Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-28
IN M U StCAL ClRCL ES
, = t'.--- - -
Interest Felt 'in.ths1 Proposed Local SYM
n ,Dnf phonJ Orchestra o.
Mr.. Rakemann Actively at Work for
the First COncert-A New String
-. Orchestra ON Capitol Hill.

The project of a local symphony orchestra
has commended itself to every true mu-
stefan in the city, and Mr.. Herman Rake
mann, who has undertaken its formation,
has received warm encouragement on all
sides. Now that he has returned from his
wedding tour he has entered upon the work
with new interest and enthusiasm The en-
terprse is one that involves not only mu-
sicanly ability and skill a director. but
tact i'll the handling of the men who are to
compose the orchestra and in harmonizing
conflicting interests. All these qualities
Mr.. Rakemann possesses, and besides, he
is thoroughly in earnest, believing that
Washington possesses sufficient good ma
terial to form symphony orchestra that
snail at least be as good as that which
comes over here from Baltimore, and if it
shall hang together there is no reason why
IL should not equal any similar body in the
country. This is a point that has been
urged in these columns over and over
again, and the only obstacle suggested was
the proper man to assemble these musicians
INTO one organization. Mr.. Rakemann
seems TO be just the one. and the energy
and discretion he has displayed so far in
dicates pronounced success.
1t is intended to give a concert by the
new orchestra about the middle of Novem-
Der, when the public of Washington will
have an opportunity to hear what the new
orchestra can do. The program will be one
as crafty mLsic-loving people. 1t is pro-
posed to test the interest of the public in
TINS new venture by making it subScrip-
ton affair, and the list has been placed at
| Drcop's, as Mr.. e. H. Droop will have
| charge of the business end of the symphony
| orchestra. 1t is expected that the response
| will be generous, and that long before the
| time set for the concert it's financial sue
| cess will be assured.
IF Rev.. DIR. Talmage comes to the First
Presbyterian Church." said well-known
| musician, he will never be satisfied with
| its present choir. l think there may be
| some good voices in it, but the work is old
fashioned, and what DR.. Talmage will want
will be an up-to-date choir, good voices,
| well trained, under competent leadership
and supported by a musicianly as we'll as a
| technical organist. With such a preacher
| as Talmage the people who will compose
| the congregation of that church will be
| satisfied with nothing but first-class choir,
and they will probably get it. Do you
choir as business Investment. 1t attracts
| people to the church, and they contribute
| by their offerings on the plate to the reva-
| nues. A good preacher alone will not make
a church prosper if he Is handicapped by a
! bad choir; nor can a first-class choir insure
| a full attendance when the congregation
| has to listen to a dull and lifeless preacher.
| But given a brilliant pulpit orator and a
| choir composed of educated singers and the
| success of any church Is assured"
Prof Emil Mort of this city has composed
| and dedicated to Mr.. Charles b. Hanford a
| "Virginius' oN erture, which was played for
the first time in Wilmington, Del, last Mon
| day evening onthefoccasion of the opening
of Mr.. Hanfords starring tour. 1t is a COM
| position of much merit and was highly COM
| mended by thu press of that city. Prof.
| Mcri also wrote a Neritian barcarole, which
was sung by the Lovetta Quartet in the
| Merchant of Venice, and this composition
| is thoroughly characteristic and very me-
| tedious. Prof Mort himself led the or
| chestra.
| Miss Lolita Mills will leave next Tuesday
| for New York, where she will make her
| home in the future. All the young women
| who have gone from here to the metropolis
| to pursue a musical career have achieved a
creditable amount of success, and Miss
| Mills, with her undoubted talent and her
| splendid culture as a pianist, will surely ac-
| qure 10th fame and fortune Miss Mills
| will not teach, but will devote herself exclu-
| sively to concert work.
| Mr.. Eugene Stevens, who is well remem-
| bered as the former efficient secretary of
| the Choral Society, is now one of the board
| of directors of the Vocal Society of Cleve-
| land, Ohio, in which city he is now residing.
He will undoubtedly prove as valuable in
| shaping the success Of that organization as
he was in keeping alive the society here.
| The Capitol Hill String Orchestra was Or
| ganiZed last Monday evening in the new
Masonic Hall on Capitol Hill. by several