Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-22

The Augusta Symphony orchestra,
which 10 now on its fourth season of
successful effort In providing an op-
portunity for two score of local anna
teur and professional musicians to
learn and play in one great SYM
phony, the master compositions Of all
times. and Of giving to the music
loving public Of the Capital city, IN
their series of public rehearsals, full
programs OF all that is worthwhile in
music, might be said to be the real
izatton OF a vision. 1t Is the SUCCESS
full elimination Of the dream of IT'S
organizer and director, Ernest r.
Hill, who though a musician by
training and profession, IL first OF all
a musician by instinct and inclina-
ton. and derives his greatest salts
faction from the development into O
perfect whole. and the rendition by
this group Of uhselfish disciples OF
music. the works OF the great
composers.
The unqualified success OF the or
Ganization Is again the material evil
dence OF conquerinG spirit. When
Mr.. Hill conceived this symphony or
chestra and took steps for it's organ
ization. he met up with the old plant
that ut couldn't be DONE" but in the
face of this attitude. and on several
occasions real material opposition on
the part of certain Ill advised COM
mercial musicians, he went ahead
and not only proved that 1t could be
done. but also assembled about him
such n group of earnest and enthusi
astic musicians that that which he
had visualiZed has become a living
vital. throbbing whole. and today Is
functioning smoothly and certainly
an a result of it's own impetus.
A Community Effort
The Augusta symphony orchestra
has become an established institu-
ton, and Is supplying a need in the
community that Is duofold-first as
ar agency through which young anna
tour musicians, who play some in
strument for the love of 1T to give
outlet to something in their souls
which only music can express, and
secondly as the means Of bringing to
the vast majority of people. who are
not musically trained but who are
blessed with the appreciation, the
beautiful brain children and SYM
phonic visions of the worlds COM
posers.
Perhaps it's extraordinary success
has come in considerable measure
from the fact that 1t was n communi-
ty effort. shared in as much by its
intended audience as by its partici-
pating personnel No member OF
this orchestra has received monetary
return from his or her connection
with the organization. and no agency
or promoter has been permitted to
capitalize on the organization
splendid accomplishments. The men
and women of our city vho have been
listed on its rolls during the four
years of its functioninc, nave assoc
ciated themselves solely for the ad-
vantage, which being n unit OF this
musical whole could give them In the
way of satisfaction OF accomplish
ment.
Indeed during the first three years
of it's career the members of the Or
ganizat ion contributed spsall fee for
en- CHI rehearsal to finance the necess-
airy details Of organization and the
purchase Of music. There are those
in our community who realized the
great good of such an organization
and in appreciation Of this, and In or
der that Augusta might continue to
have it's symphony orchestra. they
have literally contributed to its sup
port. and az result the community
as a whole Is continuing to enjoy the