Kilocycles

Many of the popular voices that are now featured on the concert stage, in opera, and over the air, sounded their first notes in the choir lofts of small town churches. One of the outstanding singers who started in a choir is Rosa Ponselle, now featured on Monday nights over the WABC network. Dick Powell is another popular name who began by singing hymns, and became a soloist in a church choir. James Melton was top tenor in his church choir and subsequently appeared with the University of Georgia Glee Club.

‘POET’S GOLD’ WITH MUSICAL BACKGROUND

David Ross, who not so long ago discovered fame when he won the diction award, will bring back his popular “Poet’s Gold” program, Sunday, May 13, at 7:45 p.m., over WABC and the Columbia network. Weaving a musical tapestry as background for the poetry readings by David Ross, the string ensemble under the direction of Emery Deutsch, will offer a number of classical selections. This is one program of readings which is worth staying home for.

$60,000 INSTRUMENTS FOR TRIO BROADCAST

A $40,000 Stradivarius violin and a $20,000 Guarnerius violincello, both from the famous Wurlitzer collection, will be played by the Compinsky Trio during their chamber music recital Sunday, May 13, at 1:30 p.m., over the WABC-Columbia network. The magnificent instruments will be heard in musical compositions contemporary with their manufacture, including Bach’s Concerto in C minor and Handel’s Sonata in G minor, both part of the Compinsky’s chronological survey of noted seventeenth century chamber music works.

TENNIS PLAYERS WATCH MAY 20

We trespass our sports writer’s column with the announcement of a series of lessons in tennis by Ellsworth Vines, Jr., famous tennis star, which is scheduled to start over the WEAF network at 10:30 a.m. on May 20.

Vines, rated by many as the greatest player in the world today, was national singles champion in 1931 and 1932 and was co-holder of the doubles title in 1932 with Keith Gledhill. He also represented the United States in Davis Cup competition. He deserted the amateur ranks last fall to join William T. Tilden’s troupe of professionals.

ALBERT SPALDING LAUNCHES PROTEGE

Joan Field (no relation of ours), attractive seventeen-year-old daughter of a New Jersey florist, has been chosen by Albert Spalding as a promising violin genius. America’s leading native violinist will help stage Miss Field’s debut on the air during one of his own Wednesday night broadcasts over the WABC network.

Spalding’s attention was first attracted to the young American girl’s talent when, at the age of seven, she played for him at his summer home near Long Branch. Her half-size four dollar fiddle and her brief training of less than a year did not provide ideal conditions for an audition, but the child displayed such natural ability that Spalding immediately took her under his wing. For the last ten years he has supervised her lessons both in this country and abroad, and has now pronounced her ready for her concert debut, which will take place in the fall.

PRESIDENT WILL ADDRESS CONGRESS JOINT SESSION

President Roosevelt’s address before a special joint session of Congress, convened in the House Chamber of the Capitol for services commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of the Marquis de Lafayette, will be broadcast over combined WEAF and WABC networks on Sunday, May 20.

In addition to the address by the President, a message from President Lebrun of France will be read by Ambassador Andre de Laboulaye. President Roosevelt will be introduced by Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia, and the Ambassador by Representative Mary T. Norton of New Jersey.

‘THE HEART OF NEW YORK’ COMMUNITY SHOWS

Radio Station WEVD has been presenting a series of community programs for Queens and Staten Island. Local talent is discovered by means of radio quests in neighborhood theatres, and these amateurs are given their first opportunity on the air in this series. The Long Island Daily Press has taken under its wing Jamaica Night “In the Heart of New York” and a rather different program is planned for Friday evening, May 18, at 8:30 p.m. A round table discussion by the President of the American Automobile Association, together with Magistrates Marvin and Bridges, is planned. It so happens that these judges have been responsible for most of the fines paid by traffic violators, and motorists will therefore be curious to hear their views on what’s wrong with traffic regulations.