Bok Week

Ten years have passed since the Curtis Institute of Music opened its expensive wrought-iron doors in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. But the first Curtis commencement exercises were held last week. Scene was Casimir Hall, named for Casimir Hofmann, father of Pianist Josef Hofmann who directs the Institute for his great & good friend Mary Louise Curtis Bok. Curtis Publishing Co. gave Mrs. Bok her money and Mrs. Bok's money has given the Curtis Institute its proud reputation.* She hires the best instructors, takes only talented students, charges no tuition. Hence rare honor went with the 78 diplomas distributed among the graduates of the first ten years. Honorary Doctor of Music degrees, the Curtis's first, went to Hofmann's friend Leopold Godowsky and to Marcella Sembrich. The Curtis's plump, frizzy-haired little vocal professor sat on the platform and beamed when Director Hofmann reminded the audience that she was an accomplished pianist and violinist before she became the Metropolitan Opera's prize coloratura. The day Mrs. Bok proudly distributed diplomas her son Curtis was elected president of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, successor to the late Alexander Van Rensselaer. Young Curtis Bok is quiet, well-liked. And he shares with Conductor Leopold Stokowski a passion for all things Russian.

*When Curtis Publishing Co.'s dividends were high Mrs. Bok spent a good $500,000 per year on her musical institute, gave hard-pressed students a monthly stipend besides tuition, financed many a concert tour. The Curtis faculty has included such famed musicians as Conductor Leopold Stokowski. Pianists Wilhelm Bachaus and Moriz Rosenthal, the late great Leopold Auer.

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