Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-09
THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Nj. E q. Droop Talks About the Progress
Of the Organization
The Need Of ItfPelt Here and the
Work PERFORMED by Mr.. Rakemann .
In Collecting the Musicians.

=
the musicians of Washington" said Mr.. E.
H. Droop to Star reporter. that I am
thankful for the good words that have
been said in regard to the Washington
Symphony Orchestra, although I confess
it is no more than what expected. The
organization of >such an orchestra Is in the
line Of progress that Washington has been
making in musical art Those who attend
the concerts have no idea of the great
amount Of labor which has been necessary
to place the Choral Society, the George
town Orchestra and other organizations on
the footing which they enjoy. The choral
in former years had piano accompaniment;
today this is inadequate. Mr.. Herman
Rakemann, former conductor of the George
town, steps forward as leader of the
Choral Society Orchestra-think of 1t. our
own orchestra, supporting our own choral
society, and both led by competent men.
Rakemann is musician and business man.
and this combination is rarely found in one
person. He proposes to found perma-
nent symphony orchestra, composed of pro-
fessional musicians of Washington. His
proposition is based upon the wishes of
lovers of the divine art, who for years
have expressed a desire that we have our
own symphony orchestra, that like New
York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore
We might have our own organization of
professional men, who would give us five or
the finest compositions of The old and mod
ern masters. This if accomplished, will
prove of inestimable value to us, as the
symphony Orchestra, by receiving proper
encouragement, will be enabled to put the
price for its concerts to a minimum, and
thus enable every one devoted to or fond
OF music to attend. So many who would
now near other great organizations, which
visit us during the winter, cannot do so. as
their means will not allow or permit them.
The proposition Is a noble one, as 1t Is in
the interest of musical humanity. My
friend Rakemann spread his plans before
me and after mature consideration l was
more than ever convinced that 1t could be
done, and there was only one way in
which to accomplish 1t. namely, to ap-
peal to our musical friends asking them to
help us to found q guarantee fund in or
der that we might have a solid footing to
work upon. I've sent out over a thousand
personal applications for assistance, but
the result has not been satisfactory. We
are going to dc this thing with a late in
the nineteenth century idea Yes the
greatest number of our men will be taken
from among our midst. People haven't any
idea what a great coterie of fine players
exists In Washington; all they need Is
training under a skilled hand, and if you
combine with experience youthful enthus-
iasm coupled with mature thought why,
the result cannot be otherwise than good
In the first place, We need $3.50 to begin
operations with. We intend giving our first
concert in Metzerott Hall. About $500 has
already been subscribed and should the en-
terprfse prove a permanent affair the names
of those who have SO generously aided us
Will be handed down to posterity as the
founders and hackers of the Washington
symphony Orchestra. 1t makes ME weary
to note that so many of the people who in
years past have been the hardest k,ckers for
local orchestra should now be ma king all
manner of excuses because I've called on
them for n subscription.
I'VE are already IN correspondence with
some of the leading isoloists of the country
and shall endeavor to present a novelty in
the way of an artist at each concert. Our
programs will be carefully arranged and cal
culated to please everybody. Here's SAM
pie for the first concert
Merry Wives of Windsor overture or Will
liam Tell overture; Grand Aria Cor either
pass, tenor or Soprano, Chopin'S + minor
or Greg A minor; concerto by a remark
able pianist and pupil of Moszkowski; Zee
thoven or Mozart or Schubert symphony
vocal numbers; LArlessfenne. Iinte or Sc
lectionS from Hansel and Graetel-TIumper-
dink new OPERA
Mr.. Droop has received subscriptions and
letters containing encouraging expressions
in regard to this enterprise from a large
number of people prominent In social and
business as we'll as musical circles, mary
whom may be named: Chas. Baum, VIM.
b. King, Mrs. Stilson Hutchns, DIR. Rey-
burn, Miss Mary Helen Carroll, Berah Will
kins. Geo. c. Graham, ]. w. Lowndes,
Requard Schroeder Miss Lucy NJ F'olger,
&. w. McLanahan, E. NJ Riker S. II. Kauff-
mann, Mrs. Hearst Mrs. Justice Gray Maj.
Powell, Mr.. Anthony Pollock, Mrs. Gardiner
Hubbard, Mr.. Nicolas Lu1ner Miss Amy
Leavitt. A NJ. Lothrop Mrs. Mills, Isadore
Saks, Miss Nordhoff, Miss Sitgreaves, Mrs
Hitz, Mrs; Mcguire, Mrs. Robbins, Mrs.
Warder. Miss Lehman. Miss Slower Mrs.
Hoeke. Mrs. Kendall. Col. Blount, Mr. Brad
ley, Mr.. John Kasson, Maj. Winship, Miss
Kibley Mrs. Coyle. Mrs. Cross, Mr.. Parker
Mann, Miss Johnston, Mrs. Deane and Mr.
Pilling.
The subscription list is still at Mr. Droop's.