Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-18
JOHN F. BRAUN
On phIladelnhla' Music Week

MUSIC WEEK in Philadelphia. which
AV1 begins on April 30 and will be con-
temporaneous with Music Week in the entire.
State, is designed to spread knowledge OF
and love for the art over the whole Com
monwealth. according TO John r. braun,
Of the Music Week Committee Of the Pbila-
delphia Music League.
Music Week will be held the first week
of May" said Mr.. Braun. mot only III
Philadelphia. but in the entire state. The
idea of Music Week originated IN New
served and third is now being planned.
Tho idea proved to be so successful there
that 1t spread rapidly over the whole coun.
try, and now more than sixty cities have
either held Music Weeks or are planning
them.
when the idea was first suggested for
Philadelphia the manifold advantages were
so obvious that 1t was determined to- hold
one this year. Then we found that Dr.
Hollis p. Damn, the State superintendent
for a Statewide Music Week. We got
together with DIR. Damn. and 1t was decided
to have the week the same in both State and
city.
Object Of Music Week
'"Thc primary object Of Music Week is
to spread as far as possible the knowledge
of the art and to cultivate the love for It,
/. We feel that there should be at least one
week out of the fifty two In which the peo-
pie should pay especial attention to this
great cultural and ci~ilizing force.
"Our plans are naturally far from com.
plete as yet, because the deeper we 80 into
the subject the greater Its possibilities ap-
pear and the more far-reaching its results
may be made. But among other things we
intend to pay especial attention to the
schools for we clearly realize that the music
Of the future depends to very large extent
upon those who today are children. They
are the ones whO in the next generation.
will give the support which is essential to
all of the fine arts.
"In the schools we intend to have con-
tcsts in sight reading and In memorizing,
two of the most important elements in the
cultivation of practical musicinnship in
children, and there will be other features
for the school children as well as these
Next to the home the school is the greatest
factor In tho propagation OF feeling for
good music.
From the very beginnings of the art
music has always been closely allied to the
church, 1t was the church that really gave
music its first home and did much to stimu-
late the art in its extreme infancy, and this
close companionship has existed to the pres
cnt day. 1t is our intention to foster this
intimacy, which, through many centuries,
has made for the benefit Of both the church
and the art.
'"Thcrcforc the church will be asked to
do its share during Music Week. 1t is our
intention to ask all the church choirs to
hold special music services some time during
the days allotted to this purpose, and the
clergymen will be asked to preach one SER
mon on the subject of music wherever they
find 1t possible to do so.
.'The co operation of all the choral soci-
cites of the city will also be asked, and we
believe that these organizations will cheer
fully do what they can to help the cause of
music, for which they have done and are
sill doing such splendid service. Much of
the widespread interest in music that
exists today is due to the work of the choral
organizations not only in training audiences
hut in the practical part of singing as well
Their aid will be of great value in making
the week successful, and We hope to have
several special concerts during the week BY
these bodies.
Music In the Home
"But' most of all, we want to get music
into the homes Of the people of PhiladeI.
pbia. If the musical art Is to prosper and
10 take it's proper place In the hearts of the
neople as n whole, the home must be made
The center of it. There is not enough of
this in the United States now, and we hone
and believe that Music Week presents an
opportunity for us to start movement
which, when its cultural and recrea ional
value is once realized by parents and chill.
iren alike, will keep up Indefinitely.
1--WE want to have just as many home
recttals, and little private musicales as nos
sible during Music Week, and there Will