Name/Title
AU Harris, James Lowell - 1930-12-09 letter to Richard Lambert HarrisEntry/Object ID
1989.1.14Context
(Postmark DEC 10 1930 BALTIMORE, MD. 7)
Tuesday [9 December 1930]
Dear Dick:-
How is school going by now. I suppose you are in the midst of a general rush before the holidays. I heard from mother of your grades which are mighty fine considering the handicap you have had to work under.
I am conducting a choir of the Second Lutheran Church here and tonight I had my first rehearsal with them and I surely got a kick out of it. There are about 50 voices in the choir and we are working up some Christmas music. The job only lasts till Christmas but I am getting a lot of good experiences out of it and it will help me to locate permanently later on.
Last week I attended two big formal functions. The faculty of the Peabody entertained the students at a formal reception and dance and I had a nice little girl from Virginia. There were about 500 of us there and we all looked swell in our tuxes etc and the girls in evening clothes. The faculty put on a little program and I about passed out laughing when Mr. Bibb came out dressed up as a big fat prima donna & sang like one. It surely was crazy. Last Saturday night Meriam Best, (Lois McLeod's cousin) invited me to see the Johns Hopkins Players in the "Black Flamingo" and afterwards there was another very nice formal dance.
You would be interested in my conducting class at the Peabody. Franz Bornschein, the composer & conductor is my teacher & he is such a witty German fellow that he keeps us in laughter quite often. In class we each have a score of Schubert's unfinished & while a small orchestra from the class members plays it, he will call you up to conduct. We will work on Beethoven's Fifth Symphony next week. I'm crazy about conducting so I like it.
Well I guess you'll be glad to know that I'm coming home via Pennsylvania R.R. on the 20th or 21st. I've saved up enuf [sic] money the past month to pay my way and will have to come back to Baltimore on Jan 2 or 3rd., so perhaps we can all be together until then. They are giving me a vacation at the Y for 12 days. I wrote dad about it, but have kept it a secret to mother thus far. I will let you know later as to details when I will arrive.
Write me & let me know the latest & when your vacation is.
Your brother,
"Jimmie."
Tell Spessard I find that his choir psychology "works" fine.
