Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-15
FEARS THAT WASHINGTON
is MINUS LOVE OF MUSIC
Correspondent Suggests That Vocal
lists and Instrumentalists "Get To-
gether" to Improve Conditions.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
While making an investigation extend
ing over a period of several weeks
nave heard it said repeatedly that Wash
1ngton is not a musical or mussc-loving
city. In each instance this statement was
made by those who have either been born
In Washington or who have resided here
Tor score or more years.
If this statement is correct what a re-
grettable commentary upon the musical
education and tastes of the citizenship at
large of Washington, the Capital city of
the nation!
only yesterday it was stated as a posi-
tive fact that the Kneisel Quartet was
practically compelled to discontinue its
concerts in Washington owing to lack of
support, financial and otherwise
However, l observe that the incompara-
PIE Boston symphony Orchestra still re-
taihs IT'S mold upon the genuine music
lovers of the District and vicinity The
superb playing Of such an exceptionally
competent artistic organization is of great
educational value to all music students.
KNOWS of No Local Organs Of Note.
Why is it that in possibly the most
beautiful city in the United States one
hnds a scarcity of church organs of note?
Technically speaking, there is not one
really noteworthy organ in Washington
rms statement is made after the writer
mas heard every organ of even relative
Importance in this city, including the in
strufnents in the Christian Science
Church St Johns, ST. Patrick's. Church
OF the Covenant. st. Thomas Trinity, the
rrdHciscan Monastery and others
Gf tlo.
Instruments are exceptionally well voiced
-that IN st. Johns particularly so. This
organ contains one of the most perfect
vox humana stops to be found in Aneri-
Ca Out with these one or two exceptions
none of them possesses extraordinary
scope. volume or beauty of tone
vocal music, in a sense. seems to be in
better condition locally than instrumental
music. There are the Oratorio Society,
several chorus choirs. at least one adrni-
rable double sextet. and other singing or
CARNATIONS composed of choir singers, too
numerous to mention Specifically. One
church maintains an evening choir of one
Hundred voices, whose work is very cred
table considering that it is practically 4
volunteer choir, assisted by but four paid
soloistS.
In addition. there are many competent
vocal soloists living in Washington-ren
and women who have held musical posi-
tons OF prominence in the leading cities
of this country and Europe
Makes a Suggestion.
Now. I have this suggestion to make:
Why cannot the musicians In Washing
ton-vocalists and Observation-Disclosures
together" in an endeavor to make Wash
ington the most musical as well as the
most beautiful city in America?
1t can be done if the recognized leaders
will collaborate in united effort for the
edif1cation and enjoyment of the city and
its visitors at large. Such s. movement
should be Systematically organized and
discipline of the highest order should pre-
vail. as in military band or organiza-
! ton. What would happen if member of
the Marine Band became jealous or
piqued over some perhaps imagined
slight and disturbed his fellow members?
He would be disciplined by the recognized
authority, would return to his playing
and there the incident would end
Now If every organist conductor. choir
master and vocalist-professional and
amateur-would put his best efforts into
the accomplishment of this desirable pur-
pose. visitors to the National city would
carry away with them more thoughts of
musical Washington than of Washington
famous as the seat of government
With the excellent military musical or
CARNATIONS already in existence and the
superabundance of instrumental and vo.
cal talent available-which was strikingly
apparent during the community Christ
mas tree festivities-it would by no means,
in my opinion, be a difficult task to ac-
complish the end sought.
CHARLES /. B. HENDRICKS.