The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-06-21
IBy G. Walter Barr.l

In the general acclaim Of the Keo-
kuk Concert band, not enough atten-
tlIn has been paid to the artistry OF
the orchestra, composed of some OF
the same musicians as the band, and
directed by the same w. II. Bower.
who is director of the organization
which makes the largest showing in
rublio.
When one does have opportunity to
study the musicianship of the orches-
ira, one finds it superior to that Of
the band--not because the men are
Inferior when playing as band, but
chiefly because the orchestral music
gives better means OF testing the quail
lily of the performers than does band
Laying music for the masses.
In it's essence an orchestra is a mus
ical instrument, the most complex and
difficult in the world.
The Directors Handicap.
The master of the piano, or the slide
trombone for that matter, has all the
nLance of the Interpretation and the
II. anipulation Of his instrument under
the direct control of his brain through
lis own nerve tracts and muscle f.
fres. The degree of pressure on a
FIDDLE string, or the strength of stroke
en- piano key, are determined by
only one set of human apparatus, all
controlled by certain brain cells, acted
on directly by one will.
But the orchestra director must play
on all the instruments through nerves
and muscles and brains between
" hich and his own is wide and
deep gap of nothing but atmosphere
and light waves reflected from his
tatoE and moving body and arms.
Every railroad man knows that the
danger Of accidents increases in direct
ratio to the number Of human ele-
r.ents in any operation. Every stu
dent Of warfare knows that battles
and campaigns are generally lost by
something happening to the lines OF
unication-generally the twist
Ing of an order into a meaning not
intended when 1t was first issued by
the commander-in-chief.
A Miracle In Music.
While, as psychologist, it Is easy
To understand how kubelill, or Pad
cIewsh, does it, just as one under
stands how Schumann-Heink or Mary
Garden, does it, have long felt that
the most remarkable achievement in
the world is the fact that Theodore
Thomas and Walter Damrosch could
gain the control they demonstrated
ever all the instruments In an orches-
ira, through the men playing those in
stIuments.
But they did 1t, and Bowers Is doing
the same thing in very remarkable
nanner; whether as we'll as Thomas
o. Damrosch is of no consequence
now, as comparisons are seldom OF
much consequence.
And it is by this token that those
CT us who have been critically watch
iIg his orchestra, on occasion are
caused to praise the music it makes
The Test Of Ability.
Shading by large musical organi-
Zstion Is as difficult as it is for the
little girl who can hardly reach the
piano pedals. 1t is also as often &C.
&C mplished like an automobile with
dust in it's carburetor by a large or
chestra as by a piano pupil.
OF course, crescendo and diminu-
endo can be accomplished as easily as
Ford can run up and down hill on
high gear, but there is a vast differ
cnce between that and the play of light
End shade over a musical score like
that over waving grain in the field
flooded with sunlight.