Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-10-09

reopened. Scales. instrumental and
vocal. are available TO passing cars
any time OF day or evening. The next
thing is to have all these "get-to-
gether' first meetings OF the season
with program planning and general
stocktaking before the long list OF
musical events start their season S
bombardment
Among the earliest to assemble in
such meeting was the Federation
OF Music Clubs of the District OF Co.
lumbia. 4 meeting was held Tue sday
night at the home OF the president,
Esther Linkins, in which everything,
from the favorite hymns of Presi-
dents to the problem OF more park
benches for Summertime devotees OF
band concerts, was discussed. There
were remarks from various musical
oerSonages. including Miss Ellen Mel
son. from the State that is the home
OF the Mormons. Miss Nelson was
charming Young lady. and showed
that Utah is quite wideawake in mu-
steal interests. Rolla Onyun. new
dean OF the District Guild of Organ
lists, formally acknowledged that this
group wished 10 be affiliated with the
federation. There were detailed lists
of new members and old eXpendi-
lures. The evening was pleasurably
concluded by program OF songs by
Horace Smithey. baritone new to
local circles, who has a delightful
vav OF singing and a charming wife
as an excellent accompanist.
The problem of the evening that
remains in the memory for serious
consideration a decidedly construc-
tive, and even necessary, thing tor
WASHINGTON music -wishers to
ponder was the question of more CEN
trail location and more oonveniences
for citizens OF the Capital City who
would like to listen in comfort to the
fine performances offered every Sum-
mer by the three service bands.
IRON early Spring until October.
l. the three groups, the Army. Navy
and Marine Bands of the United
States Government. present well
thought out. we'll rehearsed and en-
thusias tically-received programs to
such citizens OF this fair city as can
motor TO the out-oi-the-way squares
and triangles in our city OF beautiful
distances in districts whose commu-
nifty groups have requested band pro-
grams. The only two places at all
centSalfy located for these concerts
are the United States Capitol steps
and the Sylvan Theater. on the Mon
ument Grounds. Those who have
followed the programs of the three
bands closely during the past season
may remember that both these loca-
tions have been generously utilized.
However, there is not enough space
or seating accommodation in either
of these two locations to anywhere
near handle the crowds who, other
wise. would congregate for those
concerts.
Across the big pond. in Germany.
Austria and Switzerland. the beer
gardens handled this problem of seat
ing capacity for audiences that
would listen to band music. They
not only offer the comfort OF chairs.
but also the possibility of varied
stimulating liquid refreshments. In
France the little cafes on the side
walks serve a similar purpose.
From experiences had personally
on a quite limited visit to European
countries. one is inclined to the con-
clusion that only in England, and
then for the higher type of program
offered by the famous symphonic or
ganization in the prom concerts. is
the audience largely Inconvenience
TO the standing point. At these con-
certs, given in historic old Queens
Hall. the entire orchestra floor is
cleared OF any suspicion of seating
arrangements. and hundreds of Lon
doners and visitors stand in packed
throngs nightly to hear these con-
eerts. while the limited balcony ca
pacitv of the house is filled with
American tourists who can afford to
pay higher. though even then very
reasonable, price for the comforts OF
sitting down through program that
lasts about two hours.
But it isn't necessary to go to the
continent to find comforts for band
concert devotees. Rather. go to the
Middle West-St. Louis. for instance,
where the recent cyclone did so much
damage. There. in a city where even
in war days many of the churches
had services in German as we'll as in
English, the large and attractive
parks near the center of the city have
many well arranged circular benches
for the audiences that gather there
nightly to hear band programs. In
addition to the generous accommo-
dations in the center of the park
around the bandstand, there are many
smaller benches at frequent intervals
farther away. where the music has
added charm of distance, and the au
ditor can sit amid fragrant, dusky
trees, with no glare. no crowd, yet
hear the music clearly and in COM
tort. And, of course. no one ever
mentions music and St. Louis with
out remembering the wonderfully ar
ranged open-air theatcr of Forest
Park. where performances OF Aida
have been given in regal splendor one
week and elaborate fashion shows
the next 1t is music that has paid
for the project here, just as in Wa sh-
irgton il has been grand opera that
has attracted the largest and most
distinguished crowds to an audito-
rum that was built for varied pur-
poses without the necessities Tor fine
operate productions even considered
in its construction.
n
WHEN Capt Stsnnard Of the Army
w Band doomed upon the horizon
OF the music desk the other day. the
query OF bandstands in more central
location, and its accompanying ques-
tons OF seating capacity, were put to
hin, He co;d .t,+ tIS hands Iayc all