Evening star., 1925-08-23

by the appointment of a committee
by the District Commissioners. After
the organization was once effected, it
could be autonomous, electing it's own
officials in future years.
The chairman of the committee
would appoint subcommittee, having
charge OF each afternoon and evening
OF the program, of details of the festi-
val, such as places for the perform
ances, printed programs. membership
drive, and other such work. :
Ihe best method of perpetuating
the erganiza ton and assuring the
needed financial support-for there
would be expenses that should not be
placed upon the performers-wo would
be provided by a group Of associate
OF SUSTAINING members of the associa-
ton These members, by paying an
nual dues" would be entitled to a
certain number of reserved seats for
the various performances. The re.
mafnder of the seats would be free 10
the public. Seats not used by the
sustaining members could also be
turned over some time after the be-
ginning OF the program to the general
public not supporting>the association.
There are enough leaders in bust
ness and civic circles in the city inter.
ested in music to assure the financial
success Of the festival, Just as there
are enough musicians to assure tre.
mendously interesting performances.
WashingtonianS have alyays been
known for the pride they take in the
development of their city. They would
fnd a new source for pride in the
music festival that their fellow
though voteless, citizens are capable
of staging.
By the. use of the radio-and il is
certain that the local stations would
be glad to put these programs, or
portions of them, on the air, and per.
haps a series of stations might be
linked together-the people for hun.
dreds of miles around would learn of
what their Capital is doing rnusically.
Thus the city and the festival would
be advertised near and far, and with
the coming Of few years a new mag.
net would be provided to draw thou.
sands to the city.
The city has been backward In
united musical effort. Some brave
souls have striven at various times
and some are still endeavoring to unite
the various local musical organtza
tions in some big program, but here
tofore jealousies and inertia have com.
bated all efforts. Nothing big enough
has been proposed to catch the imagi
nation.
An entente cordiale" already exists
among enough organizations to assure
a successful start. With the move
ment under way, the others would
come in.
If the movement should be given
official sponsorship in the District and
should win the ar1est support of the
various civic organizations in the city
II the spark may be struck to kindle
the fire of enthusiasm in the public
musical organizations in the city will
be quick and eager to respond.
Seed time Is at hand IL the city is
to reap it's. harvest of music next
May Perfecting of an organization
and choosing the works for the
choruses should be accomplished this
Fall in order that rehearsals may be
conducted in such a manner as not tt
interfere with the regular work of the
various choirs and choruses. With al
local musical activities spurred with
the thought of the festival ahead. the
work of the entire Winter and Sprins
would be battered by the enthusiasm
caught from the festival plans.
Few rehearsals would be required o.
the united choruses, as their WORK
would be accomplished in individua.
rehearsa1s. Only at the end would the
combined choruses need to meet for 8
rehearsal or two under the genera