The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-02-03
ALL MUST HELP.
Tremendous Struggle OF School
of Music

TREMENDOUS struggle OF School
of Music
Against Great Odds Csmmesds Itself to
Every Ons-United Effort is Needed
10 Make Concert Success What the
Concerts Mean.
To the Editor of the New DOMINION:
May claim the columns Of your
valued paper to explain to the public
a matter which of late has been forci
bly, brought to my mind. 1t has
been said several times to me lately
that / was trying to do too much IN
musical way for Morgantown, and
that the reason THE Faculty Con-
certs' had not been a financial sue
cess was because people were not
used to having to 60 to such high
class entertain ments, and that they
would not support them. Although
/ hare had the losses to foet to a
considerable amount, even with these
experiences l cannot accept the ex-
cuses offered as facts. This is a
University town where everything of
a high educational and classical char
acter should surely pay, be support
ed, and welcomed.
cannot believe that it is due to
financial conditions. There certainly
is not a scarcity Of wealth here, and
when people are offered attractions
at fifty cents admission that in other
cities would command anywhere
from ST. to IS seat, surely it cannot
be from monetary standpoint.
Seats tor the Strauss and Herbert
combination are offered at So for both
the afternoon and evening perform
ances W hen in other cities they would
sell standing room only for $40 at
single appearance.
On February ii, the oratorio of
"St. Paul. will be given in Com
mencement Hal! and the soloists en-
gagged are Madame Jenny Osborn
Hannah, who is the greatest Ameri-
can concert soprano living, and Mr..
Frank Hannah, h1gs husband, who
possesses beautifdf tenor voice.
The Choral Society here has, with
wonderful patience and ability, mas.
tered this great composition. Ever
since last September faithfully once a
week, and since Christmas twice a
week have Its members met and
labored to give this work creditably.
They receive no remuneration for
their services, and they are working
with a local pride to show what the
students of the School of Music and |
those in our town who have voices,
can do in q musical way, and l want
TO state that never in my experience
rs conductor have had such faith
full workers.
l write this letter TO appeal to the
citizens and students to support this
on February IL, to show
hearty appreciation Of the efforts of
our own people, and to accord to our
visiting artists cordial and gener-
BUS welcome
We have to pay the Hannahs $265, |!
which includes their expenses; this
S 800 less than they came for last
rear. They are doing this as a per-
'onal act of friendship to me, consid-
ring what l lost when they came
before. In addition to this there are
.ther heavy expenses, and the net
.ost will be 1926 to produce this
york. That means $50 people at so
.ents. do not want the big Strauss
md Herbert concert on March 14th
o overshadow this concert of Febru
Try IL, and / appeal to the citizens
# Morgantewn to support me.
l speak for the School of Music;
ny work is for my department;
SIX for no personal glory. Give the
chool its full deserts, and that is all
he reward expected. We are all
for the State University ami
vhen we do that we are doing the
most we can for each and every indi-
idual citizen OF Morgantown.
Each term, steadily and surely,
he enrollmen. and income has in
reased, and this term, despite pre-
ious wonderful advancement in
10Th, the School of Music can boast
f the biggest enrolment. and the
al gest income from fees, ever record
d in its history.
Music is an absolute necessity
Ask any one who tries to arrange
ectures, evenings of religious and
ocial gatherings and events of pub
ic educational interest, what it
means to have music? Morgantow
n particular mas the advantage over
'ther cities of the State by being
lirectly benefited by the School Of
Music. The churches draw, to a
arge extent, the members OF their
hoirs from students, either directly
n the School, Choral Society, OF Glee
Tub. Do other cities have these
opportunities?
My letter is intended only to place
'efore the public the conditions ex-
sting. If we are willing to risk
1926 for one evenings ENTERTAINMENT
md $4,000 for another, surely the1
public can risk so cents and So re
pectively, towards supporting such
,rave endeavors. We are not COM
blaming, we only ask loyal and gen
rous support. At the time that l
igned the contract for the Strauss
md Herbert concert / believed, as
,thers did, that Commencement Hall
eated 1900 people at least. When
he charts were made so that reserv-
ID seats could be sold, the sum total
II the seating capacity proved to be
,nly 927. which at SO will only bring
n $2781. To meet expenses every
Ieat must tie sold and then l must
all back upon the generosity of
Iuch men as the Hon. Geo. e. Stur-
PISS, Col. McDermott, DIR. Purinton,
T. w. Wiles, and c. B. Ollie, who
lave subscribed extra rather than
Zee such wonderful musical posi-
,ility fall through.
Respectfully yours,
SIDNEY LLOYD WRIGHTsoN
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The MirrAr Issueh