needs to be said that Mr. Bowes, who settled in Los Angeles three years ago after an extensive career as a voice teacher in Paris and New York, was thoroughly delighted with the success of his pupil.
GEMMA CASARETTO,
Los A ngeles dramatic soprano.
program of arias and solos, her American numbers being Kramer’s The Great Awakening, La Forge’s Sanctuary, Gertrude Ross’ Night in the Desert, Pearl Curran’s Ho, Mister Piper, Florence Golson’s Rest and Cadman’s Spring Song of the Robin Woman, from Shanewis. Allie Boone McCann was accompanist.
Friday Morning.
On Friday morning the Junior Clubs held their meeting under the direction of Mrs. W. S. Wilson, first vice-president of the State Federation. The ensuing business session was followed by a fifteen-minute community sing, directed by Mrs. W. C. Giles, second vice-president. The outstanding number was Alabama, poem by Julia Tutwiler and music by Edna Gockel Gussen (Birmingham) one of the State’s leading pianists and teachers. This composition was the winner in the Federation Prize Contest several seasons ago. The second luncheon by the three music clubs of the city was held at the Exchange Hotel on Friday. Mrs. Frank B. Neely sang the prize winning song Whenever the Skies Are Grey with the composer, Addie Anderson Wilson, at the piano. The delegates gave both a rousing ovation, requesting a repetition of the number. Eloise Cromwell (contralto) charmed her listeners with a group of songs with Mrs. James Haygood as accompanist. This was truly a festal day of Eloises, presenting Eloise Neely and Eloise Cromwell, two of Montgomery’s artist-singers who are great favorites. Mrs. James Haygood won great praise for her fine piano accompaniments during the Federation ; she is one of the best woman organists and accompanists in the State, always dependable and with a splendid personality.
New Officers.
The closing session was busy with the election of officers for the new year, resulting in the reelection of all the State officers with the exception of one who was unable to serve during the new year. The following officers will preside during the season of 1923-24: Emma McCarthy (president), Birmingham; Mrs. W. S. Wilson (first vice-president), Dothan; Mrs. W. C. Giles (second vice-president), Opelika; Mrs. J. C. Kyle (third vice-president), Anniston; Mrs. W. I. Grubb (treasurer), Birmingham; Mrs. Q. P. Siler (recording secretary), La Fayette; Maude Buck (corresponding secretary), Bessemer; Mrs. George A. Cryer (librarian), Anniston; Margaret Thomas (editor), Selma; Mrs. S. H. Bennett (auditor), Montgomery; Mrs. G. M. Lewis (parliamentarian), Dothan; Mrs. Charles MacDowell (historian), Eufaula; Mrs. E. F. Cauthen (American music), Auburn; Mrs. B. L. Noojin (artist bureau and (Continued on Page 64).
MacNevin
CONTRALTO
“Her voice is one of unusual beauty and volume.׳’—New York Herald.
“Her tone is of high quality, and she never fails in intonation.”—Toronto Daily Star.
Exclusive Management
R. E. JOHNSTON
1451 Broadway New York
Woman’s College, Montgomery; value $75.
Judson College, Marion; value $75.
University, Tuscaloosa; Mrs. H. N. Eddins’ Scholarship in voice; full tuition.
D’Agostino School of Music, Birmingham; full tuition.
Ferdinand Dunkley, Birmingham; scholarship in voice; full tuition.
C. Guy Smith, Montgomery; scholarship in voice; full tuition.
Bessie Leigh Eilenberg, Montgomery; scholarship in piano; full tuition.
Marie de Santy Riedel, Montgomery; scholarship in Voice;. full tuition.
Brenau College-Conservatory, Gainesville, Ga.; value $100.
Cox College-Conservatory, College Park, Ga.; value $66.
Cincinnati Conservatory, summer session;• full tuition.
Cincinnati Conservatory, Academic year, partial tuition.
