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Good articleAda Baker has been listed as one of the Music good articles under the good article criteria. If you can improve it further, please do so. If it no longer meets these criteria, you can reassess it.
Did You KnowOn this day... Article milestones
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November 24, 2020Peer reviewReviewed
August 1, 2021Good article nomineeListed
Did You Know A fact from this article appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the "Did you know?" column on August 24, 2021.
The text of the entry was: Did you know ... that Australian soprano Ada Baker toured India and China before becoming a singing teacher in Perth in 1889?
On this day... Facts from this article were featured on Wikipedia's Main Page in the "On this day..." column on July 24, 2023, and July 24, 2024.
Current status: Good article

Sources

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  • O'Brien, Anne (1993). "Baker, Ada Winifred Weekes (1866–1949)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 13. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  • "Tivoli Theatre". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 February 1895. p. 10.
  • "Musical and Dramatic Notes". The Sydney Morning Herald. 26 December 1896. p. 6.
  • "Madame Ada Baker's pupils". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 November 1927. p. 12.
  • "Australia Music Teachers' Alliance". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 March 1933. p. 8.
  • "Women & Music: Their part in the Eistedfodd (sic)". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 August 1934. p. 7.
  • "Singer Celebrates her 70th Birthday: Madame Ada Baker's memories". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 December 1936. p. 19.
  • "Family History: George Frederick Baker and Sarah Wilkinson Epsley Deal, Kent to Australia 1854" (PDF). benodet.com.au. September 2013. (self published, but fairly informative)
  • "Benefit promenade concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 January 1887. p. 8.
  • "Miss Ada Baker". Local and General. The National Advocate. Bathurst. 23 January 1891. p. 2.
  • "Once a Wagga woman". The Daily Express. Wagga Wagga. 11 August 1923. p. 8.
  • "A music teacher and a law clerk". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 24 September 1897. p. 3. (petition for divorce, Henry Halld for embezzlement)
  • "In Divorce: Hall v. Hall, A professional singer's petition". Evening News. Sydney. 24 September 1897. p. 7.
  • "The Embezzlement Epidemic". Evening News. Sydney. 25 April 1891. p. 4.
  • "The Tivoli". Before the Curtain. Sunday Times. Sydney. 20 January 1895. p. 7. - first mention of Harry Fitzmaurice
  • Summers, Joseph (1910). Music and musicians : personal reminiscences, 1865-1910. Perth: Galwey Printing. p. 37. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  • Baker, Ada (13 July 1911). "Influenze, a wonderful cure". The Sydney Morning Herald. location. p. 10. note that this looks like a paid endorsement, she gave this a few times
  • "Once a Wagga Woman, now in the limelight". The Daily Express. Wagga Wagga. 11 August 1923. p. 8.
  • "Stage Identities: Madame Baker and Mr. John Wallace". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 26 September 1924. p. 14. This interesting group presents excellent likenesses of Madame Ada Baker, now a well-known teacher of solo and choral singing, at one time of note as a comic opera soprano, and John Wallace, who has a strong claim to the title of "Father of the Australian stage." Mr, Wallace was famous in Australia as a dancer and comic opera comedian nearly 50 years ago, prefaced by a considerable career in England. He is now 83 years of age, and speeds gaily along as a producer of various suburban operatic societies. He laughingly declares that he is old enough to be Madame Ada Baker's father.
  • "Young Talent Helped". Radio Jottings. The Labor Daily. Sydney. 28 February 1927. p. 6. One of the most interesting feature about 2FC broadcasting management is the help extended to rising talent and opportunities are made for young Sydney singers and instrumentalists to be heard on the air. From very modest beginnings some well-known artists have now become part and parcel of the artistic life of Sydney, and they can trace their first success to successful broadcasting. The following well-known teachers have provided programme in this way for the station: Vost Jannsen (violin). Mia G. D. Barton (pianoforte). Harry Thomas (elocution), Gordon Lavers (pianoforte). Norbert Wentzell (piano), Cyrll Monk (violin), Madame Ada Baker (vocal), Montgomery Stuart (elocution), Miss Grace Stafford (elocution). Rex de Cairo Rego (piano). Lawrence Campbell (elocution), Hector Fleming (vocal). Lindley Evans (piano), Madame Emily Marks (vocal). Lionel Lawsaon (violin), and others.
  • "Peeps at People". Sunday Times. Perth. 21 July 1929. p. 2. Mention of the late Mrs. Harry Fitzmaurice recalls the fact that it was Harry himself who sustained the role of Mephistopheles in "The Two Worlds." a religious drama allegedly written by the also late Father Duff. Music' by the likewise late lamented Or. Summers. It was really an adaptation of "Paradise Lost," and similarly. Dr. Summers scarcely did any of the song melodies or incidental music this being the sole work of a remarkably clever harmonist. Miss Flora Bartlett (her real name was Murchison), her grandfather being Sir Roderick Murchison, the famous geologist, who first predicted, over 60 years ago, that extensive gold belts would be found where, afterwards the Murchison was proclaimed. Harry Fitzmaurice, in "The Two Worlds,", played Mephistopheles, Miss Ada Baker being Eve, Printer Harry Barton Adam, and so on. The play was put on at the Theatre Royal, Perth, and went to Ballarat, Victoria, where the company exploded and disbanded. Nobody in particular made any money out of it.
  • "A Splendid Record: Madame Ada Baker's Thousands for Charity". The World of Women. The World's News. Sydney. 2 October 1929. p. 15.
  • "Peeps at People". Sunday Times. Perth. p. 7. Down ?? umpire some of the cricket being played in Country Week, Charlie Hall, one time one of the best known civil servants in Cathedral-avenue. A husband of the gifted soprano, Ada Baker, the lady who did so much in the cause of charity. Charlie H was always cricket player and enthusiast, and no game between the Civil Service and another team was thought to be complete without the presence in the team of CH. Nowadays Charlie, who is an accountant manager of a big hotel on the Wongan Hills-Mullewa line, contents himself by being umpire, and few there are with a quicker eye for a missed crease, or an ear for the tiny tip of a catch into the hands of the wicketkeeper than the same Charlie Hall. Between work and umpiring at cricket he is the toastmaster at local smoke-night concerts and other harmonic shivoos.
  • Charlie Hall ("Mentioned in Dispatches". Sunday Times. Perth. 5 August 1934. p. 8.)
  • Death of Harry Fitzmaurice ("Personality Parade Intimate Impressions of People from All Parts". Sunday Times. Perth. 14 July 1935. p. 17.
  • "Personality Parade". Sunday Times. Perth. Down from Ballidu to get expert advice regarding eye trouble. Charlie Hall, a one-time well known civil servant (Lands Department). He will be better known as the husband of that one-time excellent stage and concert soprano, Ada Baker, she having played lead in professional light opera and lead also in Father Duffs and Dr. Sumer's collaboration, "Two Worlds." Located now for many years over in New South Wales, Miss Baker (Mrs. Hall) has a big following in the vocal line, her academy of voice culture being one of the best patronised in the State.
  • The Mirror really pushes the whole "golden jubilee" of an obviously seperated couple. ("My Lady's Page". Mirror. Perth. 25 April 1936. p. 18.)
  • "Obit: Charlie Hall - a Personality Passes". Sunday Times. Perth. 5 December 1937. p. 20.
  • "She's The Baby Of The Nothing-Under Seventy Club". The Sun. Sydney. 4 July 1939. p. 13.
  • Public Place Names (Forde) Determination 2006 (No 1) (PDF), 14 August 2006, p. 3
  • "Grandmothers for Victory". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 27 February 1945. p. 4. A grandmother's victory bond league is being formed in Kuring-gai Municipality to stimulate interest in the Third Victory Loan which opens on March 13. ... Sponsor of the idea is Madame Ada Baker...
Amusing anecdotes
  • "The "Two Worlds."". Sunday Times. Perth. 17 July 1910. p. 4. The recently-published musical memoirs pf Dr. Summers (we have mislaid his degrees) recalls the production of the "Two Worlds," both in Perth and in Ballarat. ... Harry Barton, a one-time well-known theatrical printer of Perth, assumed the role of Adam, Miss Ada Baker appeared as Eve (not in the ordinary "garb"), Harry Fitzmaurice was Satan, the other parts being sustained, hung-on-to and dropped by local amateurs.
  • "The Two Worlds". Verse—and Worse. Sunday Times. Perth. 12 December 1937. p. 19.
Former pupils
  • "Australians in London". Sunday Times. Sydney. 12 May 1912. p. 20. In private life. this lady is Miss Golda Clarke. She is a native of New South Wales, though she spent a good many years in West Australia. Mdlle. Golda received, her early training with. Miss Ada Baker and Signor Hazon in Sydney.
  • "Saftesbury Theatre". The Daily News. Perth. 21 December 1912. p. 10. An artist who will make her first appearance at the Shaftesbury this evening Is Mdlle. Jessica, a young Sydney contralto, who has received her training at the hands of Miss Ada Baker, formerly a well-known teacher in this city
  • "Miss Annie South". Sunday Times. Sydney. 15 November 1914. The first student in New South Wales to gain the Teachers' Diploma of the London College of Music for singing. Miss South is from the studio of Miss Ada Baker.
  • "Notable Visit: Distinguished Blind Contralto and her Pupil—a Boy Soprano". The Muswellbrook Chronicle. New South Wales. 5 April 1929. p. 1. Readers will notice in the present issue the announced visit to Muswellbrook next Tuesday night, at St. Alban's Church of Miss May Cooper, A.T.C.L., the blind contralto, with her boy pupil, Master Ray Simmons, the possessor of a wonderful soprano voice. The career of Miss Cooper is an unusually interesting one. At an early age she lost her sight. Being passionately fond of music, she commenced training at the age of seventeen in the art of singing .and elocution under the tuition of Madame Ada Baker.

