Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-23


establishment of a high standard
To me the most deplorable situa-
ton in the musical life of this city.
is the lack of support given to mu-
sical organizations, some of which
are of the first magnitude in the
musical world of this country. When
/ came to this town about a year
ago, my husband and I attended a
concert by the New York Symphony
Orchestra. | attended again this
year, and on both occasions, the hall
was about half full. Ladies, I was
shocked. There is something wrong
with a community that will not sup
port one symphony concert in a
year. | have been told that many
HarrisburgerS go to New York to
teaSt their inclinations in this line
That is n beautiful privilege, it is
also your right, but is there anyone
who can satisfy their thirst for the
pest in music or art by attending a
lew musical events or art eXhibi-
tlons in a season?
Then, too, there is another side
10 TINS situation. We must support
the attractions we are fortunate
enough to get in Harrisburg. Go to
wash in a musical way, but it is
also your duty to attend the musical
attractions of your own city--for If
py your lack of patronage of local
musical events, these features can
not be continued, then you deprive
your townspeople of a privilege that
should be theirs. People want mu-
sic, and they will have it, of one
kind or another. SO they go to the
store and buy trashy records of the
latest ragtime hit-thus their taste
is left to be formed by themselves,
and their taste is bad, because they
nave not zen educated to like bet
ter things. Mr.. Werrenrath says,
This country is turning from q ma
ton of Jazz bands and cabarets to
one that demands good music
The influence of music can not be
discredited. 1t sometimes gives
courage, it sometimes soothes-for
surely we must all realize that there
is no influence so great in its reia-
tion to man, as music. Certainly
music ranks next to Christianity,
and as a unifying element, there is
nothing comparable to it.
Love of Good Music
Another phase of this situation
is, that people should be taught to
live good music. 1 believe that the
time will come when the character
istic music will not be ragtime.
People abroad know us best by this
terrible class of music. Rabbi Jo-
seph krauskopf, of PHILADELPHIA.
says, we never needed music more
than at the present time. 1t makes
us go to our duties all the better
all the stronger"
Managers tell us that Harris
burg. is dead, that it is a losing game
TO bring anything good to this city"
Last year we had the San Carlos
Opera Company for several perform
ances. This year they would not
come to us, because we would not
support them. In this company we
had several of the principal singers,
but not all; likewise we had several
understudies. They sang us good
music, and to familiari2e oneself
with the best music is always worth
While, for 1T adds to our culture, and
what would life be without culture ?
however, we can remedy the situa-
tion Just stated. We can and must
support these musical attractions,
and then demand the best. Other
cities have demanded the full value
or their money-so can we.
To awaken Harrisburg in things
musical, and. to start our campaign
for Community Singing in this city.
we have extended to DIR. John C..
treund, Editor of Musical America,
and President of the "Musical AL
lance of the United States" an in
vitation to visit our city. and help
launch this movement. 1t gives me
great pleasure to announce that Doc
tor Freund will be with us on April
3, and 8, at which time he will
give us several addresses. There
isn't a man in this country who has
done more to better the standard
of music than this wonderful author
and patron of music. Just now we
feel that we have a big undertaking.
for as yet we are without any finan-
cial backing, and we are still look
ing for a good fairy to finance this
project. This campaign is backed
by the Chamber of Commerce, the
Wednesday Club and the School
Board. which has granted us the
use of the Technical High School
for. our Community work. We have
also the patronage of the press, Of
cials of the city and state, also the
musicians of Harrisburg. To-day /
ask your support for this movement.
A propaganda. of like interest was
recently launched in Scranton with
wonderful results, and so 1t has been
the experience of every city visited
by Doctor Freund. 1t is splendid
indeed. that Harrisburg is to have
the privilege of hearing this dis
tinguished disciple of music. He is
a speaker of tremendous force, and
in every city is a most notable guest,
where many honors are always eX-
tended in appreciation of his valu-
able services.
Doctor Freund is seventy years
of age. and receives no compensation
for his services. His mission is for
more music of a higher standard,
and to this purpose we beg that you
give Us your utmost support"