Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-07-04

ages twenty to eighty-all this with
perhaps little thought that, curiously
enough, in only three or four cities
of the United States has the generos-
ity of millionaires taken the direction
of endowment of music on a large
scale The uniqueness of the treat
which college men and others get in
Boston during the season of the Pops,
which always extends until the last
of the great schools of the neighbor-
hood has issued it's annual edition OF
sheepskins, is an indication of the
slight attention that in most Ameri-
can cities has as yet been given by
men of wealth TO founding and con-
Quoting musical institutions.
For the millionaires in this country
have only just begun to realize that
the musical arts especially need pro-
lection and fostering. Andrew Car
negie, Henry L. Higginson and Eben
D. Jordan are the three most conspic-
uous exceptions.
The former has been aware tor a
good while of the exigencies OF the
musicians 1t is reported that Mr..
Carnegie gives every year about $751;
600 in this direstion alone-a munifi-
cence that is not unnatural, consider
ing his well-known devotion to the
church organ in his New York house,
to which he listens as regularly as he
eats his breakfast. One is not sur
prised to find that large proportion
of his benefactions thus far have
gone to the endowment of pipe organs,
about 400 of which he has already
given to churches all over the world.
He has been quoted as saying that ne
won't stand for the doctrine Of he
preachers, but that the church OF gan
can teach no wrong. Mr.. Carnegie
has, of course, done other things for
American music. His wealth has
made Pittsburg one Of the leading
music centres of the country. Carne-
gle hall in New York C1ty has become
the center of the music life of the
metropolis.
Equally conspicuous with Mr.. Car
negie, and indeed even more so as a
special benefactor of music, is Major
Henry L. Higginson, the Boston bank
er, who since 1881 has stood behind
the Boston Symphony orchestra,
cherishing it with the same affection
and enthusiasm with which other
millionaires regard their yachts or
their racing stables. The great or
chestra which Carl Zerrahn, one OF
the three musicians of German birth
who have done so much to give stand
ing to American music, and who mas
just returned to this country from
several years residence in Germany,
declares is now generally regarded il
Europe as the finest musical organi.
cation in the world, owes its entire
existence to Mr. Higginson. If his
support were withdrawn tomorrow
the big orchestra would have to dis.
band, for in spite of successful COZ.
certs in every city of the union, there
is always an annual deficit to be met
one that in one year amounted to
nearly 100000, one that in certain
other very successful year was re
duced to about two thousand.
The series of great concerts through
the winter, which have set a standard
of musicianship for the whole country
and which give students of music an
opportunity such as they can secure
in no other country, are watched over
bv Major Higginson with constant
pride. 1t was in accordance with his
ideas that twenty years ago the now
famous pop concerts were inauguated
to run siH or eight weeks in the
spring, extending the Boston musical
season further into the summer than
in any other city. and providing musi
cal amusement of a very high order
to the thousands Of guests who come
to the New England metropolis
around commencement time.
Although not very rich man, as
judged by modern standards, for his
wealth does not compare with that Of
Mr. Carnegie, Mr. Rockefeller or sew
eral others Of the great benefactoTs
Of American education, Mr., Higgin
son has accomplished remarkable re
suits by following Mr.. Carnegie's pre-