The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-24
THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
The Spirit of the Organization and It's
Practical Aims.

The aesthetic value and artistic sig
nifcance of the Symphony Orchestra have
been, at various times, set forth by the
Indianapolis press; most recently in a
strong and lucid letter of my colleague, Mr..
Edwin Farmer, which appeared in these
columns some weeks ago. 1t might be we'll,
however, that the public should know
something of the practical aims of the So
ciety, which has been founded to support
and advance the interests of this orchestra,
and how this society proposes to work
toward the accomplishment of it's ends The
impression seems to obtain in certain quar-
ters that the Symphony Society is a socie-
ty of musicians, and some persons hesitate
on that account 10 give their names as
members, not feeling themselves eligiblS
to such membership. This impression is
both erroneous and unfortunate. and it is
one of the purposes of this communica-
ton to correct that idea. The Symphony
Society is no more a musical society than
the board of guarantors of the May Music
Festival. 1t is a society inviting the men,
bership of all those who are interested in
a permanent orchestra, which shall belong
to the city of Indianapolis; which shall en-
joy the fostering support of indianapolis
citizens, and which, it is hoped. shall grow
orchestra CT the highest class.
For two years Mr.. Karl Schneider. who
founded the orchestra carried the financial
burden attendant upon supporting it and
giving concerts of high order, alone and
unaided. His courage and perseverance
called forth much admiration on the part
of many interested in orchestral music and
who enjoyed with a deep enjoyment the
The financial deficit in each season was a
very considerable one for one man to car
ry, especially as he had at the same time
to perform all the onerous duties connected
with training the orchestra and conducting
the concerts, and gave so much time for
which he received no return whatever.
When il became known accordingly at the
beginning of this season that Mr.. Schneider
did not feel longer justified in carrying this
great burden alone. number of patrons of
the concerts, unwilling to see Indianapolis
make retrograde movement in its music
ing to collapse for want of support, decided
TO form a society which should assume the
financial burdens OF the enterprise, and, if
possible, make it a self-supporting success.
Mr. Schneider. of course, remains as di-
rector of the orchestra as Is eminently fit
ting that he should. Moreover, he asks not
a cent of remuneration for all his work and
expenditure of time connected with the
artistic management of the concerts, re-
hearsals, etc. But Ii is no longer Mr..
Schneiders orchestra; it is the Symphony
Orchestra of Indianapolis. 1t is in the
hands of the citizens of lndianapolis-their
to foster, encourage and develop, or theirs
to neglect and allow TO go down. The an
Rual dues for membership in the society are
81. Any citizen OF Indianapolis, by payment
OF 81. can become a member of the society
and have voice and vote in all the delibera-
tons and acts of the society.
The receipts for membership dues and all
donations to the society, outside Of the sale
Of season tickets, Of which ! shall speak