The Evening critic., 1881-07-20
THE EVENING CRITIC.
Another Suggestion from Professor
widows.
EsTADLIsHED AUGUST. 1865.

widows.
To The Editor of The Erening Critic:
While do not desire to take up too
much of your valuable space, STILL as you
were the first to suggest musical thanks
giving, or, If you please, n grand jubilee,
and invited the opinions and suggestions of
the musical fraternity, as well as business
men, | feel rs u musician, and having
had some experience in these matters, that
the suggestions of some and objections of
Others to the various plans proposed, re-
squire some light in order to make their
brightness visible. Permit me to say, that
am surprised to find educated musicians
advocating musical festival or II series of
concerts, when they know-if they know
anything-that it is an impossibility, as
stated in my communication on Saturday,
to make preparations for successful mu-
steal gathering in so short a time. | am,
and have been, for two or three years, in
favor of a grand musical festival
in this city, and for this rea-
ason have advocated the building of
q large music hall in which to give it, but
this is not the time. These same misi-
clans also suggest the sending to New York
and elsewhere for help to make it a success,
and for Theodore Thomas or DR.. Damrosch
to be the leaders. / am sorry the suggestion
r. comes from those who have considered
themselves competent to direct musical
gatherings, and think it u discourtesy III
not an insult) to the musical talent Of this
city to suppose that there are not singers
and instrumentalists sufficient to organize
grand chorus and orchestra, or musician
of sufficient ability to lead them. The
yellow fever concerts, q few years since, are u
contradiction to this theory. | believe
that chorus and orchestra of from 500 to
1000 can be organized in this city,
and there is no better man, or n
more competent musician than our veteran
conductor, DIR. Caulfeld, who is rs well
qualified to lead such an organization as
Theodore Thomas, DR.. Damrosch, or any
other outside musician The best time
to give grand jubilee or musical festival
would be the second week of next Juno, the
anniversary of the nomination of our noble
President to the position he has so ably
filled. This will give ample time for prcpa-
ration, Congress would be in session, and
no donbt the city filled with strangers, and
large music ball--if commenced--could be
ready for use.
One of. your correspondents says that
" he does not think my idea of an open-air
gathering of Sunday school children can be
carried out in so short u time Does he not
know that the Sunday-school scholars are
taught every Sabbath to sing hymns of
praise and thanksgiving, and could be got
ready with very few rehearsals? And
does he not know that the chorister Of each
school can teach them the pieces necessary
to be sung, and that one general rehearsal
of all the schools would be sufficient? And
does he not know that last year a majority
of all the Sunday schools were drilled, and
celebration proposed in the Smithsonian
grounds, with the Marine Band, the leader
of which had arranged all the pieces
so rs to accompany tho voices? There
is, therefore, no trouble about the
schools being ready. have already move
mcnt on foot for the successful carrying
Sis made for bicycle races and roller-skate
Contests on Pennsylvania avenue, thereby
giving an opportunity for those who bet to
name the winner. This would be a nice
Thanksgiving to Almighty God! Another
suggests that u grand jubilee would be q
financial success, meaning that people are to
pay for the privilege of giving thanks. An
other suggestion is that the musical festi-
val will have q tendency to awaken new
interest in musical matters, and that mu-
steal societies. which have nearly run down.
can receive new life by this means" Moth
ing selfish about that! Another suggests
that tho fact fthese concerts being intended as
q celebration in honor of the Presidents re-
,t9.covery will cause them to be patronized
viz: Be grand advertisement for u little
speculation, and that only those who can
afford to buy tickets can have the privilege
of giving thanks. Let the bicycle races
roller-skate contests, and perhaps horse
racing, be put off for a more suspicious Occa
sion. Let the musical festival or musica
jubilee be postponed until it can be given
with success and be a credit to the Nations
Capital, and let us all meet upon one com
y, mon platform for one day, and be led by thu
Sabbath-schoOl children in singing hymni
of praise and thanksgiving to the grcat
Father of all for his infinite mercy in an
swering Nations prayers, and restoring tc
us our noble and beloved President to the
administration of the Government, t.
health, and to the bosom Of his family.
fIH(}f}t F.WfDDOws.
WASHINGTON, July 1S, 1881.