The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
MUSIC md Music

with the growth of Birmingham there
is naturally an increase In the NUMBER OF
orchestra players and the time is not far
| off, perhaps, when we can have a sym
phony orchestra of respectable size and
quality" said a music lover.
In nearly all cities with population
as great as 10000 concert orchestras are
maintained. Occasionally cities OF the
100000 to 10000 size have creditable or
chestras but as a rule it takes city
of 10000 or more to keep up really good
symphony organization.
| Springfield, Mass, with population
of only IS, 926 in the last census, is to
have a symphony orchestra of 50 players,
and In order to maintain such an orchestra
SO, 600 is being raised to meet a possible
deficit at the end of the first season.
Such a venture on the part of the good
people of Springfield is notable because
in the first place they live under the
shadow of Boston, which has the finest
symphony orchestra in America. and, in
the opinion of many critics, the finest in
the world; and in the next place it will
be impossible to find 80 competent play
ers-maybe not half that number-in a
town of Springfeld's size.
THE standard of orchestral perform
ances has been raised steadily in the past
90 years. Ensemble virtuosity is expected
now, whereas in former times all reason
ably conscientious work on the part of
players was accepted. High class musi-
cianship is expected of the members of
the orchestra, and a good deal more is
required of the conductor. The latter
must not only be an educated musician.
but he is expected to have genius for in
depreciation, and to interpret the ideas
and moods OF great composers with au-
thority. The strictly first class orchestra
players are in great demand. and the
wages they receive are more than double
the wages paid only few years ago For
instance, l remember when the first violin
players in permanent orchestras like
Thomas and Damrosch's, beginning with
the second desk, were doing well il they
they got $50 a week for a concert season
or % or 26 weeks. Now yiolinists of the
same class get all the way from s4S to
$65 a week. The second violins and violas
receive more now than the first violins
used to receive. The first flute can COM
mand anywhere from $50 to 500 week,
and it is the same with the solo clarinet
and the solo oboe French horn players
are exceptionally well paid in these days.
happen to know that the first horn in
the Minneapolis orchestra received $40 a
week. The kettle drummer is another
high priced man. He must have, in adj
dition to skill. an ear for accurate pitch.
His drums have to be tuned. and he has
to do the tuning amidst the confusion to
his ear caused by the orchestra playing
at the moment in a different key from the
key he is after. The Minneapolis tympani
player gets $50 a week.
In view of the situation it will be in
teresting to follow the career of the
Springfield orchestra / do not wish to
predict failure, but If it lives through the
third season / will be agreeablye sur
prised. Persons who attend symphony
concerts will no longer tolerate poor mu-
steamship. There will always be music
and music, but culture revels only in the
best"