The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-03-16
BOYS FROM CAMP THE
AUDIENCE OF FUTURE
Cancellation of Mand Powell on Tour
Through Training Camps,

Our boys surprised most OF us In the
display OF many laudable traits which
came to the surface during their re-
cent military training. but nothing was
so unexpected AS their ardent desire
TO listen TO music. and the best OF II at
that
Maud Powell. who. under the aus
pieces of tho commission on training
camp activities. was booked for many
camp concerts. maintained that she
would play only strictly concert num-
bers for the boys Her stand in this
matter caused grave anxiety among
those who had the boys diversion in
charge. But when after trial OF
this type OF music they found that the
receipts from this famous violinists
concert eclipsed those derived from an
appearance OF Ritchie. the famed kind
of the prize lighters ring. they
gracefully gave way to Maud Powelrs
contention and gave her FREQ rein ms
TO the selections on her program.
Another miscalculation was made
by the camp authorities on the occa-
sion of Maud Powe1l's first Liberty
theater recital The colonel of the
camp informed Nine. Powell that the
admission charge for the boys was to
be 50. Whereupon she promptly In
formed that gentleman that she had
never charged soldier anything to
hear her and she couldn't then. Upon
the colonei's answer that the govern
ment needed the money and that was
the best means Of securing 1t. n COM
promise was effected--the boys were
TO pay twenty-five cents and the offi-
GERS Atty cents. Thus Maud Powell
scored another point by bringing the
best music within the reach of all
In speaking of that experience and
numerous similar ones. Nine. Powell
declared, THESE very boys In the camp
are going to make up o. big part OF
the audiences of the future. They will
no longer be afraid of being dragge ed
to concerts Furthermore they viii
not forget the great comfort and pleas
ure they derived through music of the
better class during the days of mill
tary life.
After one of these concerts Mms
Powell received a request from several
play for the sick boys.
"whenT' asked Nine, Powell. good
naturally. forgetting how friRhtfully
hot she was after her concert
Plight now" was the calm reply Of
the physicians.
without much delfberatton she con-
sented, and they hustled her off to
the hospital. not in taxi. but in a
waiting ambulance When they reached
the hospital the boys were lying on
cots in the open air. for IL was mag
niacent moonlight June night Those
who were not able to be outside were
moved as near to the windows as pos
sible, Under such interesting ctrcum.
stances did Maud Powell play TO then
under the June moon. And they ak
enjoy her splendid art
Such experiences as these kindle.
keen enthusiasm IN the artist to a,
all she could for the soldier boys How
well rewarded were her efforts In wei
| indicated by the fact that during a re-
cent week Maud Powel1.s playing col.
lected $1,000 In three concerts for tn,
government
! Community singing. led by the vic
| 1inist formed n part OF most OF Maut
Povcftl's programme. Sha was mucl
amazed at the wonderful training tina
had been theirs In such work. 9Th,
perfect pitch. the heartiness ana vol
ume OF the tone poured forth from
thousands Of threats. the quick re-
Spouse to my wishes In the matter O
ptanissimo, effects. chescendi. chang
ing of tempt and tho climax buildin,
T%as not only amazing but thrilling,
says Mime. Powell. her face aglow wifi
the remembrance Of It all.