The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-20
A CHAT WITH MIR. JOHN WIEGAND JR.
 LEADER OF. TUTWILER HOTEL ORCHESTRA
By DOLLY pALRYMPLE

Everybody who has been to the hand some new Tutwiler hotel (and who hasn't0 has been impressed with the many beautiful things that characterize this magnificent hostelry. l The building the furnishings, the indi- yiduality, and the elegance all appeal to l the casual observer and while these have come in for their share of comment and tions is the provision made by the man. agement of the splendid orchestra under the able direction of MT. John wiegand l Jr.
 Music has become such a power and such a factor in hotel and cafe life all over the world that today you can scarce l ly go to the smallest and most unpreten- tious place of the kind and not find some sort of music.
 And
 The notable part of the whole thing is-
 That the orehestras demanded by the public must be the best
 No longer is music of an ordinary char acter used.
 Instead
 You will find some of the most finished musicians and best performers engaged in the big hotel orchestras throughout the country.
 The Tutwiler is abreast of the times in this respect as in all others.
 Much favorable comment was heard on ali sides about the beautiful programmes rendered on the afternoon and evening of the opening of the hotel, but with the tre- mendous crowd surging and swishing hither and thither it was really difficult tra and It's real merit.
 It was pleasing and that was sufficient.
 But
 Since then,
 Dining or lunching at the Tutwler the guests have had opportunity to hear the orchestra and really enjoy it. and have at once realized that Mir Wiegand and his eo-workers are a finished band of musicians and distinct addition to Birmingham musically.
 few minutes chat with MT. Niegand shows him to be a most courteous and affable gentleman, with a keen apprecia- ton of beautiful music the best and the highest type, and a quiet determination to hold the standard up to the best in his work here
 He is sensitive to the demands of hotel audiences, which differ quite distinctly from these at a concsrt or recital. as we all know, and it is his intention to make the Tutwiler hotel orchestra second to none in the matter of presenting the best classical well popular music to the large clientele of the hotel.
 Your name I said to Mr. Wiegand, as we chatted yesterday in the foyer of the big hostery, suggests some notable names in the world of music.''
 hAT1- Eois tioac has baa identified with music" was the answer,
 and it would be odd indeed if I had not inherited the love of 1t. In fact, 1 have never known anything but music. AL though of German parentage, l was born and reared in Augusta, Ga., and even dur ing my young school days there at the Richmond academy l was playing at the Highland park in Aiken. When 1 gradu- ated I went to the Bon Air and played there for long engagement, so you see I have practically been engaged in hotel music since l was a child. My brother, MT. Fred c. Wiegand, who is my first violinist" continued Mir. Vie Oberhoffer and the Minneapolis orchestra. but l am pleased to say that he will be here permanently with me-"
 We've heard MT. Oberhoffer in Bir- mingham, I suggested. and have been very much impressed with the Mnneapo- lis orchestra and his fine directorship."
 The concertmeister of the Minneapo- lis orchestra, Mir Richard Czerwonky" said MT. Wegand. taught my brother and We consider Mir. Czerwonlky one of the most finished violinists of the day The instrument my brother uses Is a gen. une Anlati and we are very proud of It. It has been in our family over 100 years. It was purchased in Cassel, Germany. where my grandfather lived and he used 1t during his lifetime"
 That's beautiful inheritance" I ob- served. flor one who is as appreciative of rare musical instruments and music as you are''
 Yes" said Mir Wiegand, ''it was used by my ancestors and by us is valued very highly. You were speaking just now of my name meaning something in the musical world. I am very proud that some of my kinsmen have made 1t nota- ble. My father is well known as a com poser of church music. his Ave Marias and masses being used throughout the musical world. He is 73 years old now but is still very active in musical mat ters. He studied the violin with Spohr when he lived in Germany and music has been his life work just as 1t has been mine. My uncle. MT. George Vie