The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-12
QUESTION NOW
Up To PUBLIC
Fate of Symphony Orchestra
Depends on Support Of Pub
lie Spirited Citizens.
FUND OF TEN THOUSAND
ALL THAT IS REQUIRED
Subscription Lists Will Be Cir
culated All the Week by
Orchestra Directors.

Shall the Salt Lake SYMPHONY orches-
ira be retained or discontinued
This question will be definitely and
finally answered at the close of Il
week S campaign to be inauCuratcd by
its manager board of directors and
Others who have taken au active inter
est in the fate of this musical organi2a-
tion
The work of arousing more sub
stantial public interest in the Symphony
orchestra will begin in the churches OF
the city. many Of the local ministers
having agreed that today they VIII pre-
sent the case TO their congregations and
urge that for the sake OF the musical
reputation of the city and the great
work that has in past years been done
by the musicians, the organization shall
not be permitted to diSband when few
thousand dollars will insure its pcrpctu..
lty and place il on 4 basis OF financial
independence.
Manager John ID. Spencer, who has
faithfully and compctentlv handled the
business interests Of the orchestra SINCE
its inception five years ago. estimates
that fund of $4,000 will afford suffi
Gent income 10 meet the deficit that
has been the result of virtually every
concert given.
UP to the Public
With the purpose of determining the
question of whether or not the music
loving public of Salt Lake really and
substantially appreciates the great and
good work which the orchestra is do
ing, subscription lists Will be generally
circulated throughout the city, calling
for subscriptions from 50 to 500. One
local banker has headed Il list with
500 donation.
Manager Spencer is frank and en-
phatic III his declaration that unless the
orchestra is given the financial support
of the music lovers and public spirited
citizens 1T cannot continue its work. lie
is equally frank in his declaration that
III the past the money expended has
been used in the most economical man
ncT possible, and announces the willing
ness of himself to resign as manager
and of any director to step down should
any one be ready to assume the duties
with the conviction that better results
can be secured.
That the expenses of the orchestra
might lcgitimately have been far great
er than they are is easily demonstrated.
Director John j. Mcclellan, to whose
zeal and ability is largely due the sue
cess heretofore achieved, has never re-
ceived dollar for the work he has
uoHc. diiuOuSu Inc FO5iliOu Is one IldI
would IN many cities command d high
salary. On the contrary, it has been at
great sacrifice, both financially and
personally, that Professor Mcclellan has
taken from his ever-crowdcd days and
nights the time required for the many
rehearsals and the recitals.
Other expenses have been held to the
minimum. 1t is only by courtesy and
special dispcnsation Of the Musicians
union that the members of the orchestra
have been allowed to play for SO for
each concert Instead Of 50, the regular
union scale,
Would Pay Union Scale.
1t is the desire and purpose Of the di-
rectors of the orchestra to secure Il
fund that will enable them to pay the
men the regular union scale. as it is
certain that this would be productive of
better feeling of harmony among the
musicians, many of whom. under pres
eut conditions, like their director, at
tend rehearsals and concerts at great
personal loss.
The city of Minneapolis, for illustra-
tion, maintains d symphony which occa-
sions IN ANNUAL deficit of $4,000 per
year, promptly met by the public spirit
ed music lovers OF the city.
The Symphony orchestra has in the
last five years given pleasure TO tens
of thousands of music lovers of the
city and state, but it has done more
than tbat-it has been potent influ-
ence i'll the uplifting of the musical
taste and the creation of appreciation
for the classics of melody and harmony.
it is confidently anticipated that the
response of the citizens will be prompt
and efficient and that Salt Lakers will
not have to their discredit the record
of failing to support an organization
that is vital TO the music life of the
great city and state.