“To designate the ten best American songs would almost be impossible, as we have so many interesting songs by good composers,” said Anna Case. “The following I have sung with great pleasure and success in my concerts:

“Here are ten songs which I sing constantly, and love to do, although I cannot get all my favorite American songs within the allowance,” said Florence Hinkle:

Olive Kline, the soprano, selects these as her ten favorites:

"The following are among my favorite American songs," declares Alma Gluck:

"Here is my list of songs American," wrote Alice Nielsen:

"The wording of your request for the ten songs by American composers which I ‘prefer to sing’ ought to make it very easy for one to comply, but the caption ‘Symposium’ sounds very argumentative and would seem to indicate a discussion of relative values rather than more personal preference in the performance of the songs," offers Mme. Corinne Rider-Kelsey. "Permit me to say that the following list is the answer to your question, and in no way implies that there are not many other American songs of equal or even greater merit":

"Allow me to say that I think the following are the best American songs," announces Mme. Ernestine Schurnann-Heink:

"I send you a list of the ten American· songs I prefer to sing," writes Christine Miller. "This, as you know, is a very difficult list to select, as I feel there are considerably more than ten such songs that I have great pleasure in singing and which I feel are worthy of serious consideration. However, I have selected the following:

"The question ‘Which are the best American Songs is difficult to answer," according to Eleanora de Cisneros. "To my mind, the American songs have improved 50 per cent in the last five years. There are now such a number of beautiful compositions that it is difficult to make a limited selection. Particularly is the superiority noticed in the exquisite poems and prose settings which appeal so much to the dramatic singer who would make a picture of every song. Some of the following list were sung by me for the first time there on my Australian concert tour and had great success, while the others have appealed equally to my other audiences. I am sorry to be limited to ten only."

"I am inclosing a list of songs that have given me the best success, but don’t quote me as saying they are the ten best songs. I can only judge from the response of an audience," says Merle Alcock.

"Here is the list of American songs · you asked for," observes Mary Jordan. "These are only some of my favorites, for I have many others I could name, but these are songs I have used on my different programs with much success."

The following is a list of ten songs by American composers hastily compiled by John McCormack. They represent the selections he likes to use on his program:

"Inclosed herewith you will find a list of the ten American songs which you asked for," writes Paul Althouse.

"Below is a list of the songs you asked for," writes Lambert Murphy. "They are the ten I should prefer to sing, although not necessarily, of course, the ones I should pick, had you asked for the ten ‘best’ American songs."

Dan Beddoe selects this list of ten songs as his favorites, although he adds that he could extend the list considerably:

Reed Miller presents this list as representing ten songs by American composers, which he prefers to sing.

"Following are ten songs that I’m very fond of, but as for the ten favorite American songs, I know after I have sent this list I shall think of several that should have gone in," says John Barnes Wells. "It is a difficult matter to say ten are far above the rest, for no two are exactly alike, except a few of my own songs. Were I candid with you and myself in naming my ten favorite American songs, I should use eight of my own songs and a couple of George Cohan’s, but my modesty forbids. Hence, I am sending these:

"These are not in the order of their merit or favoritism," adds Mr. Wells, on second thought, "but it’s just a bunch of good songs that I like to sing and audiences like to hear."

"I have omitted three of my favorite songs by American composers because of the foreign text; ‘Oben wo die Sterne Gliihen,’ by Edward MacDowell; ‘Schlupfwinkel,’ by Frank La Forge, and ‘Ultima Rosa,’ by H. Reginald Spier," explains Reinald Warrenrath, who presents this list:

"In reply to your question as to which songs by American composers I prefer to sing, I would say that it is rather difficult to choose among so many excellent compositions by our own musicians," writes David Bispham.

"I may, however, say that ‘Danny Deever, ‘by Walter Damrosch, should perhaps head the list. Then Sidney Homer comes next with his beautiful ‘Banjo Song,’ which is of a totally different character. His ‘Pauper’s Drive’ offers a splendid contrast, and is a noble song. The ‘Pirate Song,’ by Henry F. Gilbert, is another I can recommend for its great originality, and which is a particular favorite of mine. Some of Mrs. Freer ‘s songs, notably ‘When I am Dead, Dearest,’ is beautiful in its way, as is Harriet Ware’s ‘Boat Song.’ Then, of course, I might name Mr. Stock’s recently composed ‘Route Marchin,’ a splendid soldier-song.

"One of the most beautiful of modern examples of song writing is Louis Elbel’s ‘Calm Be Thy Sleep,’ and Cooke’s ‘An Exhortation’ is a great favorite of mine as a comedy piece and character study. Gena Branscomb’s ‘Sleep Then, Oh Sleep’ is another of my favorites and is often sung. That makes ten. There are lots more, but these are all fine for me."

"Following is a list of the ten American songs I prefer to sing," states Herbert Witherspoon.

"Your request for the names of ten songs by American composers which I ‘prefer to sing’ does not commit one to much," observes Claude Cunningham. "Yet, methinks the suggestion might have been a worthy addition to Mr. Whistler’s ‘Gentle Art of Making Enemies.’Nevertheless, I comply with pleasure. Here they are:

"If it be objected that Mr. Tirindelli is not an American*, you may substitute Carpenter’s ‘Dansons la gigue,’ adds Mr. Cunningham. "If the same objection be made to Dr. Rubner, you may place Victor Harris’ ‘Song of Omar Khayyam’ in the list, instead of Rubner’s ‘Sehnsucht.’"

"In regard to the American songs, the songs I prefer to sing may and may not be the best. However, I am inclosing a list of songs that I find the most effective,’’ writes Charles W. Clark.

"I enjoy singing many American songs," says Percy Hemus. Among my favorites are:

"I inclose list as you request," says Allen Hinckley. "Would like very much to include Spross and Woodman, but if you must have only ten, omit them.’’

"You ask me for a list of the ten songs by American composers that appeal to me most strongly. Here it is,’’ offers Francis Rogers:

"These ten songs are all winners—good texts, good music, and sure (when sung understandingly) of their effect," adds Mr. Rogers. "They can hold their own in the best company. All these ten composers, and other American composers, too, have written songs quite, or nearly, as good as those I have selected, but my ten I consider to be fairly representative of the best work done by American composers.’’

"Replying to your very interesting question, ‘Which arc the ten best American songs,’ let me say that I find it very difficult ·to answer, as there are so many beautiful and interesting songs which I consider in the ‘best’ class,’’ states Charles N. Granville.

"Complying with your request for ‘ten songs which I prefer to sing,’ I am sending herewith a list of songs which appeal to me in a poetical as well as musical sense, and in which the composer—through the music—seems to have created an atmosphere that truly and beautifully expresses the thought of the poem. That, to my way of thinking, is the aim of real musical expression in song. I do not mean to say, however, that there are not many other songs which are worthy to be classed as best.

"These are the songs which appeal to my voice, style and temperament and which my public has received favorably."

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Editor’s Note.—MUSICAL AMERICA’S definition of the word American, as applied to musicians, is anyone who resides in this country, whether native born or not, who is in sympathy with our ideals, customs and methods, and who has decided permanently to identify himself with our musical life.