Song list

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Promenade concerts
  • A dream within a dream; Henry Pontet, written by Edgar Allen Poe
  • A day dream; Blumenthal
  • A vision; Poutet
M. Kowalski's Grand Concert
  • La Carita; Rossini
North Sydney
  • Under the Palms; Root's cantana
Tivoli
  • The Milkmaid

Timeline

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Early life

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  • born 11 August 1866 in Strawberry Hills
  • moves to Wagga Wagga, father owns "The Pastoral Hotel" ("Grandmothers Support Loan". Daily Advertising. Wagga Wagga. 10 May 1945. p. 6.
  • starts teaching singing lesson at age of 15 for lessons in Sydney (Dictionary Biography)
  • raises £50 for Wagga hospital (austdict)
  • £38 in 1886 for the survivors of the shipwrecked Ly-ee-moon (dict bio)
  • benefit concert in Wagga and sent £24 15s 6d to the Lord Mayor of Sydney. ("Ly-ee-Moon Relief Fund". Public Notices. The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 24 July 1886. p. 1.)

Early career

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Western Australia

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Return to Sydney

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  • "General Gossip". Referee. Sydney. 18 December 1907. p. 12.
  • Highland Society ("Music and Drama". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 28 November 1907. p. 4.)
  • Starts choir ("Miss Ada Baker". The Theatres. The Sunday Times. Sydney. 12 January 1908. p. 2.)
    • Advert: "Miss Ada Baker". Advertising. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 1 February 1908. p. 3.
    • "Miss Ada Baker's Choir". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 5 February 1908. p. 12.
    • "The "Child Study" Concert". Amusements. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 16 April 1908. p. 10.
    • Egeria (30 January 1908). "Gossip of the week". Egeria's Letter. the Mirror. Perth. p. 8. I saw Miss Ada Baker yesterday while in Paling's music warehouse. She was looking well, and says she is getting on splendidly. She has a choir of over 60 children under sixteen in training, and the first concert, to be given shortly, is to be partly in aid of the Children's Hospital.
  • Marrickville location for singing lessons ("Miss Ada Baker, teacher of singing". Advertising. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 11 March 1908. p. 2.
  • Starts to be known as "Madame Ada Baker" ("Other shows". Sunday Times. Sydney. 9 August 1908. p. 2.)
  • Arranged music for St Cecilia Choir Pymble, where she raised £1000 for the local branch of the British Red Cross Society during World War I (austdictbio)
  • Ladies' choir formed
  • Moves to 335 George St, Sydney ("Famous French Tenor on Bluff". Theatres. Sunday Times. Sydney. 7 February 1909. p. 2. Miss Ada Baker announces she will resume the practice of her profession on Tuesday, at her studio, 335 George-street. The many friends and pupils of this lady will be pleased to hear that she has quite recovered from her recent illness.
  • Pymble Cecilia Ladies' Choir performs for War Fund ("Relief Funds". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 13 August 1914. p. 6.
  • War concert
    • Baker, Ada (23 August 1914). ""Practical Patriotism"". Sunday Times. Sydney. p. 9.
    • "Patriotic Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 12 October 1914. p. 8.
    • "Ambulance Classes at the Town Hall". Sunday Times. Sydney. 1 November 1914. p. 5. The entertainment given by the Pymble Cecilia Ladles' Choir (conductor, Miss Ada Baker) in the Repertory Theatre on October 10 resulted in £55/17/3 being raised for the Chamber of Commerce War Food Fund. Miss Ada Baker has also handed to the Theeosophical Society's Food Fund the sum of £15/5/, being the result of her quarterly pupils' audition, in the King's Hall on September 26. Mrs. David Storey will open the Allies' Fair at Kensington next month. Tile various allied nations will be represented at the stalls by ladies in' national dresses.
  • Pymble Cecilia Ladies' Choir ("In Society and Out". The Sun. Sydney. 24 August 1914. p. 2.)
  • Forms juvenile singing choir class on Saturday mornings ("Maitland Hospital Overcrowded". Sunday Times. Sydney. 28 March 1920. p. 3. "Madam Ada Baker has formed a juvenile singing class on Saturday mornings, at 43 Paling's Buildings.; also see "Madame Ada Baker". Advertising. The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 31 March 1920. p. 4. MADAME ADA BAKER desires to announce the formation of a JUVENILE SINGING CLASS (Boys and Girls), Saturday mornings, 43 Paling's-buildings. 10/6 per quarter.
  • First concert of the juvenile and junior students ("Juvenile Performers". Sunday Times. Sydney. 24 October 1920. p. 3.

