The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-12-17
PEOPLES FORUM

Editor West Virginian:
In a recent issue OF the West Vir-
ginian j read an article under the
caption !" To the Musical People OF
Fairmont," and II you will allow me
/ a few moments Of your time AMI a
little of your space would like to say
few words regarding the band and
orchestra Of Fairmont..
While not now directly associated
with either the First Regimen Band
or the Grand Opera House Orchestra
at the present time, i am still inter.
ested In Fairmont and after reading
1.-THE article. | am inclined TO Believe
that some of the so-called boosters. of
Fairmont are going long way
around. While do not, know who
the particular jeweler is that was
mentioned in the article, have
very good idea who 1t Is and | have
my doubts that II he were asked to
sing Nearer. my, God to Thee" he
would sing Come to Jesus" and new
er know the difference. II some Of
| the old composers would be able to
hear some Of their selections play
ed (?) by some orchestras as have
heard them played, using cow.bells,
crash cymbals. sleigh bells, lightning
and thunder effects, ETC., they would
turn over In their graves. The SALIVA
| ton Army use bass drum to attract
attention, not for the music that they
/, find in it.
Looking back on the past Is years
/ as q member OF the differen.. bands
and orchestras In Fairmont. can re-.
member three or four OF the most
able directors that ever poised baton
over the men that composed the
bands and orchestras in Fairmont.
The last man that had charge OF the
Grand Opera House Orchestra was
Frank P. Anterior. AS a musician,
he was no doubt the best that Fair.
mont has ever had, with the possi..
Bile exception of W.aH. Omen After
Mr. Atherton left Fairmont. 1t was
/ left to W. II. Omen to carry on the,
work where Mr.. Atherton left 1t. To
say that he has succeeded is putting
1t mildly. He has developed the best
band the town has ever known and
l leave It to the officers Of the West
Virginia National Guard II the above
statement is not true, He has taken
Regimental Band out Of the State
to different encampments time and
again that was far better than the
crack bands belonging to the regular
army. Hhe has given to Fairmont
boys band that is the talk OF the
State. I refer to ;le Public School
Band of the city of Fairmont. He has
ia little orchestra in the second ward
school that is developing into some,
thing that the city should be proud
Of VIII the music loving people Of
Fairmont let the musical interests
suffer just because one man has a
dislike for Mr.. Omen? Go to Ma
rietta and ask what his attitude was
to the musical interests there and
hear, what they say aboutit.
In conclusion, let me ask that you
be loyal. II you are working for the,
musical interests of Fairmont, for
Heavens sake work for 1t. Omen is
working for his bread and butter.
Work for him; speak we'll of him;
stand by him and stand by the musi-
cal interests that he represents. II
put to pinch. one ounce Of loyalty is
worth a pound OF cleverness. If you
must vilify, condemn and eternally
disnarage. wait until you get out OF
town, and when you are Outside, damn
to your hearts content. But as long
as you are q part Of this city, do not
knock the only good musical director
we have had for years. If you do you
will be loosening the friendship Of
, all, and the first high wind comes
along you will be uprooted and blown
away and probably you will wonder
| why. .5..a... h. A
Thank you.
Wheeling, W, Va, Dec. Is. 1910.