Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-12
IN MUSICAL CIRCLES
Interest Excited by the Discussion of the
Need Of Music Hall.
Progress I'm Forming O Local SYM
phony Observation-Disclosures as
to the Georgetown Organization.

The discussion Of a music hall which has
been brought about in connection with the
proposed new building for the Y. M. C. A.
has served one good purpose. 1t has I'm
pressed the people Of Washington with the
eed of such a hall, and prominent mu-
sicians outside of Washington, but who
come here during the concert season, have
become interested in the subject and are
willing to add their testimony to the alb
soute necessity Of a music hall In the ma
tioral capital which shall be sufficiently
large to permit the successful presentation
Of oratorio or other great choral works.
1t should be built with especial reference
to correct acoustic properties, and be
equipped with full organ that could be
used for accompaniment or solo purposes,
and with stage big enough to accommo-
date chorus Of 400. Walter Damrosch is
need of SUCH hall, and Mr.. Chas. A. Ellis,
who will have charge of Nine. Melba's
tour, said that he wished Washington could
have such a hall.
pect of securing building of the descrip-
ton desired, but the discussion of its neces-
sity is good thing. The organization that
suffers most from the lack of an adequate
music hall Is the Choral Society. This body
has given oratorio for twelve seasons and
it has always been at a disadvantage. 1t
was hoped that Convention Hall would be
available for oratorio, but the experience
last winter convinced the board of directors
that 1t would not be advisable to again go
there in cold weather. The program for
the coming season has not yet been arrang.
ed, but it will include 1.-The Messiah" of
course and also Saint Saens' Samson
and Dellah," which it was not able to
give last spring, owing to the impossibility
OF securing competent orchestra.
This difficulty will probably now be over
come in way that will prove gratifying
rot only to the Choral Society. but to the
general Washington public. Mention has
already been made of the efforts of Mr.
Herman Rakemann to form symphony
orchestra of local musicians, and it is be
ieved that he will succeed. He has con-
suited with the best musicians and is salts
ned that he can secure an orchestra of
from forty to fifty picked men who will
compare favorably with any similar num-
Der in any city. Mr.. Rakemann believes
that this orchestra will not only be able to
the Choral Society. but that it can give
symphony concerts on its own account,
which will commend themselves to the mu-
slc-ioving people. Such an enterprise as
mas been undertaken by Mr.. Rakemann
should receive prompt and hearty support
II Washington can have a symphony or
chestra of its own the efforts of such a
BODY should be encouraged and aided in the
most substantial manner. No organiza-
ton of such a character can live unless it
receives outside assistance, beyond the
patronage of its concerts, in the early
DAYS OF it's history.
The man who founded the Roston syn.
phony Orchestra, the best body of musi-
clans OF Its size in the world, spent $3.50
ooo before the enterprise became self-sup-
porting. There is no man in Washington
unfortunately, who would put out that
much money, or any considerable portion
OF II, to start symphony orchestra here
but there ought to be a hundred who would
subscribe five or ten collars each to secure
such an enterprise against loss at the out
set.
While upon this subject it may be stated
that it Is very uncertain whether the
Georgetown Orchestra will be able to come
together for work next season. 1t is to be
hoped that some means may be found to
continue the life of an organization that
has had most creditable career for four
teen years 1t has been an educator of
the public In orchestral music, and it would
be sad commentary upon the musical
culture of Washington If it should be al
lowed to die for lack of proper support.
Some of its officers are men of means. and
could easily bring it out of its present diff
ficulties Some of the members have been
with the orchestra from the very COM
mencement. and have worked faithfully in
Its interest. They would feel keenly its
disarmament now.
1t Is believed that the next season will
be brighter in every respect than was the
last, and 1t is hoped that when the time
for the assembling Of me Georgetown Or
chestra for it's winter work arrives, some
satisfactory arrangements LOT llS COutluu-
ance may be made.
Mrs Thomas C. Noyes VIII sing In Rich
mond tonight under the auspices of
the Mozart Association. One of her selec-
tons will be the cavatina from "Ernani."
in which she has been heard with so much
pleasure here
Mrs H H Mills and Miss Lolita Mills
are spending the month of August at Water
Mills, L. /.
Mr. Fred. Lillebridge left Thursday for
Rfpon, Wis, where he will assume charge
of the musical department Of the Female
College at that place.
At recent musical fete at Congress
Hall, Cape May, Miss Blanche Wood of
this city sang several solos, and also a
duet with Mr.. Woodcock. She was SPLEEN
didly received by the audience. and was also
warmly complimented by NJ. Guile, the
popular tenor. who participated in the pro-
gram.
It is understood that Paderewski will be
here early in December, and will be heard
in at least one recital and perhaps two.
The great Polish pianist is said to be in
splendid form now, and his playing will
when he was last heard in Washington.
Nine. Melba and her concert company will
be heard in this city next season at the
Grand Opera House.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra will be-
gin its series of concerts in this city about
the middle of November.
Mr.. Willie Green, the son of Mr.. Bernard
Green, the superintendent of the construc-
ton of the new Congressional Library
building, has gone to Germany to complete
his study Of the violin. He has made great
progress here. under the instruction of
abroad to avail himself OF the great mas
tiers in Berlin. Mr.. Lee Crandall will prob
ably go abroad next month.