The Baton: Vol. 4, No. 4 - January, 1925 - The Juilliard School

22 THE BATONMolly, of the inexhaustible questions, pouncedupon her. "You haven't said a word to me sinceyou came." Miss Soudant looked resigned to herfate."I first came into being at Collinsville, Connecticut,where my mother was a well knownsinger. My teachers were Mrs. Francis Smith,in Hartford, and Mme. Von Niessen-Stone, inEurope. I studied piano with Fraulein Gottschalk.After coming back to the United StatesI did a great deal of choir work and, oh—lotsof accompaniments. The Institute held attractionsfor me, too, and in the course of naturalevents, I received my diploma in piano, and inpost-graduate singing under Mrs. Toedt. LaterI taught voice at Smith College and in otherprivate schools. Child, I've told you enough—I must look over this lesson or I shall never beable to quell my young sight-singing enthusiasts.""I claim New Haven, Connecticut, as my birthplace,"said Richard Donovan. "I studied atYale University with David Stanley Smith andHoratio Parker. A Scherzo for Orchestra,played by the New Haven Symphony, broughtme the Steinert prize. One day I awoke firedwith the desire to study with Mr. Dethier, forthe name of Dethier is magic to a young organist.Hence, I sought him at the Institute. I enteredand discovered many reasons for remaining.Time passed and one year found me graduatedin organ, the next year in piano, under thegentle guidance of Miss Strauss, and still a fewmore years and Dr. Goetschius' Theory coursewas completed. Since then, anthems and oneservice of mine have been published."I have played in several New York churchesand was Assistant Organist at the Cathedral ofSt. John the Divine. My travels took me toParis, where I studied organ with Dupre andWidor and some composition with the latter.When I returned to America I was given chargeof the music at the Taft School in Watertown,Connecticut, and now I am Associate Professorof the subject at Smith College. George Wedgeis the one who brought me back to the Institute.We all come back! It can't lose us.""My first musical experience took place whenI was quite young," began Bassett Hough. "Itwas in Leesburg, Virginia, the town of my birth.I was required to pump the organ in the littlevillage church and listen for 'chords.' I wouldalso hold down the keys while the organ wasbeing tuned. About this time I read about JohnPowell, who was then a boy-prodigy, and whenI heard him play he influenced me greatly."My first serious study was in Richmond, Virginia,where I studied piano and organ. I thenwent to Berlin and studied piano with JosefLhevinne and Ernst Dohnanyi. I went to Londonfor further study, and finally came to NewYork to complete my pianistic work with RaphaelJoseffy. Composition I studied with Dr. Goetschius."In 1911 I was appointed organist and choirmaster of the American church in Berlin, whereI went to live. I returned to America in 1915,by way of Norway and Sweden, because of warconditions. Soon after arriving in New YorkI became director of music at the New York Institutefor the Blind, and also an instructor ofmusic at Columbia."It was through Mr. Robinson that I joinedthe faculty of the Institute of Musical Art. Hecalled upon me to take charge of his classeswhile he was in France."At the present time I am a teacher of musicat Columbia, director of music at the New YorkInstitute for the Blind, and also organist andchoir master at Glencove, Long Island."In 1924 my compositions, 'Magnificat' and'Nunc Dimittis,' were given by St. Bartholomew'schoir and the Columbia University choir. I havewritten a Chaconne in G Minor, which wasplayed by John Powell last year."My associates among musicians are chieflymy former teachers and colleagues. I have enjoyedthe close friendship and musical companionshipof John Powell for many years. An incidentof possible interest was the fact that duringthe first year of the World War I was inBerlin and was standing in front of the palacewhen the Kaiser stepped out on the balconyto make his famous speech concerning thedeclaration of war."ijC 3j4 3pEverything turned to ashes for Molly whenher father came in to announce that the landslideof the night before had been cleared, thespecial train had acquired a new engine, and itwas now time for them all to start back. Therewere farewells as each sleigh left. Some of theladies embraced her affectionately; some of thegentlemen said they'd like to, and before shecould realize it, they had gone. It was all over.VMolly, alone in the living room, was startledby a knock on the door. She had not heardthe sleigh approach. She opened the door andsaw a young lady on the threshold."Good evening! Mrs. Blanche Jacobs is here,I believe?""N-no," stammered Molly."Oh! Have I missed her? When did shego?" returned the other.Molly, hearing the click of the typewriter inthe next room, suddenly came to her senses. "Inthere," she said, indicating the door, "but shedoesn't wish to be disturbed.""It's all right. Tell her a friend is here," repliedthe newcomer with a smile."Why, Dorothy, what on earth brought you?"exclaimed Mrs. Jacobs, emerging from her room."Partly to get the story which the printercommands me to produce at once if The Batonis to be published this month, and partly for anotherreason, which you will hear soon," sheanswered.