The New York herald., 1920-12-05
After 26 Years of Activity
Goes Out of Existence for
Lack of Support.
BY w. j. HENDERSON.

r TNDER date of November 20 the
subscribers to the Musical Art
Society received from the sec
retary, John S. Sheppard, communi-
cation which must have given them no
small pain. The letter may now be
made public and its content will cause
general regret Mr.. Sheppard wrote as
follows:
"The Musical Art Society OF New
York has decided to discontinue its
concerts for the present. The ces-
sation of these concerts will doubtless
be regretted by the faithful supporters
of the society. In the sixty concerts
given since its organization, in 1898.
the programmes have included the
best compositions for chorus q cdpellG
and the choir of the society has justly
attained a national reputation. The
society has inspired the organization
of scores Of similar societies through
out the country. The publication un-
der the auspices of the society Of the
works of the old Flemish and Italian
schools of polyphonic music, much of
which had Heretofore been neglected
has spread the knowledge of and in
terest in this form of musical art.
"In ceasing it's public activities, how
ever. the society does not intend to re-
linquish its efforts to vncoui age the
culture Of choral singing as an art.
In accordance with the deed of gift
covering the endowment fund raised
by the late president of the society.
Mr.. Eugene Delano, this fund now
passes to the trustees of the Institute
of Musical Art. 1t is hoped and be-
lieved that the Institute Of Musical
Art will cooperate with the Musical
Art Society in the furtherance Of its
plans to promote the art OF choral
singing. 1t has been suggested that
the Institute of Musical Art establish
q department for the training of choir
singing in which singers will receive
instruction In sight singing, rhythmics,
phrasing, diction, expression and in all
things necessary to choral singing. 1t
is believed that such training will ulti-
mately develop a chorus capable of
performing the most exacting choral
works in the highest artistic manner"
The passing of the Musical Art So
ciety removes from the art world OF New
York one of its most beneficent agencies.
The story of the end is only half tolo in
the secretary's letter. The simple facts
are that after activities lasting twenty
six years the organization has gone out
OF existence for want of public support.
In the beginning the society enjoyed
a considerable patronage. Its concerts
were attended by the most cultured
music lovers in the city. and they COM
manded a sufficient degree of general at
tention to bring to them many listeners
of the class set off as possessing social
distinction. But during the last ten
years 1t has been clear to experienced
observers OF the musical life of this city
That the days of the Musical Art Society
were numbered.
The end had to come, not because OF
my lack Of musical material nor because
II the undeniable deterioration In the
Quality of the choir of the society. There
was abundant music of the kind In which
this body special zed Singers were not
difficult to obtain. provided they could
he properly paid for their services. The
conductor, DR. Frank Damrosch, had
lost none of the enthusiasm or devotion
which led him to found the choir.
Decline In Public Taste.
The disintegration of this organization
Is due above all things to the steady and
lamentable decline in public taste which
has been an indisputable part OF the
musical history OF this town In the last
dozen years. Never In its existence did
New York have such q plethora of mu-
steal entertainment. Never were there
so many music lovers. Never was there
SO little acquaintance with the essentials
OF fine art. Never was there such n de-
rnand for cheap sensationalism and the
exhibition of personality.
II is not germane to the purpose or
the moment to discuss the causes of this
descent. nor indeed could any good be
accomplished by such a procedure. The
damag is done and Il cannot be undone.
The agencies which work the largest
harm to the cause OF true musical art
in this town are too strongly intrencheu
in the general public favor TO iose one
jot OF their influence.
The sincerest music lovers may he
grateful that there is still a sound and
discriminating musical public sufficiently
large to provide the concerts OF the
FIonzaley Quartet. the Philadelphia Or
chestra and similar organizations with
paying auditors numerous en- ugh to
occupy all the seats. This same dis
eliminating musical public leaves thou
sands Of tickets for concerts unalluring
70 it TO be distributed freely among the
youth Of the financial district and the
students In the conservatories.
The position of the Musical Art So
ciety was unique. It's choir was COM
posed Of paid professional singers. It's
object was to present TO the general pub
lie the masterpieces of the early COM
posers OF unaccompanicd vocal music,
most of which belong TO the treasury Of
the Roman Catholic Church. The secular