Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-14

Gus. The many social attractions make
regular attendance at rehearsals very diff
cult while the shifting nature of our popu-
lation prevents the permanence of men,
bership which other cities can more easily
secure.
The absence of any suitable place for the
concerts Is 4 very serious drawback. The
authorities of the Congrega tional Church,
recognizing the educational work of the So
ciety, have allowed the use of their audi
forum and organ. thus enabling the con-
certS to be given for several years past
when otherwise they would have been of
necessity abandoned for want of place.
As at eight of the last nine performances
the house has been entirely sold out the in
diCationS are now very plain that public
support would be given to much larger
extent if larger auditorium, and cOnse-
quently larger receipts, would enable the
plans Of the society to be developed in a
broader way. Mr.. Carnegie has been asked
to enlarge the new library so as to include
a music hall. but replied, that he thought
that he was doing enough for Washington
the public will doubtless agree with him in
this and press the request no further. The
most promising prospect for a new hall
now is with the ID. A. r., and the society
hopes when such hall is built to dedicate
1t with some suitable choral work
Few are aware of the expenses incident to
the work of such a society. Beside the
cost of soloists, advertising and auditorium
regard as the total cost, the society has to
meet the rent of a rehearsal hall every
week, the salary of the director and accom-
PIANIST, printing, music and postage and
many tncidentals. These foot up so consid-
erably that il is found that the actual cost
to the society of it's own share of the gen.
eral expenses in preparing each concert
emitting the solOiSts and other special ex-,
penses, is over $500 When the soloists cost
from $500 to 800 for each concert it is
seen that very close calculation Is neces-
sary to avoid an annual deficit when the
receipts are limited to the capacity of an
auditorium seating only few over 1900.
Yet during the last two years this has
been accomplished, and small surplus has
remained in the treasury after each sea
sons work.
The Board of ManaSers
This has been due to the very careful
business management of the affairs of the
society by the board of managers, and par
ucuiarly by the chief financial officers
These are Prof. H. NJ. Paul, T. s. N, and
Mr.. Stasius Meade. The former has been
financial secretary for two years. and be-
fore that served for an equal term as pres
ident When he assumed office he found a
debt OF about $1,000 on the society, the re-
SUIT OF season of too great liberality of
expenditure, without adequate public sup
port: He secured contributions from the
music lovers of the city, including one of
$50 from Mrs. Hearst, sufficient to place
the debt within figures which could be
easily carried. Plans We're then adopted
10 reduce expenditures and increase re-
ce1ptS, which proved so successful that the
last of the old debts was paid last Decem-
Der. The president for the last two years
Is Mr.. VIM. Bruce King, whose interest in
musical affairs is well known Assuming
office after two years of Prof Pauls adj
mfnistration, the financial burdens were not
serious, and It has been possible to give the
chler attention to the artistic aims Of the
society. The treasurer Mr.. Meade is one
or the Oldest in service among the members
of the society, and one of the most active
In seeking its welfare. No one but he
knows how many times the credit of the
society was protected at the cost of his own
private resources He is a member OF 81
Patrfcks choir. The vice president is Mr.
BERNARD r. Green, the superintendent of
the congressional library building and one
OF the regular supporters Of all musical
a member of the board of managers for
many years and has devoted many hours of
labor to Its work. Being an accomplis he'd
pianist IT Is her lot to preside at the ex-
animation of all new works proposed for
the concerts. Mrs. John D. Patten Is the
latest new member and a most valuable
acquisition to the board, as her wide read
ing in musical literature fits her especially
for the preparation of the many critical
ana descriptive papers required for the
bulletin and the programs. The other
members of the board are Mr. Thos. p
W, MoodWard, president of the Washington
Title Company; Mr.. Armand Gumnrecbt
organist at st. Patrick's Church: Secretary
Edwin A. HUI and Librarian r. NJ McKee,
both of the patent office: Messrs Charles
Louis Pollard of the National Museum and
Charles Greeley Abbot of the Smitbsonia,
Institution, representing the scientific in.
terests in music, and Mrs. Chas. G. Hert
niger, Miss Marie KuhneI and Miss Lillian
y. Norton.
Its Musical Director
The musical director. Mr.. Kaspar, has the
best of all qualities in choral director. nm.
limited industry. He combines with this
rare patience in instructions, an extremely
quick ear and very thorough understand
ing of the dramatic meaning of the ,nms;o
1t is striking characteristic of his uorL
that he Is not content with simple accur.
acy, but insists on, and secures the hipbo,
musical qualities of shading and phrasing,
HE Is ably seconded by Mr. John Porte,
Lawrence, who presides at the piano at ali
rehearsals and plays all accomplishments at
the concerts. Having no orchestra the so.
clety is fortunate in having an accompanies
VINO can supply this need by his skill at the
organ. >
AT the present time the society is hard
at work every Monday evening at Carroll
institute Hall, 10th Street below K pre-
pairing for the coming concert on April 81
designed to contrast the DEVELOPMENT OF
the TWO schools of operate music the Ger.
man and Italian. Friends of the society
are welcomed at the rehearsals Five Sc
lections will be sung from each school, in.
Guiding such large concerted works as the
male of the first act of Verdi's Aida" and
the male to Wagner's 'Meistersinger
Ihey Will present also the very celebrated
sextet from Lucia by Donizetti. and the
equally admired quintet from Die Meis.
tersinger."
An unusual array of soloists will be pre-
| scented, including Miss Sara Anderson, one
OF the ieadlne concert sopranos of the day,
MISS Mary Helen Howe, who has had q
wide operate experience: Miss Bond, one
OF the most promising young altos; Mr.
Charies A Kaiser. solo tenor at St
Patricks Cathedral in New York: Mr. W
ID. Mcfarland of this city, Mr. Jular
Walker. baritone, of New York: Mr.. Myror
| W. Whitney, 1r.. his distinguished father.
successor, and Mr.. Bernard A. Ryan O