An Appointment

Sir Edward Elgar, composer of Pomp and Circumstance (as red-coated a British tune as Sousa's Stars and Stripes is true-blue American), has been created "Master of the King's Music," by special and personal appointment of H. M. King George. In this office he succeeds Sir Walter

Parratt, who died last month. In former times, this dignitary had to work to hold his job: he had to compose odes for the King's birthday and for New Year's Day. Henry Purcell, England's greatest old-time musician, had to do this while he held the post, from 1672 to 1682. But Sir Edward will merely have to attend H. M. on state occasions, wearing the proper and traditional robes, trappings and official insignia of his rank.

Elgar was born in 1857, knighted in 1904, received the Order of Merit in 1911 and the degree of Doctor of Music from Yale in 1905. He wrote a fine "Coronation Ode" on the occasion of the accession of Edward VII, and two huge oratorios, The Dream of Gerontius, after a poem by Cardinal Newman, and The Apostles. His symphonies and concertos are very popular with both English and U. S. conductors.