The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-31
VALUE or MUSIC

Proclamation Of our esthetic and
cultural improvement by reference
to so uninspired and otherwise UNI
interesting a document as the cen.
sus report on manufacturers, as
John c. Freund, editor of Musical
America, points out in Statement
in which he directs attention to
the official statistics in vindication
Of the assertion he made some
years ago that the American peO-
pie were spending S600,000.O00
year for music. Now comes the
belated census report to say that
the value of the products Of the
music manufacturing industries in
1919, exclusive of sheet music and
books, was more than 100000 900.
These industries comprise more
than 500 plants, employing 10000
workmen and represent $3OO,00O,OO0
of invested capital,
To make Mr.. Freund's estimate
good, it would be required that
only $100,O00,000 be accounted for
by additional expenditures in great
variety. In the sums expended for
theatrical entertainment, for ex-
ample, we should in fairness make
due allowance for it's musical feat
ures. though it is impracticable to
segregate them with the accuracy
essential to an official report.
Music teachers multiply and con-
tinue to thrive. They are not
enumerated in the industrial cen
sus. Seven thousand supervisors
of music in the public schools tes-
tify to the growing aspirations OF
the years. Mr.. Freund estimates
that between 100000 and 100000
make a living in whole or in part
in some employment growing out
Of music.
1t is not time to cavil over
definitions, to. make fine-spun seq
regations, as. for example, those
would do who would contend that
a considerable proportion of the
musical instruments manufacture
ed for Americans to play on never
produce real music. Someone rises
TO protest that untold millions go
in for jazz. He would subtract
from the total the sums expended
for ukuleles and saXoDhones. But
he would be wrong. We think that
in the cultural scheme. All con-
tribute to the increasing volume
not of mere noise, as the cynic
would insist, but of effort to
achieve the melodies and harmon
les of the higher life. Jazz, and
folk music. and the popular song
are steps on the way to symphony
and grand opera.
But Mr. Freund also views the
matter critically, relying not Who'll
ly on what the census bureau says.
1--WE lead" he says, Gin our musical
performances. We give the best
French, German. Russian and
Italian grand operas. We have the
largest number Of symphony or
chestras and the best, and when it
comes to the musical, profession
our teachers can stand up against
any the world over" Nor need we
accept the unsupported testimony
! Of Mr.. Freund. The campaign in
stituted by the last national recre.
alton congress, meeting at Atlantic
City, to enlist the cooperation of
American musicians and compos-
ers in giving America character to
Our musical aspirations, is signif-
cant Of general desire. The very
haste with which the public turns
from one bad song to another"
said Professor Dykema, head of
the movement. is but evidence OF
the Unconscious search for songs
which will lastingly satisfy the
musical hunger" Occasional caco-
rhony is but a manifestation of
esthetic growing pains. The tend
ency is upward. A truly musical
America is hound soon or late to
arrive.-Portland Oregonian.