Chicago Conservatory, tuition in full in voice or piano, or both.
American Conservatory of Music, Chicago; partial tuition:
Chicago Musical College; tuition in full (to winner in Chicago contest).
La Forge-Berumen Scholarship, N. Y.; piano and accompanying; tuition in full.
David Mannes School of Music, N. Y.; partial tuition.
Whitney Tew, N. Y.; scholarship in voice; full tuition.
American Institute of Applied Music, N. Y.; full tuition.
Lovette School of Music, Washington, D. C.; T. S. Lov-ette Scholarship (piano) full tuition.
Lovette School of Music, Washington, D. C.; Eva Lovette Scholarship in voice; full tuition.
Gift Scholarship, Mrs. Victor Hanson; to be placed in Alabama.
Dora Sternfeld, Montgomery; scholarship in piano; full tuition.
John Proctor Mills, Montgomery; voice scholarship, full tuition, value $400.
John Proctor Mills, Montgomery; voice scholarship, partial tuition, value $200.
John Proctor Mills, Montgomery; piano scholarship, full tuition, value $100.
John Proctor Mills, Montgomery; piano scholarship, partial tuition, value $50.
All scholarships are to be placed within this State to talent without means.
Late on Thursday afternoon a tea and reception was given by the faculty of the Fine Arts Department, at the Alabama Woman’s College, under the direction of Lily Byron Gill, dean of the college.
Concert by State Chorus.
In the evening the State Chorus, under C. Guy Smith, sang Florence Golson’s Night, a chorus for women’s voices. This was the first time the number has ever been sung publicly in her home State. It is very modern in construction, with a fine accompaniment. The chorus was indeed a great attraction of the convention and was beautifully sung. Mr. Smith is to be congratulated upon the work of the singers, and Mrs. James Haygood as accompanist was all that could be desired. Florence Golson Bateman was escorted to the stage by her personal friend, John Proctor Mills, and was presented by Mr. Smith. She received a wonderful demonstration from the large audience all of whom revere and love her for her great personal charm and wonderful talent. Hadley’s Princess of Ys was the second offering with incidental solos by Mrs. J. G. Reynolds, of Greenville, Ala. The work was splendidly given and received due applause. Edna Walgrove Wilson, con-traltrv.of .the._Woman!s ..College,- was., .presented in a . mixed
MONTGOMERY ENTERTAINS
STATE MUSIC FEDERATION
Alabama Contesting for Recognition as One of Leading Musical States—Lectures and Music Feature of Convention—State Composers Honored—
Unusual Scholarships Offered
Montgomery, Ala., April 24.—The seventh annual convention of the Alabama State Federation of Music Clubs was held in Montgomery, April 4-6, with 300 delegates in attendance, one of the largest crowds ever attending the convention. The opening session was held in the Baraca Room of the First Baptist Church, the convention being called to order by Emma McCarthy (Birmingham) president. Mayor William Gunter, Jr., extended greetings in behalf of the city; Marie Bandhead Owen, of the Department of Archives and History, extended greetings in behalf of the music clubs of the city (again making the appeal that the State Federation acquire biographies, original manuscripts and published works for the Department of Archives, calling attention to three of the State’s composers in the audience, Margaret Thomas, of Selma; Addie Anderson Wilson, of Dothan, and John Proctor Mills). Mrs. Oscar Hundley (Birmingham) made response on behalf of the Alabama State Federation. Von Feilitz’s Herb of Forgetfulness and Fay Foster’s One Golden Day were well interpreted and sung by Mrs. John Creagh (Selma), with Mrs. W. S. Harper, of Selma, as accompanist. Special announcements were made followed by a rehearsal of the State Chorus. A splendid reception was held at the University Club when all the State Officers were introduced to the delegates.
Schipa Gives First Evening Concert.
