The Washington times., 1920-05-20


to he sold. II is reported, to theatrical
interests that will book 1t for the
season with the attractions of A. l..
Erlanger. Elo Ziegfeld. George II. Ty-
Ter and Charles B. Dillingham;.
Music in Philadelphia without .
home! II sounds Incredible. But IL is
no more incredible than that the
many projects dreamed of for Wash
inGton should still be lingering in a
cloud OF uncertainty.
And so the question arises. will the
people of Philadelphia use this crisis
for the providing of permanent
home for all it's music activities?
VIII they outrun Washington and
have. az has been contemplated, a
group of buildings devoted to the
arts--an opera house and concert
hall an art gallery, a library. etc? II
Is in such group that music should
have its proper environment.
BENEFITS of Music.
The Washington season has es-
tablished beyond a doubt the large
| and constantly growing need" OF
people. The concerts have been
| crowded to the point of discomfort
Their number has far exceeded any
season heretofore scheduled.
Educational events in music have
| been numerous. The Washington
Society of the Fine Arts has this year
greatly broadcncd its scope by the
| inclusion of the orchestral concerts
with descriptive lectures given by
| the symphony Society OF New York
| under Walter Damrosch. They will
again bring this famous orchestra
next year, and to the regular season
a A. I'll,
includes fvc recitals, may be added
several more.
These statistics moan much to the
people of "A city. They mean that
the refining and tho uplifting in
fucnCe of music has to do with the
happiness and the wholcsomcness OF
us all.
Walk down Seventeenth street
these beautiful spring days. past the
War, State and Navy Department
past the Corcoran Art Gallery. on to
the lovely line Of structures that in
cJude the Red Cross building, the
whit Q, marble home OF the d. A. r.
with the crowning glory OF the Pan
American building, and sce--no, feel
in your inmost soul how great is
tho impetus to better living. to better
thinking. that such structures give.
1t is not idle, nor is ii purely
aesthetic. to want beautiful, a
white marble home for that most en-
cffabIe thing that searches the depths
of our spiritual lives.
Music is a benefit to mankind
An interesting course OF lecture
musicales were given recently at the
Playhouse in this city. The therapeu-
tic value of music was illustrated in
a talk and in music there. Louise
GhnlHnn W VIII her OF
ter. has advanced most comprehen-
| sive and helpful evidence Of music's s
place in healing many OF the ills
that flesh is heir to. brought that
message to Washington.
Mrs. Sheldon has proven in hospi-
tails and elsewhere that Music at.
tuned to the patients pulse beat is a
| life-renewer."
Music-therapy has passed beyond
the stage of ridicule where one was
admonished to "tako pill OF Wagner
and two spoonfuls OF Chopin" There
is such thing as suiting certain
music to the needs of a sick body.
In the music designed to illustrate
this theme. the piano playing OF Mar
Guerite Walker was eminently fitted
to meet the task and to justify II.
Miss Walker. with a flowing sense OF
rhythm-a thing beyond dispute in its
| influence on body as well as mind
| brought beauty of Interpretation, OF
tone and execution into her work
She was particularly "inhuential,'
may ono say. in the charm of. her De-
| busy "Arabesuue." she was restful in
| her Chopin. and gave fresh thought
and lightncss of spirit in her Morris
Dance" of Edward German.
Thus music speaks its message. II
lie not to be lightly turned aside. Its
uses arc many, both social and uplift-
ing. To encourage it is ono of the
hest cndcsvors that city or a state
| could support
when the United States supports
| music, she will have marched much
| nearer the ethical standard to which