Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-04
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
A SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT AT
POPULAR PRICES.
Good Work Done by the Organization
During Its First Season-Its
Continuance Assured.

The first popuIar concert Of the Washing
ton Symphony Orchestra will take place at
the National Theater Easter Sunday night
This organization has steadily grown in ar
tistic work and in public favor since 1t was
first formed, and 1t is now credit to the
city Of its birth, and will compare favor
ably with orchestras of much Older exist
ence and more pretentious fame. The diff
ficulties Of establishing a symphony Or
chestra are many and have bafhed many
previous attempts In this case these OBJ
stacles were greater than have been en-
countered in other cities because the effort
was made to secure as many Washington
musicians as possible. The idea has been,
and still obtains, that the orchestra shall
be an educational feature, to encourage the
development of local musical talent, as well
as to furnish enjoyment for those who de-
sire to listen to the proper Interpretation
Of the works Of the great masters.
This idea has been carried out by Mr.. De
Koven, the conductor of the orchestra. In
the formation of other similar bodies there
has usually been but one thought with
those backing the scheme or the conductor,
and that has been to get the best available
musicians, no matter from where obtained,
utterly regardless of the cost, and then to
mold them into an orchestra. The history
Of successful organizations show that funds
have not been lacking from the start,
either from an individual or from public
spirited citizens, and that the growth In
public favor has been exceedingly slow.
The famous Boston Symphony Orchestra,
the finest body Of its kind in the world. cost
Colonel Higginson over $780, 600 before 1t be-
gun to make dollar, and 1t was many
years before 1t became profitable venture.
The Pittsburg Orchestra Is still, after five
years of life under the leadership Of Victor
Herbert, a heavy expense to the public
spirited citizens of the smoky city who
guarantee its continuance.
Theodore Thomas Orchestra In Chicago
has been q constant drain upon the purses
of those who desire to keep the great
conductor in that city, and other cases
might be mentioned.
OF course, money Is necessary to start
any enterprise, and the ladies and gentle
men who came forward with their check
books and made the formation of the
Washington Symphony Orchestra possible
deserve the hearty thanks of every lover
Of music in the District An orchestra
is not like a commercial venture, the sue
cess of which is regulated by supply and
demand. It is a form of higher education
and a luxury which is obtainable only by
the well to do. 1t must be supported by
the well to do until 1t obtains a footing
with the general public sufficiently strong
to stand by itself.
In this respect, according to Mr.. E. H.
Droop, the general manager and treasurer,
the outlook for next season Is decidedly en-
cOuraging. 1t is expected that the former
guarantors will renew their pledges. and
quite a number of new ones have already
been made. The subscription sale for next
season will soon be open. and it Is believed
that there will be a large increase over
last year.
1t is hoped that the coming popular con-
cert will do much to make the orchestra
better known. The program has already
been published, and the soloist, Mr. Alexan-
der Wiley. baritone, is a singer of great
reputation. If this departure from the reg
ular series of concerts is success, it is
probable that other Sunday night programs
will be prepared The prices will be within
the reach of all, and in this respect its edu-
cational feature will be brought out The
last regular concert will be on the 21st in
slant.