Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-15
AUGUSTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
HAS ANNUAL BANQUET SESSION

fore, and most undoubtedly directly
or Indirectly are inspired by your
work, and many are LOOKING forward
to the time when 1t snail be their
privilege to be a member OF your
orchestra. 4
"You are instructing the people of
this city in appreciating that which
is really fine and lasting In music.
You are bringing to us works that
have endured for centuries because
they have within them something of
the sublime and they will endure as
long as music lasts, which will be to
the end of time.
"Thirdly, there is the mutual bene-
fit which you yourselves receive from
the instructions and from the actual
playing. but even more important the
friendships which you form through
your associations together.
"Fourthly in my mind, more i'm
po-tant of all, is the actual good that
you do in making for better citizen
ship, The effect of music In war, in
peace and in religion cannot be over
estimated. l do not believe 1t is pos
sill 'e for any man or woman to at
tend q symphony concert and not
without leaving the concert with ST.
lent vows. either CONSCIOUSLY or un-
consciously. that he or she will ever
endeavor to be a better man or wo-
man. There is no proper program
where there is not som melody that
brings to mans mind, sometime
during the evening, the thoughts Of
other, of her sacrifices for him and a
realization of all that Kipling meant
when he penned, If 1 were hanged
on the highest hill, Mother of Mine.
o Mother Of Mine, I know whose
love would follow me still. Mother of
Mine, o Mother Of Nine There is
no proper concert program where
! there is not melody that reminds
us of love, love of wife, thoughts of
her constant care for us, as Guest
said, Never thought for the cares
i she bore for us, never a thought of
the joys that flew by, her only re-
greet that she couldn't do more for
u.s. thoughts of home. Of our chill
dren, and when we think of home,
we think of and thank God for his
goodness, and even as our splendid
ministers, from their pulpits, preach
sermons so you through the various
instruments of your orchestra by
your harmony, preach to your listen
ers sermon and as Longfellow said:
Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care.
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer
Each one is to be congratulated
upon having an art, and a gift that
money cannot purchase. Friends may
sometimes disagree, wealth may be
| dissipated, but the love ad appreci-
alton of music can never be affected
by outward conditions. You will re-
member how Mozart, even to his
death, loved and lived for music.
NO organization, no matter how
worthy its purpose can long succeed
without a leader. Six years ago, the
| idea of an Augusta Symphony Or
chestra was born in the brain of a
| man who was then compaxA tive
stranger in Augusta. Through his
ability, through his energy. through
| his personality and through the CO.
| operation which has been given him,
the Augusta Symphony Orchestra is
| the splendid organization which it is
| today. and l say that when In future
years some historian Of Augusta
| makes a list of Augusta men, who
| have done much for their city, that
! high upon that list will be written
the name Of the man whom you all
admire, respect and love, your lead
| er, Ernest r. HILL"