Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-09-27
Musical World
ny me-. BRIpGHAM

NFfARLFS BEACH of Chicago, man
ager of the Chicago symphony or
~ chestra, and Walter Damrosch
and the New York Symphony orches-
ira, is in the city for the purpose OF
establishing a permanent music festl-
val association.
The plan proposed is said to be meet
ing with the hearty approval Of many
representative men and women or the
city. Music festivals are fixed insti-
tutions in many of the leading cities
of the east and middle west, being
held in the spring of the year, ana
coming as climax to the musical
season. The plan proposed mere is
the one followed IN many of the cities
holding annual music festivals, and is
as follows. Organize a Los Angeles mu-
steal festival association, making 1t
a stock company, and Incorporated not
for profit. Secure subscriptions to
$4,000 or more, in shares of SIS each,
payable 20 per cent each year, for a
period of five years, thus guaranteeing
to the city the carrying on of this
work for at least this period, with
the thought that it will in this time
become so well established and so pop
ular that the city will not permit the
work to cease.
This will mean the organizing of
large festival chorus of $50 to 400
voices (mixed voices), and perhaps a
children's chorus, as is done at the
great Cincinnati festival.
A program would last at least three
days, and consist of the great ora
torios and cantatas and operas in
concert form, together with the great
symphonic works by large orchestras,
further assisted by well known ora
torio singers and operate artists. 1t
is suggested that the festival be under
the direction of a Los Angeles direc-
tor, employing the Chicago Symphony
orchestra of sixty-flve NOW making
its fourth Pacific coast tour), and per-
haps augmented by the Los Angeles
orchestra, SO as to provide great or
chestra or from 80 TO 100 men.
8
By invitation, presidents of the or
ganized choral societies of Los Ange-
les met Wedne sday afternoon with the
chamber of commerce committee of
music and art and held a conference
concerning the outlook for large
choral society such as is being agitated
by both musicians and music lovers
all over the city.
1t will probably take two more meet
ings of the committee having in hand
the question of a permanent greater
Los Angeles chorus before definite in
formation can be furnished the public.
1t is not a question of any one d.
rector or any particular club that is
interesting this able body of men, but
rather the matter of getting together
$50 voices qualified for oratorio, opera
and recital work as a chorus that may
be used whenever the occasion war
rants in supporting bands or orchestras
in festival work in this city.
At the meeting last Wednesday
afternoon the members of the COM
mittee were addressed by. DR.. Lyman |
Gregory, representing the Ellis club
Miss Ada @. Richards of the Treble |
Clef, Messrs. Green and Tibbets of the
Apollo club. Miss Katherine Stone from
the grammar schools, Mrs. Gertrude |
Parsons for the high schools, L. E. |
Behymer, representing the Orpheus
club, and Bruce Gordon Kingsley for
the Kingsley Grand Opera club. All
were anxious to further the movement
under contemplation and pledged the
hearty cooperation of their clubs with
the understanding that they were not
to discontinue their own work but to
unite in the upbuilding of this great
er musical association to be composed
in part, perhaps, by singers who may
be graduated out of these respective
clubs into the higher organization. The
Apollo club as body were willing to
unite in the movement and even to
lose their identity if 1t would advance
the choral situation IN Los Angeles. A
letter was received from the directors
of the Lyric club pledging the sup
port of that body.
1t was the consensus of opinion that
good chorus "of, for and by the peo-
pie" is desirable and erninently practi- |
cal, and backed by the business men |
of the city would be assured of sue
cess A chorus such as is being con-
sidered would be a Los Angeles chorus, |
an organization SO big and so broad |
that it would owe allegiance to no one