Several Etude Clubs have been formed; some correspondence from secretaries is given here which is self-explanatory. Though it is late in the season to inaugurate a year’s series of meetings, it is by no means too late to institute a club and put it in excellent running order for another season; or, better still, for carrying out a line of study that will bring the termination into the summer; or, best of all, for taking up the lessons which form a part of this department every month.
Those who contemplate founding a Club will find in the letters that follow many hints and suggestions. Even a few pupils or others interested in music may profitably work together. It may as truly be said of music as of any department of thought that, when two or three are gathered together in its name, the richer spirit is there. That is wherein association with others is valuable beyond the inspiration of studying alone. The inspiration of the quiet hours of private study will be found to give a valuable, as well as a stimulating, atmosphere to the meetings.
The First Club.
Editor Children’s Page.
Dear Sir: I write to tell of the formation of my junior pupils into a Club for the further study of music which we organized January 25, 1902, with thirteen members. By a vote of those present the name of “Mozart” was chosen as the Club name, and a meeting arranged for every four weeks, on Saturday afternoons.
The officers are: President, Howard Scarff; Secretary and Treasurer, Maude Humbert.
The children range in age from seven to fourteen years. A committee was chosen at the first meeting to draft Constitution and By-Laws, which were adopted at the February meeting. A program committee was appointed with the teacher as chairman.
We sent for eighteen copies of the December, 1901, Etude (Mozart number), and provided each child with one, assigning different parts given about Mozart’s life and works to the children. The opening program proved very interesting and helpful, as each member told something about Mozart, and we had several of his compositions played, using those in
The Etude. We have adopted as a badge—a button—which has a very clear and beautiful likeness of Mozart’s face—which we are all very proud to wear.
At our last meeting (March 22d) we voted to join The Etude Children’s Club and follow the outline of study which the Children’s Page purposes to give. All are anxiously awaiting the April number; also certificate of membership. Very truly, L. H. T.
Formed March 1st.
Mr. Tapper: I have formed an “Etude Children’s Club” among my pupils, and we call ourselves the Mozart Club. We were organized March 1st, and meet the last Saturday of each month. There are twelve members, and all are under fourteen.
The officers are as follows: President, Helen Stackhouse; First Vice-President, Margaret Langstroth; Second Vice-President, Helen Warren; Secretary, Mary Giere; Treasurer, Deborah Reed.
Each member will own a copy of your “First Studies in Music Biography,” and we expect to follow the course of study laid out by you.—(Mrs.) A. M. S.
The following was formed March 10th:
To the Editor of the Children’s Page.
Dear Sir: My pupils, five in number, have formed a music Club, to be known as the “Cecilia,” and wish to follow the programs, etc., to be given in The Etude. The Club organized on March 10th, with the following officers: President, Elizabeth C. Henderson; Vice-President, Vivian L. Irwin; Secretary and Treasurer, Katherine Bartlett. The members are: Elizabeth C. Henderson, Vivian L. Irwin, Katherine Bartlett, Mabel Rivers, and Amy F. Towne.
I am to be “advisory committee.” We will meet once a month at least, on Mondays. On the first Monday of the month, if possible.
All winter my pupils have had monthly recitals, short sketches of the composers’ lives being read; but the ideas outlined in The Etude seem so attractive that we hope to realize more enthusiasm from following the programs given. With best wishes, L. C. H.
The following Club was formed March 13th:
Dear Sir: I am a subscriber to The Etude, and I have started a Club and wish you to send us a certificate. The date of formation was March 13, 1902.
There are eight members. The name of the club is the “Young Ladies’ Carol Club.” We shall meet every Wednesday night.
The names of our officers are: Elizabeth Hurlbut, Elsie Manchester, Jane Walsh, and Ida Adams. We are trying to make music our principal study. We are very much interested in The Etude and like the music which comes in it.—Elizabeth Hurlbut (President).
A certificate of membership in The Etude Club will be forwarded to every Club. It will record the name of the Club, its date of foundation, name of its President, of its Secretary, and of any other important officer.
A correspondent, who writes from a large city, says:
I note with interest that you have something of value in The Etude as to Children’s Clubs. We hope to get a large circulation of The Etude here.
I send you a notice of the club we have organized, and do not know if I understand the conditions under which we may enter your Children’s Page. But I hope you may favorably consider our application; so we may gain help and interest from your suggestions and be a Club of interested readers of The Etude every month.
The Club referred to was formed January 29th, with eighteen members, and more expected. The name is the Chopin Musical Club. It meets every Wednesday afternoon, from 4 to 5.30. Its officers are: President, Ernestine Chose; Secretary, Lela Chilton; Treasurer, Georgia Patten; Critic, Everett L. Pirkey.
Our purpose is to have the first Wednesday as Composer’s day, when we study the life and pieces of one or two composers; then give the children the opportunity to listen to selections from the works of these composers. This month we study Chopin, Mendelssohn, and Schumann. At other meetings we have blackboard work, on the scales, keys, and harmony. The children play selections from memory. The last Wednesday we give a recital, with printed program, and invite our friends. We will thank you for your help and suggestions.
The conditions of entrance are simple. Form your club, base your study-work on the lessons given on this page, expanding or lessening its suggestion at your pleasure. Send the Editor a notification of your Club organization, giving Club-name, date of founding, motto (if one be chosen), list of officers, and whatever other information you deem essential.
Certificates of membership will be ready to send this month.
Correspondence is frequently delayed a month. It takes many days to prepare copy, set type, and print a magazine like The Etude.
All queries arising from the lessons will be cheerfully answered.
