Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-18

The European war has emphasized
the fact that music II worth making
ana essential part Of daily human life.
and is not merely a luxury for the leisure
class or the especial gifted, as 1t has
usually been considered.
When the War Department commits
sion on training camp activities was
organized last spring the first thing
that the members did was to put song
leaders in the camps. as they recog-
mixed the Importance Of music as a
spiritual force in establishing and
maintaining the morale Of the Army
and Navy. The truth OF their reason
ing has been SO emphatically-de demon
strated by the success Of the leaders
in training stations that the War De-
partment has formally assigned the
song leaders to the Quartermaster
Corps at large. While the song lead
ers will still be under the direct super
vision Of the commission on training
camp activities. the fact remains that
they are now an integral part Of Amer
ican Army life, and the government
has put its official stamp on music,
both as a spiritual and fighting force.
partment has taken in recognising the
great spiritual value OF music is we'll
summed up in q recent statement by
MAI Gen. Greene. commander at Camp
Lewis. American Lake. Washington,
n who ts is quoted IL as saying They did
when 1 was learning to be a soldier,
but We sang anyway. Now the Army
has added this new branch, and we ex-
pect 1t will give the men a great deal
Of happiness and inspiration"
In several of the National Arnou An ~
comments plans are now under way for
the erection of large community halls,
with a seating capacity of from 5000
to 10000 persons. In addition to pro-
vidtng q suitable gathering place for
mass singing. these community halls
VIII be used for lectures. mass instruc-
ton ana the concerts to be given by
famous artists. There are no govern
ment funds available for erecting these
structures. but the camp authorities,
together with the citizens of the ad-
Joining communities, are raising the
necessary money for this purpose. One
plan now under way is to ask every
more than 81 toward building these
halls, which will insure personal in
terest and . feeling Of partnership on
the part Of the men who will be d.
rectly benefited by the plan.
In the National Army camps tho gov
Ss haAAous AAedIcES Will, II Is expected,
be ready for use the latter part Of No
vember. This building, designed pri-
marily for dramatic entertainment.
Will serve as valuable adjunct to the
singing activities as it will be avail
able for such use during the day. and
there will be opportunity for singing
preceding the evening program.
At some OF the camps every regiment
is to have it's own piano. R. Festyn
Davies. representing the War Depart
ment commission on training camp
activities. has taken the responsibility,
as song leader. of purchasing a dozen
which will be installed in
the recreation halls Of the different
A glee club Is also to be
in each company. with a
man chosen from the company as
leader.
Attention is again called to the COM
munity chorus recently organized by
DR.. Cogswell, musical director OF the
public schools OF the District. which.
according the present plans. is to be
limited in membership only by the ca
pacity OF the hall at the Wilson Normal
School. where the rehearsals are be-
Ing held Wednesday evenings Ora
torio choruses, secular works. folk
songs. ETC.. will be taken up for rehearsal
at once and as soon as a sufficient number
Of good compositions have been prepared
Orchestra, will entertain the
soldiers with varied and attractive
proSrams and the boys in khaki viii
In turn be invited to participate in
these affairs. DR.. cogswell urges all
who sing to unite in making this q
representative community chorus and
members OF other organizations, clubs
chufch chotrs and the hundreds Of 9TH
ers with good voices in Washington
VINO are not taking an active part in
a i've q
helping along this cause, and all are
urged to come to the Wilson Normal
school Wednesday evening.
rh The Community symphony Orchestra.
members. with DR.. cosswel as con-
ductor and Lewis G. Chernofr, concert
master and assistant conductor, is pre-
pairing for busy season. The d.
rectors have decided to increase the
vits all players OF violin. viola. double
bass. French horn. trumpet, one flute.
clarinet. oboe. harp and tympani to
Join the organization. Application may
be made to DR.. cogswell at the Wilson
Normal School. where rshearsals are
held Tuesday evenings. There is no
expense connected with Membership,
and musicians. both professional and
amateur. are invited to attend a re-
hearsal and hear for themselves the
Owing to the fact that a large num-
Der OF amateurs who desire the oppor-
trinity Of ensemble practice, but who
are not sufficiently advanced to meet
the requirements Of the symphony or
chestra, junior orchestra has been
organized, which meets at 1880 sharp
Monday evenings at the Wilson Normal
School. This Is open to all who play
orchestral instruments, and q system
Of graduation will be established by
which. as soon as any member shows
sufficient skill. they will be admitted
to membership in the symphony or
chestra. There are no dues and no ex-
pense of any kind connected with men,
bership.
A large number of new members en-
rolled in the Washington Oratorio So
eiety Monday night at the regular re-
.hearsal The society Ia now preparing
Samson" by Haendel. which will be
given with soloists from New York
Rehearsals are held every Monday
evening IN st. Johns parish hall. A
general invitation is extended to all
singers. as 1t is desired to build the
chorus UP to 400 voices. Those desir-
ing to come In must do SO at once. as
the books will be closed shortly and
no new members can be received for
this particular concert.
A feature Of the rehearsa is the
appearance of some well known local
eoloist. who sings several numbers dur
ing the intermission. Monday evening
III