The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-16
LADIES PLEDGE
AID TO SCHEEL.
The LAST RALLY FOR THE SYM
PHONY ORCHESTRA PROM
Uses SUCCESS.
PARROT CALLS IT A DUTY
He SAYS PEOPLE OF MEANS SHOULD
GIVE LITERALLY TO GOOD
Music.

About 300 ladies rallied to the call of the
Metropolitan Musical Society by assem-
bling yesterday afternoon in the Audi
forum to devise ways and means to pre-
vent Scheel and his soloists from departing
from San Francisco.
In the dim religious light it was Just
possible to see that number of prominent
society women were present, particularly
those who are known to take an interest in
music. The audience made up in interest
what it lacked in numbers, and as one
woman declared, "These ladies are in earn
est and will probably carry the thing
through"
The orchestra opened with the overture
to "Mignon," which put every one in a
cheerful humor. After some remarks and
more music John Parrot and H. ].
Croker, who had been receiving the guests
at the entrance, took the platform.
"The nature of this meeting is pretty
generally understood" said John ParrottJ
"but it would be as well to state that we
have by no means come to the end of the
money on hand, though we have thought
it well to halt in our expenditure. You
all know it is next to impossible to carry
on concert during the summer, but in
order to keep the body of musicians here
tillnext season the only way seems to be
to solicit monthly subscriptions. We
have called the ladies to our assistance
not to keep the whole orchestra here, but
Mr.. Scheel and the solists."
The speaker then alluded in the highest
terms to Scheel's ability, adding: sit is
our duty to retain him here in order to
develop our music. This must be looked
upon as a sowing time. We are pioneers
in music here, and from those who have
means to literally support art we look for
the greatest generosity. 1t is duty.
Those who have children to educate ought
to know that hearing good orchestral
music is essential to a musical education.
We have done what we could, but we GER
tainly counted on a little more support.
The general public is always an uncertain
quantity, but We expected more from the
few who are lovers of music"
After this homiIy, Mr.. Parrott unfolded
his plan of raising money. The subscrip-
lions are to be payable monthly, and win
range from 81 to S.. Those who wish to
give more than So can put the name of
some friend or relation on the card. In
addition to the subscription cards, the
ladies present were furnished with books
to canvass for the modest monthly sub
scriptlOn among their friends.
Henry J. Croker, before reading the
would rather have people at the concert
than money in subscriptions. The present
subscriptions are more as a guarantee to
the musicians that they will get their
money when we engage them next season !;
it is not to be spent Immediately" When
asked by one of the ladies what the cost of
keeping the soloists during the summer
months would probably amount to, the
reply was: About $500 month"
The following financial statement was
read: Total amount of subscriptions to the
Metropolitan Musical Society, $47S3;
money taken at the box-otfice, $2354 total
disbursements, $62l4 90; balance on hand,
1922 60. Over $1,000 has yet to come in for
subscriptions. which will swell the receipts
by that amount; at the same time the
expenses for this week were not included
in the disbursement. They will probably
amount to nearly $1,000 but the receipts
from last nights concert and the ones to-
night and tomorrow go to swell the funds
of the society and leave it, when every
thing is finally settled, with balance on
hand.
Almost without exception the ladies
present filled in the cards for monthly
subscriptions of sums varying from 81 to
s., or else took books to solicit subscrip-
ton from friends.