Sydney Muffs

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  • "Amphion" (6 February 1909). "Musical and Dramatic Notes". The West Australian. Perth. p. 7.
  • "Sydney Muffs and St Martha's Home". The Star. Sydney. 26 August 1909. p. 3. There were reminders of a Robert Brough Comedy season at the Royal In the performance of "Niobe—All Smiles." Many in the crowded audience had seen the late Mr. Brough as Peter Amos Dunn and Mrs. Brough (now Mrs. Boll) as Niobe. In the revival' of Paulton's comedy the part of Peter was played by Mr. H. M'Kay and Miss Ella Crone appeared as the half ancient and half modern animated statue. Mr. M'Kay lacked "pace" as tho accidental owner of the living statue, but Miss Crona was surprisingly good as Niobe. Miss Ada Baker (as. the elderly Caroline), Miss Ruby Guest (as the lively Hattle Griffon), and Mr. Sidney Bucklcton (as Hamilton Tomkins, the art enthusiast) placed successes to their credit. There was a professional ring about the acting of Miss Baker.
  • Performance of "Caste" ("Eblana" (18 November 1909). "Social news and gossip". The Catholic Press. Sydney. p. 10.
  • "For Women". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 3 June 1918. p. 3. As the result of two vocal recitals held by tho pupils of Madam Ada Baker a sum of £46 has been handed to tho treasurer of the fund for the Church of England home for boys, and £37 to the treasurer of the Blind Soldiers' Fund (industrial School, William Street).

Australian Music Teachers' Alliance

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  • Elected to the executive of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance ("Australian Music Teachers' Alliance". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 29 March 1933. p. 8.)
  • Elected vice-president of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance ("Music Teachers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 25 November 1933. p. 10.)
  • Re-elected vice-president of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance ("Music Teachers' Alliance". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 29 October 1934. p. 10.)
  • Re-elected vice-president of the Australian Music Teachers' Alliance ("Music Teachers' Alliance". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 30 October 1935. p. 8.)

Testimonial concert

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  • "Madam Ada Baker Testimonial". The Sunday Herald. Sydney. 10 July 1949. A singer who has sung her way through three wars, Madam Ada Baker, is retiring from a long career as a singer and a teacher of singing, at the age of 83, after being injured in a motor accident, which has affected her health. For more than 40 years Madam Baker has had a singing studio at Paling's buildings. During that time she calculates that she has trained many hundreds of singers, many of them now well known. She has staged between 40 and 50 operas. A committee of 60 people, many of there former pupils, who in turn are the parents of present pupils, have arranged a testimonial concert for Madam Baker at the Sydney Town Hall next Thursday.