In the evening, Tito Schipa, tenor, was presented in compliment to the visiting musicians of the State. He was accorded one of the greatest receptions ever given in this city. He gave a well balanced program of Spanish, English, French and Italian numbers; chief among his arias from opera were: Des Grieux’s aria, from Manon; Donna e Mobile, from Rigoletto, and Una Furtiva Lagrima, from Elixir of Love. He is to be congratulated upon his expe_rt program building. Mr. Huarte was a sympathetic accompanist and his solo numbers included several original piano solos. The recital was given at the Municipal Auditorium and the season ticket holders of the Montgomery Concert Course helped to make up one of the largest audiences of the season.
Lecture by H. C. Davis Feature of Thursday Morning.
At nine o’clock Thursday morning, district meetings were held with district presidents presiding, followed by the general assembly. At this time the Federation Pin was presented to the club president bringing in the greatest number of clubs during the year. At one o’clock the Montgomery Clubs (Montgomery Music Club, Treble Clef Club and Le Club de Vingt Musiques) were joint hostesses to the delegates at a luncheon at the Exchange Hotel, being presided over by the State Federation President with Maude Lamb Brewer as toastmistress. Mrs. Brewer proved herself a clever afterdinner speaker as well as a brilliant woman. H. C. Davis; of New York, was presented, and gave a splendid talk on Public School Music, giving a fine exposition of its meaning. He told his hearers that “a piano and a piano teacher in the school does not mean Public School Music.” His talk on school credits showed how unjust the system could be worked in regard to teachers who were not possessors of a diploma from some well known college, _ yet were great teachers. He complimented the Federation for having in its midst one man (who was John Proctor Mills) telling them that they should federate the men and boys, making them an integral part in the music of the State. Mrs. B. L. Noojin, of Attalla, sang several numbers, among them MacDermid’s Sacrament. Her voice is a fine contralto and she played her own accompaniments, proving a great attraction.
Afternoon Devoted to Contest.
At 2:30 o’clock, the State Students’ Contest, held in the auditorium of the Sidney Lanier High School, engaged interest. The elimination contest was held in the forenoon, leaving five violin and five piano students in the contest; there being only one voice student who was not allowed to appear. Fine talent was displayed. Janice Fuquay, of Alexander City, a student at the Judson College, was winner in the piano contest, and Miss Williams, of Bessemer, won the violin prize. The prizes were twenty-five dollars each. A falling off in the song contest was noted, there being only thirteen entries, twenty less than last season. Addie Anderson Wilson, of Dothan, won the prize for the best song, her number being Whenever the Skies Are Grey, the text by Kate Downing Ghent, president of the Writers’ Club, of Dothan. Mrs. Wilson is president of the Dothan Harmony Club and second vice-president of the State Federation of Music. Mrs. T. L. Ward, of Selma, received honorable mention. The faults noted in compositions submitted this season were “a weakness in construction” and “a lack of continuity in harmony.” Most of the composers of this State are self-taught and deserve great credit for their efforts.
Statistics of Alabama Music Clubs.
The Dothan Junior Harmony Club won the Federation Pin for the largest number of worthwhile things accomplished during the season. There are sixty-five senior and forty-one junior clubs, making a total of 106 Federated Clubs with a membership of 2,927 seniors and 1,545 juniors, adding up to 4,472 members. The Federation donated twenty-five dollars to the Music Fund of American Musicians. There were thirteen new senior clubs and eighteen new junior clubs taken into the Federation during the season of 1922-23, showing the greatest increase of the seven years of its existence. Francis Macmillen, American violinist, has made a splendid offer for a percentage to be given to every club presenting him during next season.
Splendid List of Scholarships.
The Federation program this season shows the following scholarships offered for 1923-24 through the Federation, Mrs. W. L. Davids, of Troy, being in charge of this branch. The greatest number of scholarships ever given is listed:
A. T. I. and C. W., Montevallo; Mrs. Victor Hanson Scholarship, value $100.
Evelyn