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Show TRUTH. 12 CHRISTENSENS lent solo work. As a teacher of the STRING Christensen's String Quartette has been In existence for nearly ten years, with occasional changes In the personnel of the organization. It Is at present made up of the following named musicians: George K. Skelton, first violin; Alf Masterman, second violin; Chris Jespcrson, viola, and James I1. Olsen, violoncello. In its present'form the quartette is capable of playing the most classical music In an accomplished manner. It Is heard at all the fashionablo weddings and receptions in the city, and so popular has it become that no public function in polite society is completo without It. A brief mention of tho musical qualifications violin ho is making rapid progress toward achieving an unusual success, the number of his pupils having steadily increased. Alf Masterman, the second violinist in the quartette, is one of the most conscientious musicians in the city. His sincerity in the interpretation of music amounts to tho highest recommendation. In playing a score he never takes liberties with the text, which is th fault of so many musicians. He studies carefully the meaning of the composer, and when he arrives at a thorough comprehension of the piece, his fidelity is the admiration of ail those who are playing with him. Mr. Masterson has been with the Christensen orchestra for the past five James P. Olsen, the cellist In the quartette, plays many instruments and plays them well, although his favorite is the cello. He Is equally proficient on the trombone or string bass. He has a skillful familiarity with nearly all band and orchestra instruments that makes him a valuable acquisition to any musical organization. He is orchestra one of the best men in the city. While making no pretension as a composer, he has written a number of neat and catchy pieces of popular music. He also arranges musical scores and does it with marked ability. As a cellist he shows unusual talent, and has been a pioneer in making himself proficient as a performer on this instrument, which is most admired among musicians be- all-aroun- d greatest organs in the world, and to act as master musician in the largest church edifice of the kind on the American continent He immediately took up advanced thoughts in the line of his duty, and proposed to give organ recitals, so that all the world might come and listen. He advised the church authorities to rebuild and modernize the great organ which was done in May, 1901. The W. W. Kimball company, of Chicago performed the work, to the complete satisfaction of all critics and the tens fre-fcue- nt of thousands of tourists who attend the organ recitals during the summer season. To tell the whole story of Mr. McClellans musical education it is necessary to go back to the days when he CHRISTENSEN'S STRING QUARTETTE GEORGE E. SKELTON, First Violin. of its members will serve to introduce the quartetto to those who appreciate good music. George 13. Skelton, the first violinist, is a musician of splendid ability, his solo work attracting particular attention wherever it has been heard. Mr. Skelton is a graduate of Trinity College, London, winning the first prize in his class. His technique is considered remarkable for so young a violinist, and he plays with an intensity of feeling that promises well for future achievements. He has been In Salt Iako less than four years, but his dis- tinctive personality and genius have impressed themselves indelibly upon musical circles. His playing at the Presbyterian church has brought him many admirers. At the Knutsford hotel during the tourist season Mr. Skelton often leads the orchestra and receives repeated encores for his excel- - JAMES P. OLSEN, Violon Cello. years, and is assistant conductor. He played first violin in the Grand theater orchestra when the stock company was in vogue, and has always been rated as one of Salt Lakes most substantial musicians. As a teacher he would undoubtedly be successful, as ho has all the qualifications of an instructor. Chris. Jesperson, who plays viola in tho quartette, is a thorough musician in a broader sense than is conveyed by simply saying that he is a first-clas- s instrumentalist. His conception of music covers a wide range. He has a warm musical temperament, and his artistic ideals have an unusual beauty of expression. He plays several instruments with fine skill, including the viola, the French horn and the string bass In orchestra work. His French horn phrasing is among his highest accomplishments CHRIS JESPERSON, Viola. cause of its rarely beautiful tones. One of Mr. Olsens happiest qualities is his fair mindedness. The Christensen String Quartette is now contemplating a public rehearsal at the Congregational church, which will take place soon after Lent. At this rehearsal the quartette will be heard in a programme of choice selections. ALF MASTERMAN, Second Violin. coujvas the guiding spirit in a little ntry newspaper office at Payson, Utah. The music made by the clicking, of the type seemed a discordant rythxn, so he turned to quavers and semlikiquavers. They were more to his th of ing, and he became the pupil natlocal music teacher. It was but ural that the student should his musical surroundings, and in o he became the pupil of Albert W. professor j. j. McClellan. Platte, an eminent German master, at Saganaw, Michigan. After eighteen In his capacity as organist at the months of earnest work Mr. McCleUan Tabernacle, Professor J. J. McClellan went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where has won a wide and lasting fame. he entered the University School, 91 course Ffrst of all he has done this because of Music, taking a post graduate the excellence of his work. When under .Dr. Albert A. Stanley, the: this important position was given him mous and musician, and tne. organist by the church authorities in Septem- celebrated German pianist, Johan ber, 1900, he comprehended fully the Erich Schmaal. The second year oi , scope of his responsibilities. He had his piano was with the work-study beep called to preside at one of the renowsed master, Albert Jonas- |