The Washington times., 1916-02-16
As MUSICAL
fCENTERI IS GROWING
Recent Concerts Refute Charges
Washington Is Not Musical
City.

-gtlre1y washington can now refuts the
accusation 90 often Iaunchei against
her that she is an unmusical city. The
verdict depends upon where one looks
before giving this ultimatum. The week
OF january 20 accumulated much evi-
dence TO the contrary when our local
endeagor, was shown In concerts by
three OF our choral clubs.
The suggestion has been made that
All the epldndid work of these organlsa-
lions, whose members labor 90 faithful-
~ Tor the advancement of music. be
serve as stimulus and aid for our
civic betterment In music.
We read from Baltimore OF the vigor-
ous work Mayor Preston is doing In
that city for civic music. Baltimore
must also. finance its two large muni-
cipai bands. We In washington have
the. inesttmable benefit OF Governmental
bands which we too often accept as a
Marine band, with its excellent com.
plement OF real musicians is always at
Band. -
But II IL in doing that music brings
the greatest Joy. We will soon have at
our disposal. also. the great hall Of the
new Central High School. whose stage
ig large enough to seat an entire SYM
phony, Orchestra. Here we can and
surely win achieve much that DR.. .cogs-
schools is now beginning to extend
throughout our city In evening conn
munity classes for music.
And this is where these clubs. could
each concert ceuld be repeated in the
splendid hall OF Central High School for
the. -henefit and 10y OF the vast ma
Jority. Children and adults. who are not
among the personal guests of the clubs
II these new audiences were SO selected
as to gradually include all sections Of
the city-would II not render their work
a richer thing for those who give. as
Il not also spread their ideals abroad
and extend their influence to an incal-
culable degree? And It seems entirely
feasible.
What could be more lovely than to
place, which is obviously the homo Of
all, an Easter Oratorio; for I am told
there y to be pipe organ In the hall.
10th the Motet Choral Society and the
members from the United States In
terior Department, are under the dlrec-
tion OF Otto TorneY Simon, who has
sSressdy ss o done n much ,sh for municiPsl music
Ire And would It not be a Joy to the
women's clubs 70 sing, for an as
semolage OF children from the orphan
asylums?
Sydney Lloyd wriEhtson has already
brought the Oratorio Society up to over
200 In membership. He expresses en-
thusiasm for what he calls the privilege
Of repeating "for the children" the ora
torio Of "5t. Paul. that will be given
this spring. Mr.. Morsell, director OF
the Rubinstein Club. with it's personnel
that includes many OF our foremost
women church Fingersy swas,ipng IN the.
front ranks OF Dur church singers, be-,
sides having en- Invaluable experience
as the tenor Of such opera Fsoripar MES
as the famous Bostonians: and Edgar
Priest director of the Monday Morning
Club, Is one of our foremost organists,
serving inthat capacity at the National
Episcopal Cathedral at Mt. st. Alban.
this city, and also as choirmaster and
director of the Choir School for Boys.
From such experienced workers surely
much inspiration could be furnished
those who are Just beginning:
Then we have other possibilities. Each
one may be factor In furthering our
civic pride In music, and each one can
ind its own particular sphere. II is
an open question that win, Il seems as
sured. be answered by unexpected re-
suits. j. Mach.