National Republican., 1886-10-26
The Washington Symphonic Orchestra

The Washington symphonic Orchestra.
Within the past few months movements
Of various degrees Of interest aud import
ance have been set on foot for the develop
meut Of Washington's material resources.
The three.fold exposition project has been
received throughout the country with un-
expected enthusiasm, and the national drill
for next year, which, it is computed, will
attract more than million visitors to this
city, is, so far as financial arrangements go,
already an accom- plishel fact. New roads
and avenues are being opened up, and there
are serious rumors of new bridges and i'm
proved water supply. Real estate is "boom-
iDg'' and the local newspapers are calling
loudly for factories and other great iu-
dustrial works. In fact Washington has
never known period of such strenuous
effort on the part of its public men to build
up the business interests of the city aud
place 1t on level with the great CONNER
cial centers.
But men and women cannot live by com
merce alone. There is a life OF social inter
course and Of the home, as well as that OF
the store, the street, the factory, the capt
tol, and the various departments of
government. Residents Of WASHINGTON
want the best art products that can be pro.
cured by labor, skill, and proportionate out
lay Of money. Music, as the most elevating
of the arts, comes in for the first and great.
est share Of attention, and we note with
gratitude that practical and energetic
measures are now being taken for the pros
motion of musical culture.
There has been for long time desire
that there should be afforded in this city an
opportunity for pursuing musical educa-
tion in its higher development and as
profession. instrumental music as Offering
new opening for women, since it has be.
come admissible for girls to learn to play
upon the violin, has been desired by those
! having the interests Of women workers
| especially at heart.
Within few days an organization has
been effected which has for its purpose the
encouragement and support of an orchestra
for men and women musicians. 1t is pro-
posed that the organization shall comprise
active and passive members. Tue active
members to be the musicians, of whom
there are at present some forty five enrolled,
and the passive members to aid by pay
ment Of dues and the Attendance upon the
concerts to be given in aid Of various chari
ties.
The names OF Maj Powell. chief of the
government surveys, rs president; Mrs. Col.
Mallery as vice president; Mr.. Curtis j.
Ilillyer, jr., as treas urer, aud Miss Holmes,
as secretary, with Mr.. Bernays, the well.
known leader, as director of the orchestra
give assurance that the new enterprise Ii
well launched. Mr.. Cabell has kindly
offered the use Of the large music room Of
his school, at the corner of Fourteenth
street and Massachusetts avenue, for prac
tCe,
Such an association has long beel
needed in this city, and there is no doub
that under the direction as here annouuceC
1t will meet with cordial support from tn
musc-loving people Of the capital. Detail
of the organization will be provided in
few days, and we have no doubt that wheI
} interest in this matter has once been fairl,
aroused the movement will keep pace witt
all the successful developments in other di
, rectiOns.