Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-23
The Need Of a Great Music Hall.
VIEWS OF PROF. wIDDows-

To the Editor of The Star:
feel very much gratified that the necessity
for large music hall in this city is beginning to
be recognized and appreciated by some of our
best citizens. 1 have-as you know-been
agitating, for the last two or three years. the
building of a large nall, where musical festivals.
concerts, balls, and public meetings and con-
Venti0ns can be held. and now the question of
building in which to hold grand Jubilee upon
the recovery of our President to health is being
suggested. there is not one large enough or ap-
proprate for the purpose. trust. now that the
necessity has arisen, our public spirited citizens
who have the means, will favorably consider the
suggestions have so often made through the
columns of the press, for the building Of a music
hall capable of accommodating 2.50Oto 300Oper-
sons. and with conservatory of music attached
Tor the cultivation and training Of those desrous
OF receiving thorough musical education The
cost of putting up such building would not
exceed $50 600. including the land and which
could be raised in shares of S25 each. The
pronts OF the conser, atory of music would
nearly cover the expenses of running the hall.
leaving the receipts from the rent of the hall
from which to draw a good interest for the
money invested. During the building of the
hall the various musical societies and other
singers and musicians of the District could be
formed into musical festival association and
commence preparations for grand musical
festival or jubilee. to take place when the
building is completed, and then-if necessary
the societies of other cities could be invited to
unite with us in the Inauguration of our music
hall and thereby to lay the foundation for max
ing the Nations Capital the art center
of the country. Those who propose a
musical festival as thanksgiving
Offering have very little knowledge Of
the amount of work to be DONE or the prepa-
rations necessary to make it grand success If
two days are recommended by the committee of
governors for the thanksgiving, the Philhar-
monic Society, with 9th musicians of the Dis
trict, can arrange for the second day a grand
open-air concert, consisting of thanksgiving
anthems and chOruses including Thanks be to
Cod from Elijah, and the Grand Hallelujah
Chorus, the same as was done at the yellow
fever concerts the entire management to be
placed in the hands of the board of officers of the
philharmonic Society. and they could add to
their number other musicians i'm order to make
it success. This would be good working
committee. There is no necessity for a figure
head committee. who might possibly anticipate
some fat office for the privilege. The afternoon
of the first day of the thanksgiving ceremonies,
the Sabbath school children would take part;
the superintendent of the various Sabbath
schools to appoint committee to carry out that
part of the program. As there is no doubt tine
committee of governors will suggest some time
in October, that being the season when there is
less likelihood of rain the most beautiful part of
the thanksgiving celebration will be the assem-
bling of eight or ten thousand Sabbath school
children under the broad canopy of heaven. when
autumn is clothing the earth with her most
beautiful and variegated garments and when
the lovely autumnal sky shall reecho the songs of
praise and thanksgiving from the lips of ten
thousand children. as it did when the angels of
old proclaimed "Glory to God in the highest.
and on earth peace, good will to men"
+. WDDOwS.
JULY % 1881