It is doubtless a great temptation to the American girl who possesses a
voice and good looks, who is a favorite socially, to neglect her studies
at times, for social gaiety. She is in such haste to make something of
herself, to get where she can earn a little with her voice; yet by
yielding to other calls she defeats the very purpose for which she is
striving by a lowered ideal of her art. Let us see how the artists and
teachers view this state of things. Lehmann says:
"The trouble with American girls is they are always in a hurry. They are
not content to sit down quietly and study till they have developed
themselves into something before they ever think of coming to Europe.
They think if they can only come over here and sing for an artist, that
fact alone will give them prestige in America. With us American girls
are too often looked upon as superficial because they come over here
quite unprepared. I say to them: Go home and study; there are plenty of
good teachers of voice and piano in your own land. Then, when you can
_sing_, come here if you wish."
Frieda Hempel speaks from close observation when she says: "Here in
America, girls do not realize the amount of labor and sacrifice
involved, or they might not be so eager to enter upon a musical career.
They are too much taken up with teas, parties, and social functions to
have sufficient time to devote to vocal study and to all that goes with
it. In order to study all the subjects required, the girl with a voice
must be willing to give most of her day to work. This means sacrificing
the social side, and being willing to throw herself heart and soul into
the business of adequately preparing herself for her career."