Charity work

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  • Children's Hospital ("The Children's Hospital: Facts and figures". The Daily News. Perth. 26 June 1908. p. 4.)
  • "Mr. E. Lewis Scott, successful testimonial concert". The Star. Sydney. 23 November 1909. p. 7. the amount to be handed over will be little short of ₤150
  • "Sydney Hospital Concert". The Sunday Sun. Sydney. 26 December 1909. p. 1.
  • Testimonial concert to Miss Ruby H. Guest ("A Testimonial Concert". Evening News. Sydney. 28 April 1910. p. 8.)
  • "Gordon Club Fourth Annual Concert". Goulburn Evening Penny Post. 1 October 1910. p. 6. The Gordon Club is launching out for the fourth annual concert, which is to be held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday, October 6, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the Gordon Club Boys' Band Fund. ... The principal visiting artist will be Miss Ada Baker, lyric soprano, of Sydney, who has gained many successes in the metropolis, and is down to sing some fine numbers. Miss Baker, it might be added, is very popular in Sydney, both as a vocalist and teacher, and she is giving a vocal recital at the Y.M.C.A. Hall, Sydney, on October 11th, under the direction of Mr. H. N. Southwell.
  • "Protestant Orphan's Fair". Watchman. Sydney. 9 November 1911. p. 4.
  • "Poor Relief Fund concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 7 December 1911. p. 10.
  • "Social Chat of the Day". The Newsletter: an Australian Paper for Australian People. Sydney. 20 May 1911. p. 4. On Saturday, May 6, a party organised by Miss Ada Baker, proceeded to the Walker Hospital to provide an entertainment for the patients.
  • "General Poor Relief Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 2 December 1911. p. 15.
  • "For Women". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 13 February 1912. p. 4. A most enjoyable concert was arranged on Friday evening last by Miss Ada Baker for the inmates of Callan Park Hospital
  • "Callan Park Hospital Entertainment". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 18 December 1912. p. 19.
  • "Sydney Mission to Seaman". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 22 October 1913. p. 10.
  • "Christmas Dinners Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 30 November 1914. p. 4.
  • "For Women". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 1 May 1915. p. 15. Miss Ada Baker, who is always so responsive to charity's call, gave a concert on Tuesday evening at Baumnnn's in aid of the Clothing Fund of the Church of England Homes at the Glebe.
  • "Refreshment Kiosk". Women's War Work. The Sun. Sydney. 1 April 1917. p. 17. A satisfactory open-air concert was held at Pymble recently to assist in paying off the homo presented by the W.C.T.U. to Private Badger and his family, at St. Ives. The entertainment was organised by Madame Ada Baker and her ladies' choir, assisted by Miss Irene Rich and Mr. Bob Watson. Madam Baker and her choir are now collecting to provide Private Badger with a horse and cart.
  • "From Near and Far". They Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 17 October 1917. p. 7. Madame Ada Baker's Pymble Cecilia Ladles' Choir can fairly claim to be the original "All-Girl" Patriotic Entertainers. Their first performance was given for the war funds in August, 1914, and they have continued working for tho patriotic causes since then. They played tho Japanese operetta, "Princess Ju Ju," at Chatswood Town Hall, on September 29, with full scenic and costume effects, and repeated^ it on Saturday at Killara; a third performance will be given at the Repertory Theatre on October 27. The three performances are to help the War Chest, Y.M.C.A., and Red Cross Nurses' Comforts Funds.
  • "Blind Soliders' Fund Recital". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 4 May 1918. p. 15.
  • "Pymble Ladies' Choir". Sunday Times. Sydney. 14 December 1919. p. 14. Proctor's operetta, Princess of Poppyland, was again successfully rendered by Madame Ada Baker's Pymble Cecelia Ladies' Choir on Saturday evening last at the Chatswood Town Hall. The entertainment was in aid of the Returned Soldiers' Building Fund, and was largely attended by an appreciative audience.
  • "Princess of Poppyland". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 30 June 1920. p. 10.
  • "For Women". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 4 November 1920. p. 3. A concert, in aid of the Sydney Night Refuge has been arranged by Madame Ada Baker, to take place in St. James's Hall on November 10.
  • "Concert at St. James Hall". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 18 November 1920. p. 11. A successful concert was given in St. James's Hall on Tuesday night in aid of funds for the Sydney Night Refuge. There was a good attendance, and each item was well received.
  • ""Birds and Fairies"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 18 November 1920. p. 11. Mme. Ada Baker directed a repetition of Millard's pretty fantasy "Birds and the Fairies," at St James's Hall on Monday night, In aid of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 28 December 1920. p. 4. Miss Elsie Barkell has handed to Mr. Moss, secretary of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, the sum of £36/10/6, the amount realised (after paying expenses) from the performance of "Birds and Fairies" operetto, by Madame Ada Baker's juvenile students. This amount will be used to instal a disinfecting sink In the Yaralla ward. The sum of £1/ was given later, and used to buy Christmas toys for the ward.
  • ""Princess of Poppyland"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 25 July 1922. p. 10. Madame Ada Baker has handed to Mr. W. Vout, the principal of the Darlington Practice School, the sum of £12, the result of the Juvenile performance of "Princess of Poppyland" at St. Jame's Hall on July 29, to aid its Soldiers Memorial Fund.
  • "Tea-Table Gossip". Sunday Times. Sydney. 12 November 1922. p. 16. Students of Madame Ada Baker will present the Oriental operetta, Princess Passion Flower, on Wednesday next at St. James' Hall, Phillip-street. Mr. Elved Jenkins, winner of the cup at the Katoomba Eisteddfod, will be one of the principals. The proceeds are in aid of the work of the Sydney Night Refuge, Francis-street, which provided 6418 meals, free of charge, during the Winter months to destitute men.
  • "Complimentary Concert". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 6 December 1923. p. 3. A complimentary concert was tendered to Madame Ada Baker by her students at St. James' Hall last night.
    • "For Sick Children". The Sun. Sydney. 13 December 1923. p. 9. Proceeds sale flowers and sweets at students' complimentary conecert to Madame Ada Baker, held at St. James's Hall, December 5 - ₤4/7/6
  • "Children's Hospital Concert". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 21 December 1923. p. 4. An attractive concert by the pupils of Madame Ada Baker, Miss Minnie Everett, and Mr. S. Vost Jansseu, took place at the Children's Hospital Cafe at Messrs. Angus and Coote's yesterday afternoon, in aid of the hospital funds ... Madame Ada Baker was the organiser.
  • "Bright-Eyed Kiddies at Hospital Cafe". The Labor Daily. Sydney. 26 March 1924. p. 7. To assist the funds of the Children's Hospital, Madam Ada Baker arranged a delightful entertainment at the Children's Hospital Cafe yesterday afternoon.
  • "Vanity Fair". Truth. Sydney. 1 June 1924. p. 12. SOCIETY en masse visited the King's Cross Theatre on Tuesday afternoon to help the District Nursing Association, which staged a matinee in aid of the general funds. ... The pupils of Ada Baker and Minnie Everett helped to vary the entertainment...
  • "A Christmas Party". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 13 December 1924. p. 12. A successful children's Christmas party was held at the Wentworth yesterday afternoon to raise funds for the District Nursing Association's new home at Globe Point. ... During the afternoon a programme of songs and dancing was given by the young pupils of Miss Minnie Everett and Madame Ada Baker.
  • "The Gossip of Sydney". Sunday Times. Sydney. 22 February 1925. p. 14. On Wednesday afternoon Madame Ada Baker was the hostess at an afternoon tea at the Children's Hospital Cafe, to help the work of the Melting Snowball in aid of the new Women's Hospital, Surry Hills.
