The Washington times., 1922-11-05

In the delightful studio of Mr..
Kaspar. at 1917 M street north
west. Robert Lawrence. director Of
the newly organized Community
Music Association and who Is do
ing probably moro than any one
individual in this city to promote
civic interest in music, Mr.. Kaspar
and the writer discussed the old
Qeorgetown orchestra and the
possibility Of a Washington Sym
phony Orchestra.
"The time was never moro propi-
tious than the present for tho in
auguration Of a new orchestra or
ganization." said Mr.. Kaspar.
There ought to be, in q city Of
this size and in the surrounding
towns. sufficient good musicians
to recruit a symphony orchestra
which would be a credit to WASH
ington and do much to stimulate
greater interest In things musical
in tho Nations Capital"
"A community orchestra such az
has been suggested. containing
the best musicians Of all tho local
music colleges and schools and or
ganizations. would be Of distinct
benefit to the musicians them
Selves" said Mr.. Lawrence. ITO
play in such an orchestra, with
competent leadership, would be IN
excellent musical education for
any good musician"
IF sufficient interest in a Wash
ington Symphony Orchestra is
manifested by local musicians, Mr..
Lawrence said, the orchestra
would play each Sunday night at
the community concerts staged by
the Community Music Association
in the auditorium at Central High
School.
There are orchestras in WASH
ington doing excellent work to
stimulate greater interest in homo
talent, Mr.. Lawrence said. For
example, there is the Washing
ton College of Music Orchestra.
Few musical organizations in tho
country are doing the good work
this orchestra is accomplishing.
But, Mr.. Lawrence pointed out,
this orchestra il distinctly a
school orchestra and not a COM
munity organization. What IL
needed is an orchestra represent
ing the best musicians of the
city. In such an orchestra, or
ganizations Of the high standard
Of the Washington College of
Music could render inestimable
service by placing at the disposal
Of the community orchestra their
own best players.
IN the opinion of leading music
ians in this city. no better
fitted person to direct tho pro-
posed orchestra could be found
than Josef Kaspar. For years
he has been a leader in the
musical life of the Capital, and
his students. in America and
Europe. bear testimony to his
great ability as a teacher.
Mr.. Kaspar conducted the
Georgetown orchestra at various
times for fourteen years. he told
the writer yesterday. Many men
whose names are now prominent
in the business and professional
life of Washington were members
of the orchestra. That the or
chestra was Of first-rate quality
Is demonstrated by the fact tha
the same persons who were pa
irons Of the Boston Symphony
concerts were patrons of the
Georgetown orchestra.
Under Mr.. Kaspar's direction,
the orchestra played all the Beet.
hoven symphonies II. except the
ninth and fourth; Mosart In e
flat, Shubert and Haydn. II &C.
companied all vocal and instru-
mental soloists. In short, II was
responsible almost entirely for the
keen interest In music which swept
the Capital fifteen or more years
ago, but which, since the war,
has died down appreciably.
CPEAKING Of the personnel Of
~ the old Georgetown symphony
Orchestra. just glance at this list
of musicians. Many have crossed
the Great Divide, but others are
familiar not only to musicians
in this city. but to business and
professional interests as well. Fol-
lowing is the list:
First violin-E. szemeieni, T.
Nordlinger. +. Weller, J. r. Hill.
c. w. Curtis. T. z. Rogers, E. ID.