Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-05-23
MRS. FREDERICK W. ABBOTT

mHS. FVeOENVS W. HooSJI
On the Results Of the First Music Week
DHILADELPHIA'S first Music Week
A-proved a tremendous success, no matter
from what angle it may be viewed. accord
ing to Mrs Frederick w. Abbott, super
vising director Of the Philadelphia Music
League, under whose auspices the week was
conducted.
Perhaps the biggest single thing which
was accomplished. said Mrs. Abbott, was
the bringing forward of an immense number
OF the smaller musical groups of the city and
recognizing them as doing something for the
work of spreading the gospel of good music.
Many Of these groups we're brought into
direct contact with each other and with the
League for the first time, and the results to
all are bound to be beneficial 1t is an in
spiration and great satisfaction for one
group which is doing definite work along
any especial masical line to find in another
another organization with the same general
aims and ideals and for them to compare
notes as to tn" best manner OF doing the
work in which both are earnestly engaged.
VIII Help the Professionals
"And right here want very much 10 make
something clear which has been misunder-
stood by some of the professional musicians
Of the city That is that the Philadelphia
Music League does not intend in any man
fessonal musicians of the city to donate
their services in either public or private
concerts.
"It was only during Music Week that this
was asked. W" realize very definitely that
these men and women make their living III
this way. and that it is not fair to them to
ask that they give for nothing the results of
long study and practice. that upon which
they are dependent for their living.
1T is the purpose of the Music League
pt;p, ,lntn int in, n in rnS-
sible way. and the giving of the services OF
so many of the best professionals during
Music Week has. we feel, done much to that
end. But it is the intention of the League.
whatever concerts may be given under its
auspices next season and all the seasons
to come. to pay tIe professional musicians
for their services. We also hope by this
stimulation Of music TO increase materially
the number Of those who will take lessons
from the professional musicians. buy tickets
for their concerts and in other ways add to
the financial possibilities of the musicians
who make their living through their art.
Many Organizations Recognized
"All of the organizations which offered
their services during Music Week had n
splendid civic spirit. They were all anxious
to help In the cause which they recognized
as important to the best welfare of the city.
Many organizations were thus brought before
the public which had not previously had the
advantage of much publicity and of whose
very existence the general musical public
had little more than vague idea.
Many Of these groups are doing a
splendid work in their own sphere and
lot of them proved to be musical organiza
tions of high order of performance and
understanding They were willing TO sing
or play at any place which might be AS
signed to them Some of the best of these
came to our attention so late that It was
difficult to provide suitable place for them
to appear. but We did the best we could
Of them seemed to be satisfied Their
willingness to accept what We could give
them in the nature of concert ENGAGEMENTS
and the fine spirit which they displayed were
one of the noteworthy features Of the Week
'"The reaction of these groups toward the
week and toward the musical atmosphere
which they encountered at the various con
had to assign large choral body to a
smaller hall than we liked. but they ali ac-
cepted and they were delighted with the re-
ceptiOn accorded them and the attention
which they commanded from their audiences
The Week In the Schools
lone of the great points back of Music
Week was the matter of the public schools.
we had this matter of bringing forward tbe
best talent of the schools in mind from the
start How well that succeeded was shown
in n report which DR.. BrOOmp made IN thn
board at the last meeting. lie said that
never in the experience of the teacLcrs of
Philadelphia had music received such stimu.
latiOn and inspiration in the public scbools
as during Music Week
''All sorts OF concerts We're given In tho
public schools, and the members of the
various high school Orchestras, Of vhi"S