The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-09-26
MbsIc
To she Members or the Empofia Ma
sIeaI Union, and Lovers OF Good
Music Generally

; During the summer many inquiries
have been made of me and many de-
sires expressed concerning the forth
coming season of our pleasant little
Musical Union. Its first season was
undoubtedly a pleasant one, as many of
us can testify, and its success was as
complete as could reasonably be ex-
peeted, Notwithstanding many draw
backs which we could not very well
have remedied, arising mainly from
the private circumstances OF some val
liable members. Still we have been
satisfied with the work done and the
success achieved. We are now OPEN
ing on its second season, and we hope
to make it as much success as its
first. But before we enter upon the
work of the season 1 have n few
thoughts which desire to communi-
cate to you in the interest OF the sci
ence for which we labor.
1. Can we not make the Musical
Union a more thorough and permanent
benefit to our peoples think we
can. think we can make 1t the basis
OF Conservatory Of Music, wherein
shall be given a thorough course of
systematic training in all the branches
necessary to develop the true and
comprehensive and symmetrical mu-
steal character. This may appear to
be bold idea to those whose attention
has not been drawn in this direction.
Some will say that if such an organ
ization were possible in this section of
country it would have been started at
the capital or at some other populous
and important point. Why at the
capital? Is there nothing good, is
there nothing successful but that
starts at the capital? Our pioneers
certainly had not this whitening
thought about them, else there would
have been no Emporlu to-day. Have
we not sufficient precedents to encour-
age US in this matter, though we are
not the capital Gust YETI? Does En-
poria hold more inferior position in
relation to the capital than Jackson
vile does in relation to Chicago. or
Plainesville in relation to Cincinnati?
Yet they have their Conservatories.
Has this thing not been practical and
successful elsewhere? Most assurediy.
Then why not here?
As another objection, the case Of the
Leavenworth Musical Academy of six
weeks has been cited. And I have
heard it rumored that that useful insti-
tuition would have gone "the ways of
all the earth" were it not for the obli-
cations of the parties concerned for q
term of years. They are bound to
cash the notes, hence they are de-
termined TO "face the music" To
this we answer that we can, from our
present standpoint, conceive OF several
reasons why the I.eaveuworth Musical
Academy cannot be prosperous. First,
it is simply something gotten up be-
tween times, as 1t were, during the
hottest part of the summer, when it is
utterly impossible to do much good
work, and when the people want rest
and recreation more than worry and
work. Second, It's session is of too
short duration to do much good teach
ing. Prof. Hoss. or any other ex-
perienced educator, will readily tell
you that it takes q couple of weeks,
good, to thoroughly organize, classify
and efficiently start an institution of
learning; and, as in the case of Leav-
HI hoa ola
little is left wherein to do the real
work. A Conservatory, to become a
success, must be made home institu-
ton, with home interests and manage
ment, working continuously and sys-
tematically, and should be, if possible,
by united effort, made self-sustain-
ing from its very infancy. 1t must
pay, for that is the bone and sinew of
all business effort; it must stand this
crucial test or die. Our musical edu-
cation should not be romance but q
serious reality.
Another objection A friend of
mine, who is a musician, said: "Your
Conservatory cannot succeed, for the
people like too well to be humbugged."
I remarked, jocularly, that that is one
reason why it should succeed. "NO,"
said he, ''your Conservatory cannot help
being first-class in all its appoint
ments-I am convinced of that. 1t
would be q solemn reality, like all
other gold institutions of learning.
while the people want quack pretend
els, and roulade finger dancers, and
Eva-hange-heli-line vocalizers. The
true, artistic, natural comprehensive
musical educator they do not want
fancy, not fact-sound, not sense-a
spasmodic. notional, empyric, patch
work; not a thorough, systematic and
scientific education 1 found my
friend was growing eloquent, and 1
thought better to drop the subject.
Seriously, there is food for CONT mpla-
ton here. Is my friends picture of the
average musical society u correct one?
If it is, we are called upon to labor in
a good cause; we have great work to
do in the interests of true art. The
world lieth in darkness, and there is
great need of grand central light that
shall shed its effulgehce far and wide
over the land, and teach the people
and the ingathering nations the true
and legitimate service of song.
Another would say, SIT would not
meet with sufficient encouragement.
There would not come sufficient num-
Der of students" To which ans wer,
why notP While we will, by the con-
solilation of our little interests, and
the focalIzation of scattered and diver
sided teaching, by the employment of
heightened and efficient artists, by the
saving of time to teachers by organic
ed arrangement, and by cheaper rates
of tuition to students, by more thor
ough and comprehensive and satisfac-
tory teaching, fully satisfy the most
fastidious-with all this, we ask again,
why not! Put it on the basis of self
interest alone, every one would be apt
to avail himself of the greatest good at
the smallest cost; and not only that,
but the association of teaching force,
: the artistic atmosphere of the institu-
ton, the advantages and cheerfulness
OF members, all would contribute to
its complete success. lean see no rea-
son why it should not succeed.
?. How can this be brought about
Nv plan IA nor fnIly v,atu.o1 I,,,S