October 31 - Ethel Waters; Philippe de Vitry (The Musical Birthday Series)

Ethel Waters (31 October 1896 – 1 September 1977) was a singer and actor. She was among the first African-Americans to be recognized with mainstream awards.

Turnabout

Ethel Waters, all the rage

On the thirties Broadway stage,

Was, in later decades seen

On your local movie screen.

Lastly, left that worldly sham

To do Crusades with Billy Graham.

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪   

Philippe de Vitry (31 October 1291 – 9 June 1361) was a composer, music theorist, and churchman.

Contra Ars nova 

When a book gives its name to an Age,

You’d hope that each spell-binding page

Would lead to the next

With a less vexing text,

And at least an attempt to engage.

Pro Ars nova

If you fluently read mensuration,

And understand time and prolation,

De Vitry’s Ars nova,

(With help from Jehovah!)

Was your guide to your strange avocation.

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