Evening star., 1914-01-28
MUSICAL LIFE OF CITY
COMMENDED BY WRITER
Prof o. T. Simon Declares Washing
ton Is Doing Its Share in Com
parison With Larger Places

To the Editor Of The Star:
number of letters have recently ap-
peared in your columns refuting the
suggestion that Washington is an un-
musical city-such able letters as those
of Mrs May Ramsdell, Miss Root and
Henry +, Freeman. A later issue men,
tions another address on this same sub
iect by George Henry Howard. In this,
the writer suggests as a partial remedy
the erection of a concert hail. where musi
cal events might be given and encouraged,
and also the teaching Of the theory of
music in the public schools. They are
both most excellent suggestions. a con-
cert hall would be most advantageous.
and additional musical instruction to tho
Young would increase the appreciation
for the art. The point is. Can We get the
one. and is the latter feasible? But after
that is said, to come back TO the original
proposition are We here in Washington
unmusical and Is the support and appre-
citation of music less in comparison than
that of other cities? | hold that it is
not. ] recently saw an article from
French correspondent bemoaning lack
of similar conditions in Paris With a
population of 3,0OeDn, the support by
musical people to weekly concerts, etc.
was given as but 5000.
In New York city a few years ago. where
] had a studio. certain projects of opera
and concerts were found prosperous. This
support. however. came largely from the
non-workng or so-cilled social class. who
looked on these events In IA great many IN
stances as social functions and where the
spiritual significance of classical music
was Il secondary consideration. l saw also
great artists perform to empty houses ana
j saw a languishing choral society in a city
of many millions, where a supposed musi-
ole of hpn # thousands
foreigners resided. Information was also
given me by the director of one of the
great orchestras of that city OF the last
yearly deficit of two similar ORGANIZATIONS,
and il amounted to an amazing sum In
London. also. where have spent the last
twenty summers, ! have had the 9ppor-
tunity of seeing Worldwide artlsts playlns
to empty benches, and the opera mouse
at Covent Garden. except on great star"
nights. chilly filled. :.
I believe, for its size. Washington is
doing its share of growing musical Wcrk.
The appreciation of classical music Is
surprisingly greater than it was few
wears ago. We nave fio,:rishing choral
organizations that are without DEBT, ana
that have large and arpreciatse
audiences, and that are always STRIVING
Arts Society which is growing In M
portance and Introducing musical lee
lures. We have musical clubs OF anna
teurs that give considerabie prosrd"is-
We have our proportion OF STURDY fEHsi-
clans. of organists. of teachers who are
striving for ideals in the art We have
visiting orchestras and artists in great
number. These continue TO come, year
after year, and surely would not do SO
If the support were lacking There is a
cry that local organiza tons reserve limit
ed local support. This may be true, but
IL is also true of other cities.
No, Washington is all right Let the
gentleman who gives hasty criticism OF
Washingtons musical possibilities stay
here for a year, go TO all musical events
OTTO T. SIMON.