University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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in junior orchestra and in small groups. They have given two concerts this year. One of the highlights of courses offered in the school of music was the master class in singing taught by Cameron McLean, noted baritone, during a six week’s session this season. The work of Julian de Gray in giving his public lecture-recitals has been a very strong factor in establishing a musical center in Miami. He has covered many of the Beethoven sonatas in his course and has given one evening to the ultra modern composers. Large audiences have been in attendance at each recital. The Symphony String Quartet and the Faculty Trio have this year given many public appearances and radio programs. The Faculty Trio is composed of W alter Grossman, cello: Albert T. Foster, violin; and Hannah Spiro Asher, piano; the quartet: Sol Xem-kovsky, Robert Kistler. Sol Zimberhoff and A. V. Czerny. As a climax to the past five years of success on the part of the School of music, they are going to co-operate with the other schools of the university and are offering many unusual features in the number of courses and concerts, recitals and a variety of entertainment for the public as well as students.

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Few men could have been found so well fitted by education and experience to develop a symphony orchestra group as has Mr. Volpe. Born in Russia, Mr. Volpe received his musical education at the Imperial Conservatory in Petrograd, where he came under the influence of the great masters, Tschaikowsky and Rubenstein. Coming to New York at an early age, he won instant success as a conductor. The next accomplishment, as to importance, of the University of Miami musical unit in its bid to make Miami a musical center, was the presentation of daily orchestra and band concerts in the City of Miami Bayfront Park, commencing in November and lasting into February of this year. During this time the University Concert Orchestra, under the direction of William Kopp, former assistant conductor of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Miami Concert Band, conducted by Walter Shaffer, put on daily concerts and fora time twice daily. With the University Singers, composed of Helen Flanagan, Sara Requa, Percy Long, and Robert Topping, stage presentation, solo numbers, and excerpts from operas were given in the park. One of the distinguishing features of these concerts was that the conductors selected only pieces approved by sound musical taste. The opening of new quarters for the downtown branch of the conservatory was an important step taken by the music department this year. The former Miramar School occupying an entire block on N.E. 2nd Avene between 14th and 15th Streets is now the preparatory school of the conservatory. Its large grounds and spacious patios make a delightful setting for the numerous studios where every branch of music and dancing is taught. An unusual feature of the downtown headquarters of the conservatory which is so accessible to all parts of Miami and Miami Beach, is the Recital Hall seating about 230 people. This hall which meets a need was made possible through the generosity of a friend of the music department. Another fine gift for the conservatory was a Bechstein grand piano. The Junior Symphony orchestra, under Walter Grossman’s direction, has been making splendid progress. Young musicians are given actual experience in ensemble playing both

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THE UNIVERSITY ON THE A1JH “AND WITH THE STRAINS OF “THE SPIRIT OF MIAMI u” we bring to a close another program originating in the studio in the University Building in Coral Gables. The University bids you adios, hasta manana! ” This was the closing signature of the University Hour, a regular weekday feature of station WIOD, Miami, since the opening of the remote control studio November twenty-fourth. The programs were under the direction of Franklin I). Harris, actual broadcasting in the studio was supervised by Don Henshaw, instructor in Public Speaking. Evelyn Plagman Jones, student of the University Conservatory of Music, was selected as studio pianist, and Gilbert Brom-aghim was given the post of student announcer. These programs were a part of the work of the Extension Department of the University. Realizing the growing importance of the educational service possible through the medium of radio, the department decided to place an educational program on the air. Through the co-operation of the staff and officials of WIOD. room 284 was equipped as a studio. Walls were padded with sound-proofing material, acoustics were tested, microphones and panel installed, direct wires laid to the main studio, and on the morning of November twenty-fourth Dr. B. F. Ashe dedicated the new department. Feature broadcasts included a series of Music Appreciation Lectures by May Brigel, Florida botany and zoology presented by Dr. A. H. Gilbert and Professor E. M. Miller, Florida history as compiled by Professor K. R. Close, and a series of piano lecture-recitals on modern music and composers by Julian de Gray. Regular classes in aviation, public speaking and English were broadcast, students carrying the most of the presentation. In addition to the regular educational lectures and programs, a series of travelogues were given by students. In these, the student was interviewed by the announcer, the outline of the questioning following the journey and its highlights. The Music Department provided talent for musical programs and features. Robert Topping, Sara Requa, Robert Bostwick and Helen Flanagan gave vocal recitals, the Conservatory Trio and students gave instrumental selections. Rho Beta Omicron, public speaking fraternity, presented a weekly hour over WQAM. The speakers were all students of the University, and preference was given to public speaking students. As a special feature, these programs were audited by professors of various colleges, who sent in criticisms of the various speakers. There was at least one sketch of the life of a famous orator or speaker on each hour, and an interest ing feature was a dialogue on Campus Chatter of the week. An indication of the popularity of this broadcast was that it was given one of the best hours of the evening. Fan mail was heavy and generous in compliments for the students. A broadcasting team, under the direction of Don Henshaw, gave play-by-play accounts of all home football games. The games were at night, so there was no interference with national hook-ups. and the added receptive qualities of night programs made these games the biggest advertising feature for the University. Letters acknowledging reception of these broadcasts were received from all over the sourh, east and middle west.