Evening star., 1925-08-23
MUSICAL FESTIVAL
ON IMPOSING SCALE
PROPOSED FOR D. c.
Backers Would Place Capital
in Front Rank of WorId
Musical Centers.
FIVE-DAY PROGRAM
ONE OF SUGGESTIONS
Famous Military Bands, Artists of
Renown and Huge Choruses
Would Take Part.

An imposing festival of music, pre-
senting Washington's combined talent
IN symphonic program ranging
from recital numbers 10 oratorio and
grand opera, is the proposal of a
number of civic and musical leaders
of the city in a determined effort to
lift the National Capital to its right
full place beside the leading cities of
the world in musical prominence.
Covering five full days, and ilclud-
ing a mighty chorus of possibly more
than 1000 voices. a combined sym
phony of such nationally famous mill
tary bands as those of the Marine
Corps, the Army and the Navy. be
sides prominent singers from the
Washington Opera Co. choral so
cieties, church Choirs and individual
artists, the plan cOntemplates musi-
cal fete on a scale never before at
tempted here and seldom surpassed
elsewhere.
Next May has been set tentatively
as the time for this proposed concert,
the ultimate aim being to make 1t
the inauguration of an annual Spring
festival of music, bringing together
not only the best talent in Washing
ton, but also the outstanding artists
of the country, making the program
one of the outstanding events in
American music.
Step Will Be Unusual.
Heretofore those advocating the
plan point out that whatever reputa-
tion Washington has won in the world
of music has been due solely to indi-
vidual effort. The idea of a great
Spring festival, destined to awaken
the Capital City's latent interest in
music, has been surging in the minds
of a few enthusiasts, however, for
some time. At last there is oppor-
tunity to carry it through TO sue
cess.
1t is hoped to perfect the program
simultaneously with the possible
passage through Congress this Win
ter of the Fletcher bill, providing for
the establishment of a national con-
seTvatory of music in Washington.
Not only will the preparation of such
a project convince Congress of the
Capital City's aroused interest in
music, but the accomplished festival
will provide an ideal celebration for
the success of the bill if il is adopted.
From time to time articles have
appeared in the Music section Of The
Sunday Star, outlining the possibil-
tiles of making Washington the music
center of the Nation and calling at
tentiOn to the important strides that
have already been made through the
work OF individuals. The movement
has now been consolidated into
unanimous effort of music leaders
here to make the Spring festival next
May an event that will attract the
I at aJ1fi ion of 2 1,n -t,.,1n
Others to Be Invited.
Although the program will be dis
tinct!y an all-Washington affair, the
best talent from elsewhere in the coun-
try will be invited TO participate. This
phase of the plan, however, is Il mat
ter for special committees to work out
Washington has a number of artists
of national reputation already. There
are many more here not so we'll known
but possessed of marked ability. AS
result, there Is no doubt in the
minds of the originators of the plan
that the program would be one of
profound interest.
The movement already has suffi-
cient backing virtually to insure its
success. When the various choir lead
ers and organists begin returning
from their vacations early in Septem-
ber. however, the drive is to he given
added impetus and before Fall has
advanced far there is every reason to
believe the plan will be sailing toward
certain and tremendous success.
Music lovers here are thrilled at the
prospect already.
1t is understood a general meeting
of civic and music leaders here will
be called shortly, probably after those
out of the city have returned, for the
purpose of eSta bliShing a working or
ganization. This body, il is hoped.
will be a permanent association. rep
resentative enough and enthusiastic
enough TO put Washington in the first
ranks of the worlds great centers of
DnnSic