Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-11-30
SACRED CONCERT GIVEN
FOR BELGIAN RELIEF
Largo Audience Hears Program of
Classic Music at City
Auditorium.
$4,000 TAKEN IN COLLECTION
Recent Reports to Commissioner Boy
Kin Show Acute Need OF Starving
People In War Zone-Virginia
Fund Now Exceeds $4,000.

-'ppioHiiitatciy <,VoU people attcnucu
tho sacred concert given yesterday af-.
tcrnoon in the City Auditorium by the
richmond Symphony Orchestra for the
relief OF the stricken and starving Bel
CLANS. and sl4s.6o in cash contribu-
lions was collected. Professor W.
Henry Baker, under whose direction
tho concert was given. said that he
was greatly pleased with the response
and Colonel IL NJ. Boykin, chairman OF
tho Virginia State Belgian Relief Com
mission. and George w. Rogers. chair.
man OF the Richmond executive COM
'nittcc. were equally sratifed that the
effort had been so successful.
The concert itself gave a pleasing
prospect Of what Richmond can afford
in the way OF musical treats. of music
that may be appreciated by layman
we'll as by critic There were more
local professional musicians gathered
on the stage than ut any other ono
irle before In tho musical history OF
Richmond, and they threw themselves
into the cndeavor with such larsesse
OF heart and soul and with so much
stirring effect that. momcntarily for
gctful that appreciation may be shown
AS deeply by silence as by clamor. the
crowd applaudcd again and again.
AUDIENCE APPLAUDS
SOLO SINGERS
that there should be no cncores, but
Joseph Whittemore sang with such
power and sweetness that the desire
for more on the part of the audience
could not be stayed nor denied, and he
responded to the call. No less I'm effect
pt al
'Salve Regina" or Mrs. Railey p. Shift
lott, singing Ave Maria" who. how
ever. contented themselves with re-
peatedly bowling appreciation Of the
out5ursts of applause.
AZ music stirs to dccds OF vnlor and
inspires men on the fighting line, so
does II no less compel response to the
cry OF need and make tho heart woll
with charity and Kindly thought
Practically everybody In that audience
gave yesterday to tho need OF the Bel
CLANS, and the collection means n few
more barrels of flour, n little more
sustenancc for those OF whom so many
have not even where to lay their
heads,
GENERAL RESPONSE
TO CALL FOR COLLECTION
Ten men. at the call of Chairman
Rogers. took up the collection. There
was one two dollar bill IN tho return.
many dollars in silver andrpaper. half
dollars. quarters. dimes, nickcls and
pennies. One little boy. who watched
with anxious mien the counting after
wards. said that lie had given all he
had. five pennies, and ha noticed with
great interest that the pennies. ninety
eight In all, nearly totnicd 81. Such
IN the power OF music, though IL as not
to he doubted that much would have
been given IL not note had: been
played. Richmond has ever been gen.
erous towards her own people. and tlIc
city has never failed to hear the cry
OF others.
The collection was taken up after
the sixth number. violin quartet,
composed OF J. G. kessnich, Jay Dona-
hue. George Ryall and Mr.. Runge. Mr..
Rogers explained that a silver offer
ing would be taken for the relief of
the Belgians. and there was instant
reply TO his call for collectors. Ten
men responded WITH their hats, and
within fifteen minutes a sum which
Professor Baker and the members of
the Symphony Orchestra considered re-
ward enough for their labor was taken
up.
ACUTE NEED IS
DESCRIBED by BoYKIN
Colonel Doykin thanked the audience
FOR It's liberality. saying that while
there are always deserving poor peo-
pie who need aid. this situation Is re-
narkable In history In that II is the
hrst time In modern annals that n whole
nation has been left destitute and
homeless. 1T Is one thing" he said,
TO die ON the battle front. where ono
has for his inspiration all tho excite
Inent and glamour OF war, but IL Is an
entirely different thing to die OF star
Walton. starvation that Is as cruel
ii is unnccessary. There are millions
facing starvation In devastated Bel
GUM. Many. perhaps, have means with
which TO buy food. but there Is no food
for them to buy. Starvation is staring
t,.t 4, 81. u
ed the g. .. s. call for help. and
Richmond lis responding with her usual
liberal and noble charity. Through the
efforts of the noble women OF this city
there was raised on Belgium Tag Day
S4,53s64, and now we have moro than
rs gratifying to the commission as II
must be to you who have SO largely
helped"
THANKS THOSE WHO
HAVE AIDED IN CONCERT
Especial thanks were given to the
musicians who had given of their time
and labor TO make the concert n sue
cess. They played and sang the neeo
Of Belgium, and every string in the
orchestra. every voice that sang,
throbbed with the appeal that has come
TO American cars and touched AmerI-
can hearts.
Only a musical critic could do Justice
10 the concert. But a layman could APP
prccintc It, and laymen did. Upon few
coca slons has such a volume of musical
sound swept through the City Audi
forum, and mono of these was evor
moro enjoyed. Congratulations were
showered upon Professor BakoI and
upon allithose who worked with him in
his musical appeal for n Belgian offer
ing. After two numbers had been
played by tho Symphony Orchestra,
Mrs. George Bethel sang her way into
ttcihearts of the people, and then came
MR. Whlttemore and Mrs. Shifett.
whose songs were equally as powerful
in their effect. Then, after the collec-
ton, tho orchestra played a symphony
in Il minor, and the audience, though ii
wanted more, felt that it should be sat
isfied and passed out with thought OF
belgium in it's hearts The members OF
the orchestra were as follows:
MEMBERS OF VOLUNTEER
DELGIAN RELIES ORCHESTRA
". Henry Baker, conductor.