  • "Ada Baker's Students". The Theatres. The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 18 March 1925. p. 12. Madame Ada Baker's juvenile students will give a concert at Paling's Concert Hall on Wednesday, March 26, at 8 p.m. Admission is free, but sweets, and flowers will be sold to help the new Women's and Children s Hospital In Surry Hills, for which a committee of women: are endeavoring £685 in 10 weeks by means of "Melting Snowball" teas.
  • "A Market Day". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 27 March 1925. p. 5. The Women's Christian Temperance Union is a very active body, whose helpful influence becomes more marked each year. To add to their funds they held a most successful market day in St. James's Hall yesterday. ... Madame Ada Baker's pupils added ail Interesting vocal and Instrumental programme to the evening's entertainment.
  • "The World of Women". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 11 July 1925. p. 2. Madame Ada Baker gave an enjoyable concert at tho King's Hall on Thursday afternoon. The funds will go to help to furnish a dormitory at the Church of England Homes, Glebe Point, for girls who have passed through tho Children's Court.
  • "Ada Baker's Pupils". The Theatres. The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 19 August 1925. p. 7. Madame Ada Baker's Juvenile operetta, which realised sufficient money on August 8 at St. James's Hall for twelve mouths' upkeep of a cot In the new "Rachael Foster" Hospital, will be repeated in the Record Reign Hall, Glebe, on Thursday next, at 8 p.m.. in aid of the Church of England Homes, Glebe.
  • "Charity Performances". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 19 October 1925. p. 6. Madame Ada Baker's students are making an effort to raise £600 to endow a cot in the new Rachel Forster Hospital, and to further this project will give a revue entertainment at St. James's Hall on Saturday.
    • "Madame Ada Baker's Students". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 26 October 1925. p. 5.
    • "Student's Concert". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 27 October 1925. p. 5. Juvenile talent was evident in the entertainment presented by students of Madame Ada Baker, at St. James's Hall, on Saturday. In the form of a revue, the programmer was given in aid of the fund to endow a cot in the Rachael Forster Hospital, and will be repeated tomorrow night, in aid of the Sydney Night Refuge, and on Thursday, in aid of the Carrington Convalescent Hospital.
    • "Social Gossip". The Sun. Sydney. 6 December 1925. p. 26. Over £80 was realised by the entertainments given by Madame Ada Baker's pupils, for tho cot in tho Rachel Forster Hospital, the Carrington Hospital, and tho Sydney Night Refuge.
  • "Madame Ada Baker's Pupils". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 17 December 1925. p. 4. There was a large attendance in Paling's Concert Hall last night when a number of juvenile students from the studio of Madame Ada Baker took part in a concert. The entire proceeds will be given to the "Sun" toy fund.
  • "Social Gossip". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 11 June 1926. p. 2. A concert by pupils of Madame Ada Baker, of Pymble, was given in the Masonic Hall, Turramurra, on Wednesday evening, in aid of the Methodist Mission Hospitals and Madame Ada Baker's Studio Cot in the Rachel Forster Hospital.
  • "Activities of Red Cross Society". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 3 May 1927. p. 23.
  • ""Mam'zelle Taps."". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 16 June 1927. p. 12. The funds of the N.S.W. division of the Red Cross Society should benefit substantially as the result of the performance of the romnantic military opera, "Mam'zelle Taps," which was given In St. James' Hall last night by the students of Madame Ada Baker.
  • "Concert at Hurstville". The Propeller. Hurstville. 16 September 1927. p. 6. The concert given at the Strand Theatre, Hurstville, last week by Madame Ada Baker's entertainers in aid of the district Red Cross T.B. appeal, was of high character, every item by the various members being applauded and encores demanded.
  • "In the Social World". The Sun. 25 December 1927. p. 19. A quarter of a mile of pennies, one-quarter of their objective, was raised by the students of Madame Ada Baker at a concert given recently at Paling's Concert Hall for the endowment of the Madame Ada Baker cot at the Rachel Foster Hospital. A cheque for £200 has been handed to the hospital for Christmas. Mr. W. Collins and a group of students from the studio of Mr. Vost Jansson assisted. Madame Baker's students will continue their work of gathering the rest of the mile in the New Year.
  • "Pennies". Colour and One Are Dominant Notes To-day: Jottings of a Lady About Town. Truth. Sydney. 1 January 1928. p. 16. Madame Ada Baker's pupils have also been hard at work, and the result is a quarter of a mile of pennies for an Ada Baker cot [at the Rachel Forster Hospital]. They have only a quarter of their object achieved, and it will be a happy day for them when the whole mile is collected. A cheque for £200 was handed to the hospital for Christmas, and this will, no doubt, go a long way to help the hospital achieve new wards without bringing them within the shadow of the debt they dread so much.
  • "Social Interests". The Sun. Sydney. 29 January 1928. p. 28. The Rachel Forster Hospital has commenced 1928 with its bank balance increased by about £1600— which includes, as well as a number of small gifts, an anonymous gift of £400, £100 from the estate of the late Mrs. Ada Rich, and £200 from Madame Ada Baker's pupils towards the £500 necessary to endow a cot.
  • "Endowing a Cot". Sunday Times. Sydney. 5 August 1928. p. 18. To help endow a cot in the Rachel Foster Hospital, the combined juvenile students of Madame Ada Baker, Miss May Cooper, A.T.C.L., Miss Eileen Davies, T.D.I/-C.M., and Miss Vera Walton will present Roeckel's charming operetta, 'The Hours,' at St. James' Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 7.45. Incidental dances uvbgkqj [sic] 8, at 7.45
  • "Rachel Forster Hospital". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 22 September 1928. p. 12. The various committees organised to assist the Rachel Forster Hospital have been busy recently. ... Madame Ada Baker raised £40 as the result of a Juvenile concert given by her pupils.
  • "Madame Bennett North". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 22 October 1928. p. 5. At St. James's Hall on Saturday night the students of Madame Ada Baker presented the light opera, "In Old Havana," the proceeds being devoted to the cot fund of the Rachel Forster Hospital. There will be another performance on Wednesday night.
  • "Social Interests". The Sun. Sydney. 11 November 1928. p. 32. A juvenile operetta was produced by the pupils of Madame Ada Baker, at Belmore, recently for a returned soldier's widow, and her children. The proceeds were £50. Misses May Cooper, Vera Walton, and Eileen Davies assisted. At a previous performance in aid of the Rachel Forster Hospital £40 was raised.
  • Ada Baker contributed £4/5/6 to The Sun's toy appeal ("74 Dolls". The Sun. Sydney. 9 December 1928. p. 2.)
  • "Terrigal: Splendid Relief Effort". The Gosford and Wyong District Advocate. New South Wales. 17 January 1929. p. 6. The recent bush fires, destructive and sudden in their effect, had nothing on the suddenness with which the residents and visitors came forward with practical sympathy for one whose uninsured home was destroyed on Wednesday, of last week. ... Messrs. S. Lowe (Sydney), Stevens (Enmore), Jagelman (Bellevue Hill), Gibson (Killara), Mrs. Westman (Croydon), and Madame Ada Baker (Cremorne) were the capable organisers and Mr. Stephen Lowe was M.C.
  • "Society". The Sun. Sydney. 20 January 1929. p. 4. Madame Ada Baker is enjoying a well-earned holiday at Terrigal. During last year her students added an other £100 to their, cot fund for the Rachel Forster Hospital, besides raising over £50 for other charities.
  • "Students' Recital". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 6 June 1929. p. 7. The pupils of Madame Ada Baker and of Miss May Cooper joined forces last night to give a recital in the King's Hall. ... The proceeds of the recital will benefit the Rachel Forster Memorial Hospital.
  • ""La Mascotte."". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 3 October 1929. p. 15. Although they were handicapped by the smallness of the stage, at St. James's Hall, the pupils of Madame Ada Baker gave a bright performance last night of Audran's old favourite comic opera, "La Mascotte." ... The proceeds of the entertainment will benefit the cot fund of the Rachel Forster Hospital.
  • "Children in Opera for Hospital Cot Fund". Evening News. Sydney. 9 October 1929. p. 16.
