Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-08
GIVEN APLAIN TALK.
Or. McAWs ADDRESS BEFORE MEM
BERS OF MOZART ASSOCIATION.
He Refers to the Cultivation Of Musical
Taste and Urges the Need Of
Heartier support.

The annual meeting of the members of
the Richmond Mozart Association was held
in the Academy OF Music last night. The
president, DIR. ]. B. McCsw, made his an
nual report. This was not written, but
took the form of speech.
DR.. McCaw said that he had urged the
members to come TO the meeting in order
that he might have plain talk with
them; good confidential talk regarding the
condition of the association, its needs, and
its prospects. IL was due the members
that thcy should sec and understand the state OF
things.
The association, he said. had done great work
In educating the musical taste Of Richmond. IL
was affOrdng the people music which ten years
ago would have been wondered at, but Is now
criticised Now tho trouble was 10 get music
good enough for the people. What an evolution
from tho FOurth-street horribesl
THE EVOLUTION or BUsIcAL TASTE.
That organization was the genesis Of the evolu-
tion OF n musical taste and demand for good
music, the compliance with which often drew into
the Academy on musicale nights representa-
tiyes from twelve 20 fifteen States. Thirteen
States now have musical associations based on
the charter Of the Mozart.
The speaker then called the attention OF his
/ audience 70 the building and asked them where
would they find handsomer one for its purpose
| In Virginia. Where would they find better
auditorium? The members did not, however,
he said, understand how all this was
accomplished, and therefore he wanted
them 20 come together and talk IL
| over. At ridiculously low cost the Mozart As
sociation had in the last twelve or eighteen
| months brought 70 the city an amount OF musl-
cal talent that was astonishing. But II the peo-
| pie wanted music they must pay for IL. II was
Ike every other commodity. LOOK at Marie
Decca. few years ago she was known here as
| little May johnson. Now she could command
her own prices for singing.
FIFTY THOUSAND II THE BUILDING.
How could the people have the best music
He repeated, Pay for II. The association had
run down 20 n membership OF 400. That meant
$400 per month for music. IL was impossible y
procure the best talent for that The Board oil
Governors and their friends erected the building.
Fifty thousand dollars was represented in 1t.
They gave IL 10 the association for nurcGes free.
What the association needed, what II must have,
was 600 or 800 paying members. Let each one
Of the paying members bring In new one and
the Music Committee would give them such
music as they had never had before. When he
thought Of the struggles Of the Board OF Cover
nors 10 keep the association going ne wondered
that IL had not broken down.
APPRECIATE THE sITCATI0Y.
Yet, said the Doctor with enthusiasm, he did
not believe that IL would go down II the people
| could only be brought 20 appreciate the situa-
| tion. Give the Musical Committee 600 and
| they would spend 10 in music, but givo them
| Oulg VIOO anu tlbg npAiA hefV w bNA NASAb
| with that.
The Doctor next called attention 20 n very pop
| ular error and one that initiates very strongly
| against a more general pecuniary support OF the
association. People understood, he said, that
| the Academy was rented at from $4,000 70
| 10000 per aunum, and looked upon this az an
| association revenue. The fact was that the
Academy was built by a few, was an elephant,
and IL cost about $4,000 per annum TO run It.
| The rent went for insurance, taxes interest,
| &c. The association had no recourse from the
| Academy and must be self-sustaining Another
error was that because the muS3cdies had large
audiences the association should have money. A
I membership Of two hundred could under the
privileges of their tickets put 1,2OO people in the
house.
The Doctor closed with an earnest appeal that
| each member labor 10 secure new members
| emphasized the fact the Academy buildings
| rent could not be used topay for musical talent
| and iterated in eloquent terms his praise OF the
| tremendous impulse that has been given by the
organization TO raising the standard OF musical
! taste in the community.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
After the general meeting the Board Of Gov.
| ernors assembled and elected the following OH
| GERS for the ensuing year: President, DR.. j. b.
| McCaw; Vice-President, II. i. Edmond; Secre
| tary, james W. Pegram Treasurer Z. a. Catln
| 1t is tho determination OF the board and all thI
| other members who we're present 70 bend every
energy 10 increase the membership TO |OO oi