The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-02-10
EAk0 j MUSlG.
Greenvilleites Didn't Know
When Two Parts Of Piece
We're Played at Once.
So CONCERT MASTER SAYS
Thiesen's Orchestra Inharmo-
NOUS in More Ways
Than One.

If some people are to be believed, there
is harmony neither in the Thiesen Anna
teur Orchestra of Greenville or in the
music rendered by that organization. II
all the rumors floating about are true the
orchestra will soon disband. OF late there
have been many designations, and among
them were those of some of the most
proficient members.
1t is all due, it is said, to the stand
taken by a number of younger members
who have but recently become affiliated
with the orchestra. These novices are of
lthe opinion that they are entitled to play
first violin, and they always wish to &C.
cups prominent positions on the platform
when the concerts are held. This the older
and more expert musicians could not toll
crate.
Mr.. George Thiesen, the leader, who has
spent much time and money TO perfect
the orchestra n train the young men,
is silent about the trouble. He refuses
to discuss the matter. He has worked
indefatigably for the success of this once
prosperous orchestra.
The orchestra was organized about ten
years G o and in that time it has passed
through many successful periods. The
slump came last summer. The story is
best told by one of the members who re-
Gently resigned. He says
The concert given last summer in the
Greenville Schuetzen Park was a success
in one respect-the atfendance-but the
selections rendered were frightfully poor.
One number was awfully mangled because
of the lack of rehearsals. We had a rule
tho +bnSa xrho bo1 not q +4orla1 thraa ro.
hearsals previous to a concert could not
participate. This rule was not enforced,
and consequently the concerts ave not
been as successful as they might be TN
der different circumstances.
The selection became so tangled up
that the bass pieces were playing the be-
ginning while the others had finished
about one-half of the numbe In order
to smooth matters over / called out to
several to start over again, which was
done. Forsthis I was called down by
the leader, which shows how ones ser
vices are appreciated. This mistake was
never noticed by the audience. Since
then I, as concert-master, always worked
to have the rehearsals run off harmoni-
ously. but the members would not come
W ecbo- 8N
claimed the right to take part in the con-
certs, and they invariably wanted to
occupy the most prominent positions on
the platform.
Because these requests were refused,
dissension arose among the younger mem
bers and The faction still exists. That is
the reason why the older members have
quietly dropped out. The best c~ellists.
violinists and cornet players have left be-
cause Of the overbearing manner of the
young fellows, who now predominant.
"At the recent election held about the
first of the year, a movement was started
to dispose me as concertmaster, because
1 had not shown Partially in some cases,
but I made no attempt to stem the time.
When matters went thus far I came to
the conclusion that it was time to get out.
This 1 did.
st is my opinion hat with the present
condition of affairs existing, the orchestra
will undoubtedly disband very shortly. I
don't believe the coming concert will be
a success because of the differences of
opinion prevailing. There is nc such
thing as harmony, and l am in a position
to say this without any hesitation. There
is Jealousy galore, and the present con-
certmaster has acknowledged that he
knew nothing about the position he occu-
pies. These young fellows want things
their own way, but unless their aspird-
tions are curbed somewhat the orchestra
will become a thing of the past.
" 1t is rather hard to see this once sue
cessful orchestra in such a predicament,
when one recalls the prosperous periods
it has passed through"
Another matter which has caused some
discussion, is the music furnished for
the concert recently, held for the benefit
Of the German Hospital Association.
under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid
weeks ago in Columbia Hall, G~reenville.
Mr.. George Council, late of the Thiesen
Orchestra, has organized an orchestra,
and he furnished music gratuitously. All
who participated volunteered their SER
vices. In Mr.. Connell's orchestra there
were several member OF the Thiesen
Orchestra. When it became known that
Mr.. Cornell was to furnish the music,
the Thiesen members were approaced and
asked to leave Council in a predicamenJ.
Two left. but the other three remained.
Mr.. George Thiese ! who is president of
the Hospital Association. feels that his
orchestra was snubbed. Other members
are inclined to think the same thing.
Mr.. Thiesen refused to attend the con-
cert because of this. He will say nothing
about it,.