Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-06-13

CLUBS anu ORGANIZATIONS
A representative Of The GAZETTE
called on Music Director 7. Leslie Car.
penter recently for the purpose Of learn
lug something of his views on tho music
situation in Wilmington. Within tile
past two months Mr.. Carpenter has
made an enviable reputation here in his
able leadership of two classical concerts
and two productions of the "Mikado."
Mr.. Carpenter was found hard at
work in the construction of a new
morning and evening service for
Episcopal Church use. He was in tho
hest OF spirits and when asked to talk
on the subject OF music rs il is here ex-
pressed himself glad of tile opportunity.
"As far back Us | can remember" he
said, "there has always been cry that
Wilmington is not musical city. The
leading artists of the world have come
here and gone, and but few people have
known even of their existence. In
some instances, the receipts have not
been sufficient to pay for che lighting
Of the house. So poorly have these
people been supported here that tho
name Wilmington, Dell is found on
the blacklist of every manager Of true
artists in New York, and this city is
never touched excepting ON off nights
81 am glad to say however, that our
home amateur organizations have been
better treated, and | sincerely believe
that it is through their influence that
the taste Of the people for good music
is beng so highly cultivated in this city.
"The Willard Club must be given the
credit of the early pioneer, and often
| feel an inclination to weep when occa.
sionally | have the honor Of meeting
with them TO assist them in rendering
their last sad tribute to deceased
member.
"Then came the Tuesday Club, and
with it new era-oratorio For ten
years our people were taught the
beauties Of the highest class of vocal
music, inteFspersed with good class ot
light music, and they were benefited.
The Tuesday Club had its day and went
down, and long live its memory !-forit
did more for the advancement of music
in this city than the citizens themselves
are aware Of The cause OF the disband.
ing of the Tuesday Club was the lack OF
active and not OF financial support.
Now we have the Wilmington
Chorus of 60 voices, the object of which
! Is W GltNdlt lllt IllublCul III
city. must say that the people OF WI
mipgton have been somewhat tardy in
recognizing this organization to the eX-
tent they should. Ii is true the weather
was eXcusable to a degree on the occa-
! sion OF both our concerts. But we are
i h 1t discouraged. On the contrary we
have everything to hope for. and have
come to stay. Why, look at these let
| tptch aud ~ pnn1untnr hnnhpH
the reporter handful OF them from
music people who had heard the concert
on Monday evening, congrutulating the
Wilmington Chorus upon having given
the finest chorus work every heard in
this city. Many of the letters We're
: from the most faithful and true members
Of the Tuesday Club.
. "These people seem very much i'm
I, pressed with your melody and har-
mony ~ the reporter remarked
G at seems so. AT any rate, these let
n tiers and the newspaper criticisms show
r that our reputation is made, and now
hope we will have the proper support.
a do not know Just what plan will be
n adopted, but think the board of direc-
/, tors will open contributing member
& list, similar to tina; of the tuesday Clut
and the Willard Club. | fed sure that
i. this city, with its population Of 10000
q a large percentage Of whom are cultured
=. people, contains enough public.spirited
citizens to insure the Wilmington
' Chorus the proper support, SO as 10 give
g at least one concert of the two pei
i season, with a grand orchestra.
at is u great pity that this country
Il unlike the countries of the old world
= has never seen fit to educate its peopll
musicaliy, ont of the funds of the gov
l. ernncnt, and throw the doors open Il
j. the public free Of charge or at u nomina
or fee. Our country is very generous il
2, free education, III perhaps nearly every
thing but music. Therefore our onl
rs course IN this city is 10 ask our public
IN spirited citizens to help us moderated
10 by becoming contributing members at
ot small cost, thereby insuring us agains
Is loss"
"Wbat about the Opera Club mex
in season."
&c Il am glad you mentioned that" MI
al Carpenter said, "many people arc undo
r. the false impression that the Whining
lie ton Chorus and the Wilmington Oper
Club are the same organization. Sue
q is not the case, although the Opera Gu
~ contains about 20 Wilmington Choru
ne singers. Inluk lueIt Will ue Opbl
rs next season, and ! will promise you this
II lirstclass comic opera will be selected
The people seem to want it, and | bt
lieve that it is stepping-stone to somt
70 thing higher, while it furnishes O.
no ccilent entertainment for one and all.
~ "There are other organizations whic
"a think arc deserving Of great credi
s o.. The Delaware Sengerhund is the olde
living musical organization in this Gil
and | am told they are doing eXcellel
IA, work under their new director I'll
'e- Ferd Fullmer Male Chorus has dor
&C. what no other society has accomplish
ng in giving to the people of Wilmingtc
~ two concerts by the Seidl Orchestra, a
ID, though at financial loss, bcsid
numerous concerts of their own chOru
of Tho West End Choral Society has bee
of all excellent school for its members, al
lia the Columbian Glee Club has delightt
re. large audiences on many occasions.
mt, II really believe that with the suppo
es, of the public, Wilmington will 500
in stand in line unsteady with sister Cit
of the north and east. That is my hop
at and shall try to do my part to bril-
It 3 about such Il consummaton."
ary a. Storck s. Co.'s planning mill al