THE WOMEN'S INSTITUTES AN]) "DESCANT" SINGING.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Your interest in all that makes for the betterment of our social life tempts me to bring to your notice the Annual Meeting of the National Federation of Women's Institutes which took place on May 20th and 21st in London at the Queen's Hall. The rapid growth of the movement, which started in this country in 1915 and now numbers 185,000 country women in 3,085 Women's Institutes, shows that it has met a real need and justifies the support given to it by the Board of Agriculture.
New developments in Institute work are frequent. One very interesting advance in music during the past year is the development of " Descant " singing. By accustoming village choirs to sing "-Descants " or second melodies written round a familiar tune (instead of the more stereotyped " part- song "), Institutes are coming very near to reviving the Madrigal singing for which Elizabethan England was famous. For the first time last year the National Federation of Women's Institutes, with the assistance of Sir Henry Lunn, organized an Institute visit to Switzerland. The scheme was so successful that this year it is hoped to arrange three tours of ten days each to different Swiss centres. The inchtsive cost of each tour is from £10 10s. to £12 12s., and in some cases Institutes are giving a tour as an Institute ,present to a fortunate member.—I am, Sir, &c., (Signed) TIrEREZA C. RITCHF.R.
(Chairman of the Berkshire -Federation of Women's Institutes).
[Lady Rucker speaks to converted ears. We have 'the greatest admiration for the work of the Women's Institutes, —En. Spectator.]
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