36 TH E ETUD E strengthening of the memorizing faculty, orchestral in-struments and their peculiar registers, and, if possible, some practice in score-reading. Is it strange that con-ductors of choral societies should grow gray, bald, or both before their time when one stops to think of the nervous chills that must race up and down their spinal columns lest some "distinguished soloist'' who learns everything by note—not an unusual thing, so it is said —go wrong on some cue, take too many liberties with time, or in some other of many possible ways spoil that perfect ensemble which is the dream of the true con-ductor ? Piano-players, especially those who play much alone, are also the terrors of conductors. Aspirants for fame as virtuosi want to play with orchestra accompani-ment without having had any more ensemble drill, per-haps, than a second piano accompaniment by a teacher. In the orchestra are men whose proficiency was attained only by hard and diligent labor. Our pianists and singers praise the work of a finished orchestra, but are loth to undergo the same thorough training. FROM letters received by the publisher of THE ETUDE the editor gathers the opinion that a number of people are interested in THE ETUDE principally because of the musical supplement. Then, others will read only certain parts of the paper ; others never look over the 44 pub-lisher's notes " ; and still others seem to read the paper in a somewhat perfunctory manner. But to reverse the picture, we are glad to say, on the other hand, that we have reason to believe that the majority of the patrons of THE ETUDE read not one page only, but all, and re-read more than a few of them. While the editor aims to use only articles which have something useful to say, and which say that something in a simple, direct manner, void of useless verbiage, it is also true that there is, in many cases, more " meat" in these simple articles than may appear at first glance. They will bear re-reading, and will repay earnest thought. Wagner says some-where, "Wha t is worth reading once, is worth reading again and again.'' Still one more class is present with us—those who think THE ETUDE a journal for music students and "coun-try teachers." We do most earnestly protest against such an off-hand assumption. THE ETUDE contains ideas of practical value to all musicians and music-lovers, no matter what their degree of culture and special training may be. How often do these " artist-teachers" mouth the favorite thought, " I learn the most from my dullest pupil." But the contributors to THE ETUDE are men and women far above those " dull-est pupils," and if the " artist teachers " just mentioned are sincere in the statement made, they should be willing to receive ideas no matter whether they come from Philadelphia, New York, Boston, or Pumpkin Hollow. We may go still further, and say that not one issue of this journal goes to the public but what it will contain at least one article by a writer whose rank and standing in the musical world is fully equal to that of any one who may read that number. THE ETUDE is meant to be worthy the support of every home in the United States, and if those who have it will read it carefully and thoughtfully a much greater inter-est will be aroused; an interest which is certain to react upon the quality of the articles in the journal, since those who have an interest in anything will themselves want to help along. TRAVELERS say that at Innspruck, in the Tyrol, there is a regular trade, the secret of which is most jealously guarded. It is painting on spiders' webs ! The latter are detached from plants early in the morning so care-fully that every gossamer thread is preserved unbroken. Several webs are placed over one another, and on this delicate fabric the artist lays the colors. What deft-ness, care, and patience are necessary ! It is well-nigh impossible to imagine anything more delicate than this, is it not ? And yet you who are teachers, who have in your care children of tender age, are engaged in a task far more difficult, are dealing with something far more delicate; a something immaterial, subtle, intangible, more fragile than the most gossamery of spiders' webs— a human soul. Emulate the care, the patience, the deft-ness of the painters of spiders' webs. Woman' s Wor k in flDustc. SOME considerable time has now elapsed since the first women's musical clubs were organized ; a time sufficient, it would seem, to have afforded opportunity to test the valuable elements in the movement. It is not the phil-osopher who begins great movements; it is the enthu-siast. But after the latter has set in motion the new activities, the former frequently comes along, calmly and coldly scrutinizes the results achieved, weighs every factor, and seeks to form a correct judgment of the vari-ous elements that made up the whole movement. He attempts to give a clear, dispassionate statement of the facts involved, the work done, the good accomplished, records failures, and seeks the reason for all these things. Now that the glow of enthusiasm has somewhat sub-sided, it is time that the older members—the sober-headed, clear thinking women who have directed the work so far—should set themselves to the task of study-ing their achievements and seek to learn what lessons they can. A community moves so slowly; a few people so quickly. When a new impulse is started, it takes tremendous enthusiasm to give to it force enough to withstand, and still more to overcome, the impact against the dead-weight of public impassivity. Here is the opportunity for the investigator. Seek out factors which are most practical, which former experience has demon-strated to have the power to appeal to the mass of the general public, and then put all energies to the exploita-tion of such factors. It is no doubt very pleasant for a member ol a club to have assigned to her the preparation of an article on "Chaminade," on " Mrs. Beach," on 14 Woman in Music," on the 44Modern Russian School," on 44 Clas-sical Music," or on 44 Wagner's Operas." One sets to work, in such a case, to gather needful material; reads up a number of books ; makes copious notes ; compiles, condenses, polishes; and the result—a more or less labored essay is the result. This is one phase. It may be