Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-21
I'M u s | G.
BY JEAN p. DuFFIELD.


- tined 10 a curiosity regarding
our possible bank balances on the
iifsi ol the month, But here are some
numerals which tell story. and an
arFesiing story Il Is, They were COM
piled by the Civic Music association
oi ~, Louis IN connection with the
recent Music Week celebration. the
purpose being TO emphasize the stand
ing OF Music week not only as a eui-
tufal asset 10 the city. but as a busi-
ness asset and factor not 10 be un-
deryalued from this point oi view
According 10 this report, the people
OF ~. Louis paid out last year S9,-
100000 for music study. the amount
representing teachers fees, etc. For
the purchase OF musical instruments,
records, etc, they spent ten and a
hall millions: for salaries 10 MEM
bers OF the Musicians union. ono and
q half million. Organis,s and church
singers were richer by 100000 Tor
their years efforts. and the SYM
phony orchestra represented all out
lay Of 100000 There are many
other items in the report. including
feelials. So0.0O0; music in the
schools, $1,000, choral clubs. $780,
600. and opera, $4,000. The ST
Louisans enjoyed $1,000 worth OF
park concerts last summer. All
told, the report tabulated a total
Of nearly sl60O0,0OO spent for mu-
sic. Money usually talks. but this
money sang and played, besides fur
nishing the Civic Music association
some valuable talking points.
Music week is being celebrated
more and more generally Throughout,
the country, New York, San Fran
cisco, Los Angeles, Dallas and Phil
adelephia being a few OF the cities
that have adopted the plan as an an
nual feature. Omaha aligned itself
with these places by conducting a
lively celebration last November.
Just now there is movement under
way which has for its object the
synchronizing OF all these various
local demonstrations, in the belief
that the effort would gain strength
through unity.
The subject came into considerable
prominence at the recent convention
OF music teachers in Lincoln. Mrs. |
Capper OF this city, in the course !
OF a very spirited and clever talk,
advocated a national music week, to |
be celebrated simultaneously through
out the country. The argument was
very ably and convncingly presented;
enthusiasm was beginning to run
high and rainbow-hued hopes were
glowing in all breasts when we'll
timed hand grenade was suddenly
burst in the pedagogical trenches by
Mr.. Ferguson. the school music
supervisor OF Lincoln. who held out
for a music week indeed, but mo-
bile and variable one; one which may,
like the figures on a chessboard, be
moved about in way to suit the
requirements OF the case. The very
merry argument which instantly de-
veloped was finally stopped by some
diplomatic promises made by the
president.
1t continued, however, through a
foursome luncheon at which our old
friend Carl Steckelberg was host.
Now the writer OF these lines had
never given the subject much
thought. Music week was doubt
less all very well, ETC., etc, but we
were very much occupied with our
own affairs. And yet. when splr-
tied argument is under way most
OF US are temperamentally unable to
refrain from taking sides. At first
blush it seemed to us that a con-
certed movement of countrywide
extent would be more effective than
little enterprises here and there,
separately timed, and apt to be lost
in the rush of affairs, and We
promptly gave this idea expression.
Mr.. Ferguson no less promptly took
the trouble to inform us that this
idea was utterly provincial, for which
opportune bit of enlightenment we
suppose we should be properly ap-
preciative.
But a stand once taken must be
defended. This we did by saying
that while it might be possible Tor
detached movements here and there
to develop a great momentum. there
appeared to be little doubt that re.
suits would be far more speedy It
all the little sporadic efforts be united
in one general movement. everybody
working together, all the. separate
voices Joined in one grand
chorus; that the psychological
effect OF massed endeavor is
the most powerful; that the
enthusiasm generated would be in
finitely greater, if each worker real
ICES that from the Atlantic 10 the
Pacific there are millions whose eff
forts are thus unified in one vast
impulse.
What is provinciality, anyway? 1t
is pertaining to province pc
cuiar to some rural, outlying or col
onial district" We leave the reader
to Judge which idea best answers to
this description.
OF course, there are arguments on
both sides and we are willing to give
the other side the benefit of the
doubt. The Music weeks the thing,
however consummated Ultimately
the movement will take its own best
form, regardless of what any Of us
may think about it now.
The famous soprano, Galli-Curci,
who will be heard in recital at the
Auditorium on the evening of May
q, finds her fame following her
about very much in the way that her
shadow pursues her in the moon
lit grove in the opera "Dinorah," i'll
which she made her triumphant debut
in New York. A few months ago
CALI Curci revisited Europe, and
while in Paris she decided to make
a trip to London, where her name is
a household word. In Italy, Spain,
France. Belgiu1t and Russia the So
prano has sung frequently, and she
Is a well -knoMn fuure in those cour.