  • "Strolling Round the Town". The Sun. Sydney. 8 December 1929. p. 40. Another Rachel Forster Hospital fixture on Saturday is in the evening, at Paling's Concert Hall, when Madame Ada Baker will hand a cheque for £70 to Miss Ogilvie, representing the proceeds of her pupils' concert.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 16 December 1929. p. 4. The Sydney Sunshine Club gave an enjoyable Christmas party to all the sailor and soldier inmates of the Randwick Military Hospital last week. About 380 people were entertained. The programme was contributed by 40 artists, under the leadership of Madame Ada Baker.
  • "Still Busy: Toy-Makers' Rush". The Sun. Sydney. 17 December 1929. p. 14. Madame Ada Baker and Students (sale of flowers): ₤4/7/9
  • "Women's Guild of Empire". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 27 March 1930. p. 5. Undar the auspices of the Australian Women's Guild of Empire, a musicale was given at the Aeolian Hall last night. There was a good attendance, and the proceeds will be devoted to the furtherance of the guilds activities. ... Madame Ada Baker Miss Phyllis Fuller and Mr Montgomery Stuart arranged the programme...
  • "Talk of the Town". The Sun. Sydney. 30 March 1930. p. 32. Who will take part in the concert arranged by students of Madame Ada Baker in aid of the cot in the Rachel Forster Hospital. The students are only £30 short of £400, and once that figure is reached it will not seem long before the £500 is completed to endow the cot in perpetuity.
    • "Ada Baker's Pupils". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 14 April 1930. p. 6.
    • "Women in the World". The Sun. Sydney. 1 June 1930. p. 32. Congratulations, Madame Ada Baker and studentds! On Wednesday, in Paling's Concert Hall, the last £30 of the £400 raised by them through concerts and dances for the endowment of a cot at the Rachel Forster Hospital will be hand ed over to a member of the hospital board.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 4 April 1931. p. 6. A performance of "The Ugly Duckling" is being arranged by Madam Ada Baker, in co-operation with the Annandale auxiliary of the Royal Hospital for Women, to raise funds for the hospital. It will take place at St. Aldan's Hall, Annandale, on April 16.
  • "Concert and Social: Hurstville Presbyterians". The Propeller. Hurstville. 24 April 1931. p. 3.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 11 September 1931. p. 3. At the quarterly recital of the students of Madame Ada Baker, held last Saturday at Paling's, a cheque for £21/13/10 was presented to Dame Mary Hughes by the students, for the upkeep of their cot in the Rachel Forster Hospital.
  • "In Charity's Cause". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 3 December 1931. p. 7. Madame Ada Baker, whose good work for charity Is so well known, was the presiding genius behind the concert held last night in the Railway and Tramway Institute in aid of three charities.—the cot fund of the Rachel Forster Hospital, the First Dulwich Hill Scout Troup, and the Marrickville Hospital.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 16 December 1931. p. 5. To augment the funds of the Salvation Army's Sunshine Cafe, the students of Madame Ada Baker gave a performance last Wednesday night at the cafe, which was decorated for the occasion.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 15 March 1932. p. 3. Madame Ada Baker's students held a dance at Paling's concert hall last Saturday night, when the sum of £50 was presented to Miss Ogilvie, for the Ada Baker studio cot in the Rachel Forster Hospital, The sum of £471 has been raised to date for the cot.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 11 May 1932. p. 5. Madame Ada Baker and her students gave a successful concert last Saturday night at Lawson, in aid of the funds of Stratford School.
  • "Concert at Y.W.C.A. Hall". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 2 June 1932. p. 15. The Sydney Orpheus Society and six of Madame Ada Baker's students cave a concert at the YWCA Hall last evening, before a large audience, in aid of the Rachel Forster Hospital Cot Fund.
  • ""Les Cloches de Corneville"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 6 October 1932. p. 10. Robert Planquette's three-act comic opera, "Les Cloches de Corneville," was presented by Madame Ada Baker at the Railway and Tramway Institute last night.
    • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 17 October 1932. p. 4. The final performance of "Les cloches de Corneville" was given by Madame Ada Baker and her students in the Railway Institute on Saturday night. There were four productions of the opera, the proceeds going to different charities Saturday nights performance was for the Rachel Forster Hospital and marked the completion of the total amount necessary for the endowment in perpetuity of the "Ada Baker" cot in the institution. Mrs. W. H. Read chairman of the hospital board gave a short address during the interval and said Madame Ada Baker and students had created a record in raising £500 necessary for the endowment of the cot in a little less than five years. She specially thanked Mr. W. Goodman who gave his services to play "Gaspard". A profusion of flowers was presented to the performers Madame Ada Baker was given a basket of flowers from the hospital board and a bouquet of roses and cornflowers by Miss Clare Peatling (hon secretary of the fund).
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 29 November 1932. p. 3. Madame Ada Baker's students arranged a gala concert and dance on Saturday night at Paling's concert hall, to celebrate the fact that they had completed the sum of £500 for their cot In the Rachel Forster Hospital.
  • "Concert at Springwood". The Nepean Times. Penrith. 1 April 1933. p. 8. A concert in aid of Nepean District Hospital, organised 'by Mrs Schuetto and members of the ladies' auxiliary was held in the Springwood Hall on Wednesday evening, and was moderately attended. Madame Ada Baker brought up a troup of 14 performers, mostly her pupils who gave a splendid entertainment of original and varied items, nil of which were well rendered.
  • "Vocal and Dramatic Recital". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 21 July 1933. p. 10. A vocal and dramatic entertainment in aid of Farmer's Radio Birthday Club and the Rachel Forster Hospital, was given at the Y.W.C.A. hall last night, by the students of Madam Ada Baker...
  • "Gift to Hospital". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 13 January 1934. p. 10. Madame Ada Baker, on behalf of her students, has handed to the secretary of the Rachel Forster Hospital a cheque for £30 towards the "Lady Game Wing" at the hospital.
  • Contributed to Nellie Stewart Memorial (""The Flower Queen"". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 15 June 1934. p. 9.)
  • ""The Lass of Limerick Town"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 8 November 1934. p. 18.
  • "Thanks to "Sun" Toy Fund". The Sun. Sydney. 27 December 1934. p. 9. Proceeds of a concert by Juvenile Students of Madam Ada Baker and Miss Molly Kerwan - ₤3/2/6
  • ""Ma Mie Rosette."". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 18 November 1935. p. 6. "Ma Mie Rosette," which is given in aid of Hammondville, will be repeated to-morrow night and on Saturday next.
  • "Performance by Students". The Sun. Sydney. 15 November 1936. p. 22. "Runaway Girl" was presented last night by Madame Ada Baker's students at the Railway and Tramway Institute Hall ... The proceeds will go to the Nellie Stewart Memorial Cot Fund.
  • "Cheque for Hospital". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 18 April 1939. p. 2. At the annual meeting of the Rachel Forster Hospital today, Madame Ada Baker will hand over a cheque for £140, the proceeds of her recent Golden Jubilee opera entertainment.
  • "Relief Fund for Polish Victims". The Sun. Sydney. 22 December 1939. p. 12. Madame Ada Baker, who raised £1000 in the last war for the Red Cross by open-air entertainments, handed £22 13s to the Polish War Victims' Relief Fund yesterday. The money was raised at a juvenile concert which she organised.
  • "Amateurs in Musical Play". The Sun. Sydney. 10 October 1940. p. 11. An excellent performance of an old favorite, the musical comedy "The Belle of New York" was given at the Conservatorium last night by the pupils of Madame Ada Baker, who has done so much in Sydney for patriotic and charitable funds. ... Proceeds are for the Lord Mayor's Patriotic Fund, the Railways War Fund and the Rachel Forster Hospital.

