Evening star., 1915-01-28
WASHINGTON IS NOT
APPREc|AT|vE OF MUSIC
Local Artists Are Not Encouraged
by Public Support at the
National Capital
To the Editor Of Tie Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Why is Washington noted as not be-
ing musical city? Why is the So
called Local Musician not given his
well earned place? Why do not more
Of competent instructors in music es-
tablish themselves permanently in the
nations capital? Why have we no
symphony orchestra: Why is there 50
little money spent by the majority of
the churches for their music?
| These arc pertinent questions that it
; is time for SOMEBODY to havc the cour-
ago to ask and to give his opinion as
! to why these conditions exist.
J The time has come when there must
| be Il change of attitude by the people
of the nations capital if they expect
to attain the position of the other cap
! itals of the world from an artistic
\ that has to be done is to accord musi-
clans Of international reputation the
honors that are due them and not be-
little them by being termed in short
time as Local Musicianso What is the
Local Musician? He is one who, be-
cause he lives IN Washington and not
New York. loses his commercial value
and buries his artistic identity. Who
:
How many Of the beautiful homes in
tn nations capital open thcir doors to
the so-ca1lcd Local Musician" Is the
artist. who is engaged for some big
social junction. gaueed l,E his real ar
tistic ability or by the reputation he
has made in other cities. which is
either genuine or because he has be
come the petted idol Of the rich" How
reputation if he is not given, an op
portunity in his adopted or native
home? l state openly and frankly aud
without fear OF honest contradiction
that there are singers. pianists, organ
lists and violinists living in the city of
Washington who are head and shoul-
ders above many of the visiting artists,
for whom the ever tickle public will
should the Local Musician give a reci-
tai and charge even 50 cents admis-
sion. he would not draw "a corporars
guard to hear him. If New York
tails given by one of its native musi-
! clans. why cannot Washington do the
same?
Standard of Approval.
Is Washington governed in its must
cal appreciation by what its social
leaders place their stamp of approval
on. or by the artistic merit of what is
offered?
Why is there SO little money spent by
most Of the churches for their music?
1t must be truthfully conceded that in
the majority of the churches there is q
lack of true musical apprecia ton and
the congregations seem satisfied with
that which is governed by the purse
strings or singers chosen by music
committee. not one of which could read
an ordinary hymn tune at sight.
l am not writing this article with
n
make the statements for the sake of
my felloW-muSicians.
What does the local press do to help
the musical situation? Through its
of interest could be aroused, whereas
the Local Musician Is not given one line
of space for review in any recital he
might give. From a commercial stand
of foresight, for the friends of the So
called Local Musician will buy papers
much more eagerly to see what the To-
cal critic has to say of the native.
quicker than the criticism of the visit
ing artist.
These conditions create an unhealthy
atmosphere among the musicians them
selves. Having no recognition, they
paid positions merit Is lost sight of
by the undertaking of the less tall
ented artist. This creates hard and dis
cordant feeling, an atmosphere of jeal-
| the final result of which is a discord-
ant element, whereas in music-the
greatest of all the God given talents
there should be nothing but love and
can carry you to spheres almost I'M
known and incomprehensible.
Worthy Organizations.
There are conductors of choral Or
sanizations here. such AS Mrs. Blair
and Mr.. Otto Torney Simon, who spend
hours Of labor to give to the city choral
works of much beauty. The services
Of the conductors. as 1 understand it.
are given gratuitously and the differ
ent members of the organizations pay
annual dues for the support of their
societies. They give very remarkable
concerts of a highly educational char
acter which influence the musical cul-
ture of the community. Understand
me. the.e organizations are sustained
by the members themselves. How long
would they last II they gave concerts
for which they were dependent upon
the sale of tickets to meet expenses?
1t is Il pronounced fact that a local
musical attraction cannot be made to
pay solely upon its merits, and to get
the patronage of the public it is nee
essary to give its performances under
the auspices of some charitable organ
iZation.
To add to all these facts, perhaps the
most deplOrable one is that the capital
city Of the nation provides hall
wherein local or visiting artists, or
chestra local musical organiza-
tions can give a concert. The conse-
quence Is that the musical attractions
have to be crammed In between the
hours of 4:30 and o'clock in the after
noon at one of the local theaters. where
people come from their offices without
one minute of rest intervening and
often have to leave before the pro-
gram Is ended to be home in time for
dinner.
This is what Washington offers its
music lovers, workers and adherent.
Until Washington can give to it's own
that " hicIr is due those who were born
in their midst or who have come among
them, it will forever remain the only
national capital of the world whose
musical artistic development is iE-
nored
The Americans arc none too slow in
their desire to make money but If tbey