NBC transmitter (Oct-Dec 1944)

6 NBC Transmitter WHAM Commissions Three Noted Composers To Write Music Especially for Air Use ROCHESTER, N. Y. — Realizing that more new music should he made available for radio programs and radio’s obligation to support and encourage American composers, WHAM, the StrombergCarlson Company’s station here, has comm i ss i o n e d th ree outstanding American composers to write for radio. These three composers are residents of Rochester and members of the faculty of the Dr. Howard Hanson , renowned Lastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. Dr. H oward Hanson, Dr. Paul White and Bernard Rogers are the men commissioned. WHAM, in commissioning the three noted musicians, has specified the compositions he written for radio with that medium’s particular musical needs in mind. The works should he acceptable to any station orchestra of average size, of five to eight minutes’ duration, and of sufficient technical ease to he played with limited rehearsal time. It is expected the numbers will he ready for airing in the Spring of 1945 and will he played for public acceptance at that time. 'Hie three composers will experience new thrills in their efforts as none have written for radio alone before. Dr. Hanson is director of the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester at the present time and in the front rank of American composers, conductors and educators. He was horn 48 years ago in Wahoo, Nebraska. His first teaching position was at the College of the Pacific, San Jose, California, where he became dean of the Conservatory of Fine Arts. In 1921, he won the Prix de Rome, and while still in residence in Rome, was appointed director of the Eastman School of Music. A prolific composer, he has written four symphonies— the fourth winning the Pulitzer Prize— other orchestral works, choral, stage, chamber, piano and organ works, and the opera “Merry Mount,” produced by the Metropolitan Opera Company, in 1934. Well known for his championship of the American composer, especialh through the Eastman series of American composers’ concerts which he inaugurated 20 years ago. Dr. Hanson has done much to advance the interests of the American composer generally. He has held major offices in the National Association of Schools of Music and the MusicTeachers National Association, and is a member of the examining jury of the American Academy in Rome. Dr. Paul White, American conductor and composer, was horn in Bangor. Maine, where he began studying the violin at the age of 10. He was graduated iu 1918 from the New England Conservatory of Music, then he was engaged by Eugene Ysaye for the Cincinnati Orchestra, where he was first violinist, continuing study with Ysaye. He was on the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music from 1921 to 1923, coming to the Eastman School in 1928. He is associate conductor of the Civic Orchestra and the Eastman School Symphony and a member of the WHAM staff orchestra. Dr. White has composed a variety of works for orchestra, chorus and chamber music combinations, including a symphony, five violin and piano pieces and “Sea Chanty” for harp and orchestra. Bernard Rogers, member of the Eastman School faculty since 1929. was born in New York City, studied with Ernest Bloch, at the Institute of Musical Art, and with Frank Bridge and Nadia Boulanger, and spent several years in study in Europe. He taught in 1926 at the Hartt School of Music, Hartford. Connecticut. He won the Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship. the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Seligman Prize at the Institute of Musical Art. Also, he has written magazine articles and music reviews. Major orchestras have pla\ed several of his works, which include “The Invasion.” a composition commissioned by the League of Composers. BOOSTERS OF YOUNG A R Tt STS— Claude Sweeten (lejt), KFI musical director , and Alfred ff allenstein, conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, discuss new talent competition. (Story below). KFI and Los Angeles News loin in Young Artist Quest LOS ANGELES. — The assignment of working with young artists who have entered the Los Angeles Philharmonic Young Artists Competition — rehearsing and coaching them — has been given to Claude Sweeten, KFI musical director. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Young Artists Competition, is a yearly event jointly sponsored by the Southern California Symphony Association, Radio Station KFI and The Los Angeles Daily News. The contest is designed to display the talents of young artists under proper conditions and to afford them an opportunity to win a $500 War Bond and a solo appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Each week during the Winter season, two artists appear on a broadcast which is presented through the facilities of KFI on Wednesdays. These contestants are thoroughly rehearsed with the KFI orchestra by Maestro Sweeten. It is a tribute to Sweeten that each of the more than 30 programs already passed at the time of this writing has displayed the talents of the participating young artists to the very best results. In commenting on the competition, Alfred Wallenstein, permanent conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, said: "There are scores of young instrumentalists who were heard in truly credible performances, and I am sure that we are all happy that they were afforded this opportunity to display their talents. "Last vear this competition was an experiment in the promotion of good music, and the results were indeed gratifying.”