Concerts

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  • "Miss Ada Barker's Pupils' Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 14 June 1909. p. 3.
  • "Musical Festival, Commonwealth Eisteddfod". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 15 August 1910. p. 3.
  • "Miss Ada Baker's Recital". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 8 June 1911. p. 10.
  • "For Women". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. p. 4. A most enjoyable concert was arranged on Friday evening last by Miss Ada Baker for the inmates of Callan Park Hospital
  • "Pupils of Miss Ada Baker". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 5 August 1912. p. 3.
  • "Miss Ada Baker's Concert". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 12 October 1910. p. 15.
  • "Choral Association Eisteddfod". Sunday Times. Sydney. 12 March 1911. p. 2.
  • "Miss Baker's Concert". Evening News. Sydney. 8 June 1911. p. 9.
  • "Miss Ada Baker's Recital". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 8 June 1911. p. 10.
  • "Concert Engagements". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 13 December 1911. p. 17.
  • "Miss Ada Baker's Pupils". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 19 December 1911. p. 13.
  • "Armidale Caledonian Society". The Armidale Chronicle. 3 January 1912. p. 4.
  • "Armidale Caledonian Society". The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser. 5 January 1912. p. 2.
  • ""Bobbie Burns.", local Scots celebrate his natal day". Sunday Times. Sydney. 28 January 1912. p. 7.
  • "Student's Concert". Evening News. Sydney. 28 May 1913. p. 12.
  • "Concerts and Recitals". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 28 May 1913. p. 16.
  • "Pupil's Concert". The Daily Telegraph. 8 September 1913. p. 5.
  • "Social News and Gossip". The Catholic Press. 1 January 1914. p. 22. At the Vocal Quartette Recital on Wednesday evening last, at St. James' Hall. Mr. Harry Thomas presented Miss Ada Baker with a handsome framed photograph of the 'Quartette' on their behalf, as a token of their esteem and love.
  • "The Shakespeare Carnival". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 25 April 1914. p. 14.
  • "Ada Baker's Pupils at King's Hall". Sunday Times. New South Wales. 26 April 1914. p. 6.
  • "Pupil's Concert". The Sun. Sydney. 26 April 1914. p. 4.
  • "Students' Recital". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 6 July 1914. p. 13.
  • "Musical World". Sunday Times. Sydney. 11 October 1914. p. 6.
  • "Miss Ada Baker's Pupils". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 9 December 1914. p. 5.
  • "Miss Baker's Audition". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 21 April 1915. p. 5.
  • "Miss Baker's Concert". Sunday Times. Sydney. 6 June 1915. p. 6.
  • "Pupil's Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 7 June 1915. p. 3.
  • "Miss Ada Baker's Pupils". Amusements. The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 18 October 1915. p. 9.
  • "Miss Ada Baker's Choir". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 22 December 1915. p. 14.
  • "Pymble Ladies' Choir". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 10 March 1916. p. 10. The Pymble Cecilia Ladles' Choir, of which Miss Ada Baker is the conductor, paid a visit to the Soldiers' Convalescent Home at Turramurra on Tuesday evening and entertained the men with a most enjoyable programme of part songs, monologues, and scenes from operas.
  • "Mme. Ada Baker's Pupils". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 18 December 1916. p. 4.
  • "Mme. Ada Baker's Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 12 April 1918. p. 5.
  • "Madame Ada Baker Concert". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 12 December 1918. p. 3.
  • "Operetta at Chatswood". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 5 December 1919. p. 6.
  • "Madame Baker's Pupils". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 13 December 1919. p. 15.
  • "Madame Ada Baker's Students". Sunday Times. Sydney. 14 March 1920. p. 2.
  • "Mme. Ada Baker's Students". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 6 October 1920. p. 12.
  • "Near and far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 5 March 1921. p. 9. The monthly meeting of the Royal Friendly Union of Sailors' Wives was held at the Naval House, Grosvenor-street, on Wednesday last, when the musical programme was gaven by Madame Ada Baker and pupils.
  • ""The Rajah's Ruby"". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 30 May 1921. p. 3. Students of Madama Ada Baker, assisted by an ensemble from the studio of S. Vost Janssen, appeared at St. James's Hall on Saturday evening in a successful presentation of King Prostor's Oriental operetta in a prologue and three acts, "The Rajah's Ruby."
  • "Juvenile Entertainment". Sunday Times. Sydney. 10 July 1921. p. 2. A bright lot of children from Madame Ada Baker's juvenile classes gave an enjoyable entertainment at St. James' Hall yesterday afternoon.
  • "Concert for St. John Ambulance". Sunday Times. Sydney. 7 August 1921. p. 2. For St. John Ambulance fund, Madame Ada Baker directed an enjoyable entertainment at the King's Hall last night.
  • "Students' Recital". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 22 October 1921. p. 7. Four of Madame Ada Bakers vocal students gave a recital at St. James B Hall on Thursday night before a crowded audience when, with the aid of supporting artists, and Messrs. George Davis and Normand Dimond, singers from the same group, whose contributions were especially welcome, a capital entertainment resulted. Clearness of enunciation was a sterling point in the training of all the singers.
  • "Amusements: Mme. Ada Baker's Students". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 23 March 1922. p. 11. An enjoyable concert was given by the more advanced students of Madame Ada Baker at Paling's Concert Hall last night, when the various singers of a group which included some excellent voices won cordial applause.
  • "Near and Far". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 29 March 1923. p. 4. Madame Ada Baker's Juvenile classes gave a most enjoyable concert at Paling's concert hall last week to a crowded audience. In the interval sweets, etc., were sold, and with the proceeds a party of poor children were taken to Clifton Gardens on Saturday last. A sufficient sum of money was realised at the concert to arrange yet two more outings after Easter.
  • "Madame Ada Baker's Students". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 7 July 1923. p. 11.
  • "Paling's Xmas". Evening News. Sydney. 26 December 1923. p. 3. Paling's Christmas entertainments for children drew large crowds to the concert hall of the firm. The closing programme was presented by pupils of Madame Ada Baker, Mrs Roy Capps, Mr. Edward Bell, Mr. Harley Court, Bobby Watson and Russ Garling.
  • "Personal". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 28 March 1924. p. 4. Mr. and Mrs. G. Wrido were entertained at their home at Gordon by the members of the Pymble-Gordon Musical Society prior to their leaving for Britain and the Continent on April 8. Mr. "Wride is president of the Musical Society, and Madame Ada Baker and Mr. J. J. Jenkins, the conductor, in expressing the good wishes of members, presented Mrs. Wride with a travelling cushion, and Mr. Wride with a silver pince-nez case.
  • "Pupil's Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 22 August 1924. p. 6.
  • ""Captain Crossbones"". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 6 October 1924. p. 2.
  • Coronation: "Nearing Conclusion". The Labor Daily. Sydney. 29 April 1925. p. 5. The programme for the coronation ceremony at the Town Hall on Friday, was announced yesterday by the director (Miss Sara Collins). A concert, to which well-known concert and theatrical performers will contribute will precede the ceremony, which will commence at 9.15 p.m., singers from. the studios of Madame Ada Baker and Mr. Roland Foster and children from the dancing studio of Miss Minnie Everett will ensure tuneful singing and delightful dancing during the proceedings...
    • "Broadcasters". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 1 May 1925. p. 3. 11.0.— "God Save the King"
      Vocalists from the studios, Madame Ada Baker and Mr. Roland Foster. Children from the studio of Miss Minnie Everett, trained by Miss Elsie Stevenson. Accompanists, Misses Daisy Mangan and Worpell.
  • "Student's Concert". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 26 June 1925. p. 13.
  • "Birds and Fairies" at St James' Hall ("Amusements". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 10 August 1925. p. 13.)
  • "Madame Ada Baker's Pupils". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 11 September 1925. p. 15.
  • "Pupil's Recital". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 27 May 1926. p. 5.
  • "Juvenile Concert". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 19 August 1926. p. 11.
  • "Military Opera". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 22 November 1926. p. 13. "Mam-zelle Taps," a military opera, was produced by the students of Madame Ada Baker at St. James's Hall on Saturday evening.
  • "Madame Ada Baker's Pupils". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 3 November 1927. p. 12.
  • ""In Old Havana"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 22 October 1928. p. 6.
  • "Madame Ada Baker's Pupils". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 31 October 1930. p. 5.
  • "Operetta for Charity was Enjoyed: Madame Baker's Students in "Lucky Dream"". Daily Pictorial. Sydney. 30 November 1930. p. 7.
  • "Girls' Convent Choir". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 23 August 1933. p. 10. An excellent concert was given in Paling's Hall during the lunch hour yesterday by the girls' choir of St. Anthony's Convent, Clovelly. The choir consisted of about 60 girls, and was conducted by Madame Ada Baker, who taught the girls to sing at the convent.
  • ""Boccaccio" Presented by Madame Ada Baker". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 13 November 1933. p. 5.
  • "Junior Theatre League". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 27 August 1934. "The Magic Gum Tree," by Madame Arline Sauer, played by Madame Ada Baker's Juvenile Singing Classes, was an extremely pretty pot pouri of gumnut pixies, wattle-blossom fairies, aboriginal boys, and koala bears, all of the little players showing careful training and lively enjoyment of their parts.
  • "Amusements". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 6 September 1937. p. 6. The recital was held in order lo raise funds to enable Madame Baker to produce Arthur Penn's new opera. "The China Shop," at the Railway and Tramway Institute
  • ""The China Shop"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 25 October 1937.
  • ""Les cloches de Corneville"". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 27 July 1939. p. 11.

Lectures

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  • Lecture on "The Training of Children's Voices" ("Madame Ada Baker". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 14 July 1934. p. 8.)
  • "Music Teachers' Alliance". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney. 17 August 1938. p. 8. Madame Baker will speak on English music of the sixteenth to the eighteenth century.

Broadcasts

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Influenza endorsements

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Death

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Note to the unwary...

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The Australian Dictionary of Biography is slightly misleading. it states that "The Halls lived in Perth in 1901-05". That is technically true, but they were unlikely to be living with each other: Ada had unsuccessfully attempted to divorce Charles by then, and had been accused of being unfaithful (which she denied). The Dictionary doesn't even mention this. - Chris.sherlock (talk) 19:39, 26 April 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Next part

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In attempt to be transparent, I’m noting my plans for this article as I go. I’m going slowly as I’m finding it hard to write the final bit of this article, mostly I’m thinking about it as I wikignome Australian topics and some current events.