that the member to whom a certain topic was assigned is a thoughtful, cultivated, well-educated woman, who is capable of going behind the facts of his-tory and evolving therefrom principles which have to-day a living force in our thoughts and actions; which to-day are as truly impelling ideas as at any time hith-erto. This is by far the better method of preparing a paper. The philosophy of history is far more fascinat-ing than a mere record of dates and events. But there is another field of work that clubs may well take up—not, of course, to the neglect of the literary side : that of seeking out those things, those opportuni-ties for work, which are specially adapted to women ; those things which women can do better than men. Let them try to be a help to their sisters. If they have reason to believe that the members of their sex are best adapted for work with children, why should they not practice what they may, perhaps, preach ? If they think a woman can satisfactorily per-form the duties of a church organist, why should they say, as members of some church, or, perhaps, as wives of vestrymen, "W e can get a woman cheaper than a man " ? Why, also, try to beat down the prices asked by a competent teacher simply because she is a woman ? One more thought is offered. When any public move-ment is being agitated, if it is one which a club can con-sistently support, by all means let the members ally themselves with the effort—not simply by resolution, as a club, but by active work as individuals. If a series of concerts is to be established, let the interest be prac-tical. If it be suggested that the local library will be of greater value to the musical portion of the community by the addition of works on music, why should not the club set about getting the books ? These are a few of the thoughts that come to one who surveys the work already done, and seeks to determine what other fields remain to be cultivated. Some one person or band of persons must be the center of any movement that is of real importance, and it is an obli-gation upon those who join themselves to such an organ-ized effort to do the best they can. Therefore we say, while devoting a reasonable time to the literary work, to self-culture, do not overlook those practical needs and opportunities which affect the well-being of the whole community. THE ETUDE acknowledges the receipt of the club book of the Ladies' Thursday Musicale, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. H. W. Gleason, President; Miss Nelle P. Hale, Secretary. The members are divided into three principalc lasses,—active, student, and associate,—the total membership being 538. The club has a "studio," which is at the disposal of members at all hours. In connection with the studio is a practice-room for the rehearsal of ensemble work. The library of the club in-cludes a large amount of music, vocal and instrumental, four- and eight-hand arrangements, opera scores, and a number of reference books of standard value. The lead-ing musical journals are kept on file. For the season of 1898-'99, the club took up the study of oratorio and can-tata by the representative composers of different coun-tries. The leading artists and lecturers on musical topics have appeared at the public meetings of the club. A CIRCUMSTANCE has come under the observation of the writer that suggests an opportunity for our women teachers of music. In one of the large cities of this country for several years a local organization of the music-teachers struggled along, with but indifferent suc-cess. The great number of the local professionals were apathetic, and in course of time the association was on the verge of breaking up. At this time the officers of the club were principally from among the male members. At this juncture a few earnest, whole-souled women took charge of the affairs, reorganized, elected officers from their own sex, invited their brethren to assist, and to day the association is on a good foundation and doing excellent work. No doubt, this instance can be paral-leled elsewhere. It is not amiss to suggest that the women teachers of the various communities reached by THE ETUDE con-sider the question of forming clubs, with the distinct purpose of helping to improve the work and general status of their profession and those of their sex who practice it. THE Women's String Orchestra of New York city, under the direction of Mr. Carl Y. Lachmund, holds a position that is practically unique. There is no reason why women should not play the violin and other stringed instruments—although we must confess it is something of a sacrifice to learn to play the big, unwieldy double-bass ; and if women play violins, why should they not go one step more and form an orchestra? The violin does certainly suit a woman very well, and several players of that sex have attained recognition as artists of the highest rank. Camilla Urso, at present the honorary president of the society, in speaking of the work that has been done by the organization, says that the success so far achieved "goes far to confirm my demand of years ago for woman's admission to orchestras as a means of liveli-hood, and on an equal footing with men." The orchestra numbers thirty-five members, and their work is confined to the higher classes of compositions for string orchestra. They have played in other cities than New York, and it is possible that the orchestra will make a concert tour near the close of the present musical season. AN outline program of the biennial meeting of the National Federation of Musical Clubs, to be held in St. Louis, May 3d to 6th, has been sent to THE ETUDE by Mrs. Chandler Starr. In addition to the regular routine busi-ness of reports of officers, there will be some delightful social features, an exhibition of amateur musical work, two concerts by the Kneisel Quartet, and one by a choral organization. At a recent meeting of the Board of Management, Mrs. Theodore Thomas was elected honorary president of the Federation. In her letter of acceptance Mrs. Thomas expressed her deep interest in the work of the Federation, and her pleasure in being connected with it in so honorable a capacity, and prom-ised her cooperation so far as her time will allow.
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