The Washington times., 1922-11-02
Issues Appeal For
Community Music
Organized Civic Asso-,
citation Seeks to Make
Washington Nations Musi-
cal Center.

A plea for support OF the newly
organized Community Music Asso'
citation WAS made today In circular
letter sent to leading business and
professional men and women
throughout the city by the organ
ization's officers.
II Ia stated In the letter that the
organization proposes that the an
nual Music Week celebrations shall
become great exhibitions OF what IL
being accomplished throughout the
country along musical lines. The
time is anticipated when the music
weeks will be OF such interest and
national importance that thousapds
of visitors will come to Washington
To enjoy me events. =.
The Music Week undertakings OF
the past two years have been H.
nanced largely by the business men
of this city, Robert Lawrence, di'
rector Of the Community Music
Assoc alton, believes this Is not the
proper method. He holds the view
that az all are to share In the bene'
fits all should in some way share
tho expense. Music Is not charity.
not a philanthrophy. but civic and
patriotic need, Mr.. Lawrence said.
a plan has been arranged where.
by the project can be financed
through the various community
concerts. The budget of the asso'
citation for the eight months begin.
ming October | and ending with the
Third Music Week. May 27-Junc 2,
1923, is to be secured by these means:
Sale of reserved section season
tickets at SO each.
2--Sale OF reserved seat privileges
at single concerts.
3-Taking of collections at con.
certs.
4-Noluntary donations.
Season tickets are good for re-
served sections at all Sunday night
community concerts at Central High
School. additional community con
certs given under the auspices OF The
association. and special feature events
during Music Week.
Text OF Letter.
The letter sent out today from the
associations headquarters reads, in
part, as follows:
I'VE believe the time has come FOR
all WashinHtonians 10 unite in MAX
ing this city IA great musical center.
Washington already Is on the musical
map: but we must Justify the favor.
able attention we are receiving from
the musical world by carrying out
the very definite constructive nro'
gram outlined on tn" following
pages.
Music students by the thousands
are pouring into New York, Boston,
Cincinnati, Chicago and many othcf
American cities every year. Wash
ington very easily could attract many
OF these thousands. a student OF
music naturally seeks city having
"a musical atmosphere.
washington, in the Library OF
| Congress, has n great wealth OF
| musical literature readily available
| for musical research. Every year
| there is an increase in the number
of our first class musical attractions
given at reasonable prices. Wash
| ington's new auditorium Will bring
musical events of greater magnitude.
and the large seating capacity will
make possible a still lower scale Of
| prices.
| THE artistic atmosphere OF Wash.
| ington. essential to a center OF musi-
cal education and culture, Is there
| fore assured.
This association is composed al.
most entirely OF business and pro-
| fessional men and women. or the
fifty enrolled, not more than five
or six lay claim to musicianship.
We are interested in music because
we believe II to be good-socially.
morally, culturally-good for Wash.
ington and IL YOU like, good bus.
mess. We recognize the fact that
the educational musical advantages
to he found here, while not SO nu-
those elsewhere. We believe IN
boosting them. We believe that our
civic organizations engaged in ex-
plotting the city. should emphasize
the musical advantages OF Wash.
ington. We believe that these ad-
vantages could be broadened to
meet an everincreasing music stu.
dent colony.
Excellent Leadership.
1--WE have organized under the
leadership Of Robert Lawrence. The
work of Mr.. Lawrence during the
past two years has won our sup.
port. He has made us see the great
| possibilities for Washington as a
center of musical art. We believe
| the program we have undertaken
will develop, under his direction, a
love for and appreciation Of music In
| its highest and best forms and will
| especially emphasize the fact that
music should and must have q
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