New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-27
PLAN A COMPOSERS DAY
Correspondent Writes About
Significance of February 6.

The musical season now before us is
one in which American musicians, both
performers and composers. will fnl
ample scope for their talents. So inn
portant is the opportunity. made BIZ
Conditions abroad. that il seems to the
writer an occasion for emphasizing the
standing Of American COMPOSERS b.
mans Of programmes o. COMPOSITIONS
by these composers born here or
resident in America a. least ten years.,
and the selection of February s as the
date of performance OF these pro-
grammes in all cities from coast to
coast. This date, the first Saturday in
February failing on the 9th in 19I5j,
and to be known AS American Com
posers' Day, is chosen for several good
reasons: il is symphony night" il
al! the large music centres, night
when conductors can arrange to have
a programme OF orchestral works By
American composers. Il is also far
enough advanced in the season to af-
ford ample time for amateur musical
clubs, schools of music and societies 70
prepare special programmes, and give
TO each number finish not possible
earlier in the season.
1t is desirable to have one day every
year when music lovers may do honor
to composers of the Western world.
when the general public may also be-
come acquainted with th@ art creations
of their countrymen. The day can bc
made helpful and inspiring 70 both
composers and performers, and should
be the means Of bringing to public
hearing all the best recent productions
Of American omposers-solo, chamber,
orchestral and choral music. Such
united effort will encourage creative
artists and give to American musical
circles an impetus greatly to be de-
sired.
Already conductors and directors of
musical societies are arranging Ameri-
can programmes for the winter and
take this opportunity Of making an APP
peal 10 them TO arrange dates for con-
ccrts SO that a programme of Ameri-
can compositions may be given by their
respective organizations on February 6.
would make the same appeal to the
musical directors Of choral societies, to
schools OF music and to programme
committees of all music societies and
women's clubs, and would be pleased
IN, h.4,r de n n
subject by way of suggestions for max
ing the day more helpful.
Independent! musicians, vocal and in
strumental, including organists, should
make the occasion one for bringing to
q public hearing compositions for tho
voice or instrument in which they are
chiefly interested. Chamber music,
piano trios, string quartets, quintets,
etc, should be brought forward by
groups of players of the various instru-
ments. 1t will be surprising to find
that in almost every city composers Of
budding talent have manuscripts wait
ing for performances and | would sug-
gest that il will be feasible in some
cities to confinc the programme to com
posers of the state, or to compositions
in manuscript, or to works published
within the year.
We shall present an appropriate pro-
Cramme. and probably two, on Ameri-
can Composers Day at the music colony
at Ruskin, Fla, held during January
and February, and will be glad to have
the privilege of looking over manu-
scripts or published music for piano,
strings. voice, chamber music, chorus
and orchestra. with view to perform
anccs. ! look to the day as one that
will be the means of bringing amateur
and professional players together in
concerted music. and therefore that
one of the lasting results will be the