Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-25
THE GEORGETOWN AMATEUR OR.
CHESTRA.
How Leading Musical Organization
was Started-1fs Rapid Progress i'm
Membership and Musical Culture.

How q Leading Musical Organization
was Started-lfs Rapid Progress I'm
Membership and Musical Culture.
Among the many musical organizations
which have been formed in this District none
has ever made more rapid progress or is now
upon more solid footing than the Georgetown
Amateur Orchestra. Probably the three gen.
gemen who were the originators OF the aSsocia-
ton never dreamed that it would reach its
present proportions, and yet to-day they are as
enthusiastic in it's behalf as when they used to
meet simply for their own qualification and i'm
provement The history of this orchestra dates
back to 1877, when DR.. F. s. Barbarin, Mr.. H.
D. Cooke, jr., and Mr. c. s. Helm used to assem-
bic once week at the house of DR.. Barbarin
Ior musical practice. All three were fine mu-
sicians. enthusiastic in the art, but pursuing it
as recreation and pleasure in the evening,
after Their regular avocations of the day were
over. DIR. Barbarin played the violonceilo, Mr..
Cooke the violin. and Mr.. Helm the piano and
so they met week after week and played trios
Tor an hour or two. Then Mr.. L. III. Gibbs a
hutist, joined them, and instead of trios, quar-
teItes were INDUCED in.
The enjoyment experienced by these gentle
men, ana the Improvement they derived from
their practice attracted the attention of other
periorinerS, and so gradually their number in
creased until they found they had a very fair
orchestra Then an effort was made TO increase
the number. n formal organization was made,
MR.. r. C. BERNAYS
was selected as director, and the name of the
Georgetown Amateur Orchestra was selected.
All this was accomplished only after a number
of years. and it was not until January 10, 1882,
that the first concert of the organization was
given. Prior to appearing in public the most
careful and extended rehearsal had been given
to tie program selected so that the large audi
ence which was present in the Curtis school
DuIiu1ng on the occasion was surprised and de-
lighted at the precision and perfection of the
performance.
cians had ventured upon symphonic work. but
at its first concert this orchestra gave Haydn's
second symphony, the different movements of
which were presented with q finished and intel
ligent execution that challenged the admira-
ton OF the most accomplished musician.
THE PEOPLE OF GEORGETOWN
at once became enthusiastic in behalf of the new
orchestra, feeling an especial pride that it was
their own production, and applications for pas
sive membership were numerously made
month later, when the association gave its first
public rehearsal, at which the program of the
lirSt concert was repeated, the number of pas
siNe members had increased to forty-nine, and
tho permanency of the organization was as
Sured. 1t was then decided that all its concerts
should be complimentary to its passive men,
bers and their friends. and that four OF such
concerts should be given each season. The pas
SlNe members, however, were allowed the priv
llegc of attending all the rehearsalS should they
so desire. At first these concerts were held in
the Curtis school building in GEORGETOWN but
as the membership increased that hall was
found to be too small, and they have since taken
place IN the Congregational church Beside the
members of the orchestra who have sustained
SOLO parts at different times the orchestra has
been aided at its concerts by MIR. George Allen,
lr yiooncelliSt of Philadephia: Mrs; j. D. Par
slow. Mrs. Nellie McCartee, Nine. Annie Roe
mer-Kaspar, Mrs. 7. S. Chappell Messrs. Har-
vey A kohr, Francis II. Noyes, Il. ]. Whipple
and the Franz Abt Club.
ITS STEADY IMPROVEMENT
The orchestra has steadily improved in exc
cution until it will compare very favorably
with professional organizations of similar num-
bers, and the high character of its work is evil
denced from the excellence of its rendition of
Beethoven's 18th symphony at its last concert
two weeks ago In all the time of its existence
it has sought to keep steadily in view the prin-
cipal object of its organization, viz: the culture
of musical taste and effort to promote and
foster an interest in the study and practice of
the art. To that end its hours of practice have
frequently been devoted to even a more diff
cult and severely classical class of music than
and thus its individual and collective execu-
ton has greatly improved and even its own
standard raised. Two years ago Mr.. Bernays
retired rom the leadership: and Mr.. "A. Hayes
succeeded to the baton. The enthusiasm, en-
ergy, earnestness and musical culture of this
gentleman has been felt in all the work of the
orchestra under his direction.
WHO CoMPosEs THE ORCHESTRA
The orchestra at present is differed as fol-
lows: President, H. d. Cooke; secretary and
treasurer, +. II. Barbarin; conductor A. A.
Hayes; librarian, E. w. Stone: executive com
mittee, H. d. Cooke, c. s. Helm, John ID. Pat
ton, J. r. Hill T. H. Gibbs, E. Szemelenvi, Dr.
F. S. Barbarin and E. w. Stone. It will be
seen that the four original members have places
on the executive committee. The performers
whose excellent work justly entities them to
mention, are as follows: 1st violins-H. D.
Cooke, +. SZemelenyi, F. Weller, &c. Schaefer,
j. L. Hill, J. ID. Hoffman,, Anthony Fisher,
Tyler Nordlinger, Alex. de Nourgeiras Robt
CStearns, III. Rakeman, C. w. Curtis. ID vio-
lins-E. P. Upham, 7 E. Rogers, Carl Keferstein,
Rudolph c. Knoor, Emil kubel, ]. G. Fletcher
J. H. Mclean, J: Arthur Beebe, Edeson Gallau,
det ]. f. Hoy. Viola-W. H. Burr, George X.
Finckle, W; w. .Burbage, F. j. Pabst. Violon-
cello-I 7. Davis, ]. Ulke, A. F. Knoor, ]. H
Alexander, B. w. Crownnshied, E. A Finkle.
Contra bass-A. WTyler L. Brandt, H .Schuldt
Flute and piccolo-Edgar w. Stone, John Just
III. Lockwood Oboe-C $. Helm, c. Collins
Bassoon-H. Lavender, s. Lawton. Clarinet,
T. ]. McNamee, T. NJ. Fields. Cornet-Wm
Long, w. c. Shimoneck, J.R Gibson, - Whit
man. HOrn-N. D. Adams, I. E. Oertel. from
bone-F. H. Barbarin, w. G. Babcock. Tympa-
MA. w. Tyler, jr.
The passive membership now numbers 141
and there are two honorary members, Hon.
VIM. Hunter and Mr.. WV. Curtis. The George
town orchestra has another object in view,
which deserves the warmeSt encouragement
and that is the erection in the District Of suit
able music hall, the need of which is greatly
felt.