Evening star., 1925-08-30
IMPETUS GIVEN
FESTIVAL OF MUSIC PROPOSAL
Magnitude of Scheme Catches Imagination of Lead
ers in All Walks of Life and Wakes
Splendid Enthusiasm.

The proposal for a Spring festival
of music TO be held in this city next
May. first broached and sponsored by
the District Commissioners, week
ago. has aroused such a spontaneous
enthusiasm that already the success
of the project seems assured. Hun
dreds of singers and musicians have
pied ged themselves TO the movement
and many leaders in business and
official life have promised their full
cooperation in carrying the project
forward to a tremendous success
The magnitude of the proposal has
caught the imagination of people
everywhere. Nothing but the most
enthusiastic comment has been heard
on all sides. Among musicia MS
an eagerness 10 get started on actual
work is manifest. The visions of
huge choruses, maSsed bands and
operas of the highest type, glorify-
ing TO the extreme American mu-
sicians. singers and composers. has
aroused fervor that seldom has
marked a musical project in this
country The possibilities that lie
ahead of a successful festival uniting
all that the city possesses musically
into a glorious five-day program, are
terested
The festival plan has drawn closer
attention TO the movement for a ma
uonal conservatory to be loca ed
mere, at which Americans could re-
cefVe the best the world has to offer
In the way of musical ira lining and
at which teachers could be prepared
TO go out all over the land into the
pubic and private schools and unite
In a comprehensive program that
would develop in every child a love
ana understanding for music
Broader Plans Suggested.
T. Several plans have been suggested
by various musicians In regard to the
coming years. once the festival has
peen established. An even greater
festlVal has been suggested for 1927
covering two weeks and providing for
the performance OF several operas
great symphonies. and even going to
the extent OF providing for competi-
i've performances patterned after the
Welsh elsteddfods, at which the lead
ing organizations of the country
gather to sing and play for prizes and
the honor of being adjudicated the
pest In each class. There seems no
limit to the possibilities which the
festival may suggest.
Within the next month the commit
tee to formulate May festival plans
will have been chosen, and from that
time on the plars are expected to be
speeded until the actual preparation
OF the program ms can be undertaken.
Among those who have indorsed the
project are:
Bishop Thomas j. Shahan, rector of
catholic University: I'm connection
with the musical festival and the es-
adjustment OF national conservatory
OF music, permit me to say that l am
in favor Of both propositions"
Lieut. Charles Benter, director of
the Navy Band: LAS regards the
Spring festival of music and the ma
tional conservatory, you may be as
sured that we are in favor of them
100 per cent. They would prove to be
of so great an educational value that
it would be almost impossible of full
estimation at this time. national
conservatory here would be an i'm
mense benefit to practically all of us.
The constants presence in this city of
eminent musical authorities would
tighten our work and give us quick
access to many phases Of musical in
struction that are now attained only
with much labor and research
Capt. W. J. Stannard. director
United States Army Band: at is diff
ficmt to measure the full value of
the plan for a Spring festival of
music to be held in this city. 1t is
to be hoped that the suggestion will
! be taken up Immediately by civic
leaders, after which l am sure the
! musicians here will, welcome the op-
| portunity to cooperate in every way.
| Personally. il would please me to de.
vote the major part of my time dur
| ing the Winter to any activity that
may be assigned to me by those