Anyway, I think the next paragraph will need to cover the significant concerts she and her children performed in. I think I can get this to a paragraph using the sources I’ve already found. After that I’ll figure out the next paragraph! - Chris.sherlock (talk) 09:43, 29 August 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Divorce explanation

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I feel I need to explain why I wrote about Baker’s divorce case. My intention here is to give necessary context as to how divorce worked before no fault divorces were introduced in 1975. The explanation of infidelity was in no way meant to show her in a bad light, and if I felt I could exclude it I would have. However, unfortunately because of the law at the time it was brought up. I have included an explanation of no-fault divorce. To satisfy NPOV I could not include my own opinion that Hall used it as a legal mechanism, to all accounts he seems to have gone to the grave pining for his wife but I have no way of knowing motivations. - Chris.sherlock (talk) 17:06, 22 September 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Section names

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I would prefer to use the section names "References" and "Notes". These are out most common names from time immemorial. If another article whose primary author prefers "Citation" and "Explanatory notes", I would not change this, but I was virtually the sole author of this article and really, reference convention is to stick with the original author's decision. See WP:CITEVAR for the wider explanation. - Aussie Article Writer (talk) 03:35, 16 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

GA Review

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GA toolbox
Reviewing
This review is transcluded from Talk:Ada Baker/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: Tayi Arajakate (talk · contribs) 01:16, 25 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Comments

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  • Regarding ref 2, if I'm not missing something, it just calls describes her father as "Mr. Baker of Pastoral Hotel" which doesn't quite make it clear that the hotel was purchased by him or that he was the manager or even that the family moved to Wagga Wagga.
  • "At the age of 15 she started giving music classes ..." In the sentence, the use of "giving" sounds odd, I would suggest using "offering" instead.
  • The pound symbol doesn't need to be wikilinked.
  • "She raised £50 for Wagga hospital and £24/15/6 to the Lord Mayor of Sydney for survivors of the shipwreck of the Ly-ee-moon off the Green Cape Lighthouse. This line should specify the year 1886 and come after the next sentence to be chronological, otherwise it sounds like she did it at 15.
  • Ref 5 could be used to expand the article a bit more, it states that she began her musical career at age 12 which isn't mentioned article and that she raised the money for the hospital donation through a concert, it also appears that the donations for the survivors and the one towards the hospital were the same one from it. Ref 3 is an advertisement so I wouldn't place as much weight on it.
    • the ref you mention is a public notice, I suspect required through law at the time, so it’s quite reliable. I have added the information you point out, I think that is quite valuable information! Inspired by this, I located the “Well done, Ada!” article it mentions and cited that. - Aussie Article Writer (talk) 02:42, 1 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "According to Baker, Hall had married her reluctantly – she had directed her brother to "break his head" if he did not." There is a slight inaccurate in this, it should state that she had told Hall that her brother would "break his head", she doesn't say that she directed her brother do so. I think the line should also specify the context that this was stated in her divorce petition. The line also probably belongs in the paragraph on her divorce.
  • "... Maharajah's elephant." Maharajah is an archaic spelling, just Maharaja should be enough.
  • "In the era of at-fault divorce – Australian enacted no fault-divorce in 1975 – if neither party could prove fault in the marriage by the other, then it would not be granted." This line is not cited. The article should also specify the custody of their children.
  • "During July and August of 1898 Rickards' Tivoli company, including Baker, played in Western Australia." Regarding this line, I would suggest using "toured" or "performed" instead of "played".
  • Hall, her estranged husband, had been living in Western Australia by that time. Despite Baker not arriving in Perth with him nor living with him, the Truth reported that "there seemed no regret for 'the man she had left behind her.'" This sentence isn't quite clear as to what it means, I would suggest rephrasing.
    • I respectfully disagree. The paper implied she had deserted Hall, despite the fact Hall left her for Perth. A few people have read this, and it’s fairly clear what it alludes to. I don't want to state their intent, because that might be considered OR. - Aussie Article Writer (talk) 03:01, 1 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
      I've read it again and I suppose it does make sense. Though, I would make one suggestion of placing it in the next section since Hall's whereabouts are not specified in the article and the sentence's placement in the section on her move to Western Australia can give the impression that she had deserted him for Perth. Tayi Arajakate Talk 09:35, 1 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]
  • "Baker's enthusiasm when raising funds for the Rachel Forster Hospital for Women and Children had her made a life governor in 1927." I would suggest adding "at the hospital" after "governor" in the sentence.
  • "... and in 1932 she raised a further £140 for that hospital." "The hospital" instead of "that hospital".
  • "Ada Baker Street in Forde, Australian Capital Territory is named in her honour." The year could be specified and I would suggest not keeping this line a separate paragraph.
  • In general, the article is almost entirely sourced from dated contemporary news pieces, which are somewhat primary sources (She has an entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography so notability isn't a concern). I understand that they might be the more abundant sources available for the subject but I would still suggest incorporating more modern secondary sources if possible.

Assessment

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  1. Comprehension: The comprehension is good.
  2. Pass Pass
    Criteria Notes Result
    (a) (prose) The prose is clear and concise. Pass Pass
    (b) (MoS) The article is compliant with the manual of style. Pass Pass
  3. Verifiability: The article is verifiable.
  4. Pass Pass
    Criteria Notes Result
    (a) (references) The article has a list of references and in-line citation in the body. Pass Pass
    (b) (citations to reliable sources) Sources used appear to be largely reliable. Pass Pass
    (c) (original research) No original research present. Pass Pass
    (d) (copyvio and plagiarism) No copyright violation or plagiarism found. Pass Pass
  5. Comprehensiveness: The article is comprehensive enough.
  6. Pass Pass
    Criteria Notes Result
    (a) (major aspects) The article broadly covers all major aspects of the subject. Pass Pass
    (b) (focused) The article remains on topic without unnecessary deviations. Pass Pass
  7. Neutrality: The article is neutral.
  8. Pass Pass
    Notes Result
    The article is compliant with the policy on neutral point of view. Pass Pass
  9. Stability: The article is stable.
  10. Pass Pass
    Notes Result
    No ongoing edit warring or content disputes are present. Pass Pass
  11. Illustration: The article is well illustrated.
  12. Pass Pass
    Criteria Notes Result
    (a) (images are tagged and non-free images have fair use rationales) No copyright issues found. Pass Pass
    (b) (appropriate use with suitable captions) Use and caption are good. Pass Pass

General feedback

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As with the other article, not a GA review because I'm not familiar with the criteria anymore and someone else is already doing one.

The article seems a bit unclear about her significance. I'm absolutely not questioning her notability because it's well-sourced and and flies past general notability criteria, but it doesn't really tell me why she's important. There are big gaps in coverage of her performing career and little explanation of her significance as a performer or of the reaction to her performances, beyond a couple of quotes and her skills as a fundraiser at one time. The lead section doesn't really shed any light on this, and since it repeatedly mentions her singing teaching (something that the article doesn't really suggest was of any great significance) it almost downplays her importance to the point where one might wonder why she has an article.

The whole "Move to Western Australia" section seems to need a bit more work. There is very little about her activities in WA outside of the court case, despite the section concluding that she had very much been noticed there. The court case paragraph needs context (what was The Continental Gardens? what did she have to do with them? what is "a Coolgardie or Kalgoorlie reason"?), and "Hence decided to find against Baker" is not a sentence. The Drover's Wife (talk) 03:40, 25 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the feedback. I thought her importance was because of her activities, which I think are detailed fairly extensively in the article. I find it hard to say that she was notable for anything because I fear it would break NPOV. Her accomplishments really show her notability.
I also disagree that her singing teaching has been downgraded. It is clear it was important as her students regularly appeared on the radio, and she even gave a lecture on training to a significant organisation of the day. I rather think the article does show it was quite important…
I will look at adding some context for The Continental Gardens, that’s a reasonable suggestion.
What are the gaps in her performing career? I thought I had covered it quite well, based on the available sources. If you compare it to the ADB, which establishes her notability, I think we cover her performance and teaching career more thoroughly than it does!
In terms of the quote you reference, the text reads “ She denied knowing what opposing counsel meant that this was "a Coolgardie or Kalgoorlie reason" for not going.”
I think it’s clear that this meant they implied she didn’t want to go because it was in the goldfields, and implied she looked down on the people there. The problem is, that’s all the sources tell us, they don’t explicitly say that’s what is meant. I don’t to introduce WP:OR into the article by saying as such. - Aussie Article Writer (talk) 04:25, 27 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]