The Right of Womanhood

The Right of Womanhood

It is estimated by one of the prominent New York critics that there are half a million music students in the United States and that out of that number several will probably make wide success and perhaps one will arise to greatness. That seems a very small proportion. Yet all of the students do not look forward to major successes. Many of them study to become orchestra players and to gain a sound, well-paying profession. Of course, the number of people who study singing in this country is out of all proportion to sense. The American woman is possessed of a gnawing ambition to sing. She studies voice in great numbers and at vast expense. The eager intention to sing and the study of singing are praiseworthy enough--if the aspirant has any voice. In Italy, where singing is a most natural act for anyone and where music has been long established as one of the best professions, far fewer ladies study voice than here, because in Italy some show of vocal promise is regarded as a more or less necessary prelude to vocal study. Not so here. With our sublime optimism and idealism, we transcend mere physical limitations. The lofty aspiration is the thing.