Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12
MUSICIANS FORM
SYMPHONY GROUP
Rudolf SchueIIer to Lead in
Promising New Capital
Organization.

Eighty musicians of Washington, who
have chosen Frank Frost as president of
their governing board, have announced
the formation of the National Symphony
Orchestra They have chosen as their
leader Rudolf Schueller, director of the
opera school connected with the Cleve-
land Institute of Music. Mr.. Schueller
plans to make flying trips to the Capital
to conduct rehearsals such as the first
two held last Sunday and Monday
mornings, while the practical part OF
the organization of this orchestra was
, still in state of formation.
Representative citizens of Washington
who were present at that first rehearsal
and pledged their efforts to enlist their
organizations to back the orchestra, and
who now have done so. are Charles Darr
and Charles j. Stockman of the WASH
ington Chamber of Commerce, Gen. An
ton Stephan of the Merchants & Manu-
facturers Association and Mrs. Ger
trlde LYONS vice president of the Dis
trict of Columbia Federation of Music
Clubs. At Mondays rehearsal Mrs. Jo-
seph Stoddard. president of the Fedora
ton of Music Club here, and Mrs. Wal
ter Bruce Howe, distinguished MEM
Der of the Washington Composers Club,
gave brief but enthusiastic remarks on
George r. Gaul. spokesman pro tenn
for the orchestra, told of the plans hav-
ing been considered for some time, but
stated that they could not materialize
until a sufficient number of washington
musicians pledged themselves ready to
take part in so unusual cooperative
affair and until the civic organizations
pledged their support.
Frost Praises Musicians.
Frank Frost. newly elected president,
said Yesterday: 1T was the sporting
quality of these musicians in co-operat-
ing so completely and unreservedly that
won my allegiance. I feel that the
plans as they have been worked out
are not only feasible, but thoroughly
practical. We will give only three pro-
grams this Spring, the first probably
the end of this month, the second in
February and the third in March. Next
year we hope to establish full pro-
gram of varied activities. washington
has been one of the few great national
capitals that has had no symphony Or
chestra. 1t is now hoped that the
long-felt want in music of this type is
to be at last realized through the CO.
operative spirit of both musicians and
conductor. The new orchestra, named
purposely the National Symphony Or
chestra. instead of the washington
Symphony Orchestra. it is hoped, will,
organization of the worlds greatest
nation"
Plays Violin and Viola.
Mr.. Frost. who became nationally
famous for his success in the mining
industry, always has been musical. He
has played various instruments, al
though the violin is his favorite. At
present he plays the viola and is in the
viola section OF this orchestra. In
April, 1925. while he was still living in
California, where he made his home
until moving to Washington year ago
last Fall, Mr.. Frost gave one of the
most remarkable music festivals ever
given anywhere. in conjunction with
Mrs. Frederick s. Coolidge, the famous
patroness of music, who donated the
fund to build ana sustain the chamber
music hall in the Library of Congress
This festival, given in Ojai Valley,
Calf, presented among the famous art
lists participating Myra Hess, Harold
Samuels, Anne Thursfield, Hans Kinder,
The Barrere Ensemble. the London String
Quartet and the Persinger String Quar-
tet. A $1,000 cash prize was given a
string quartet written by, Heybrecht,
who later won one of Mrs Coolioge's
prizes for work presented first at a
festival given in Washington. Although
he has played in chamber music groups
for number Of years, this is Mr.
Frost's first appearance as a member OF
large symphonic orchestra.
The other oficers of the governing
board for the National Symphony Or
chestra are: Rudolf Schueller, vice
president; Sol Minister. secretary; Rob-
ert Staszny. treasurer. and George oaul.
orchestra representative and business
manager.
Rehearsal Showed Authority.
Mr.. Schueller, whose BACKGROUND
seems impressive and whose conducting
at the rehearsal Monday morning
showed authority and musicianship as
well as the intangible. necessary quail
lty Of leadership, announces as one
ideal In the program plan of this or
chestra the playing Of at least one work
BIZ an American composer at every con-
cert DR.. Edgar Stillman Kelley. emf
nent American composer. was present
at these first two rehearsals. He has
the honor of having his New England
symphony" chosen to appear with works
program. A work by Mary Howe, Wash.
lngton composer, Is to be given on the
February program.
Mr.. Schueller, who comes entirely
new to Washington audiences when he
appears in charge Of this orchestra at
this first program. was born July 81,
1884, at Bohemian Leipa, in the Ger
man part of Czechoslovakia. His musi-
cal training started at the age of 5.
When Is years old he composed his first
opera, which was produced in the cir
Gle Of his family. When Is years old
he conducted an orchestra OF so musi-
clans and several public performances
of his third opera. The Marriage OF
Urrianne, were given in his native
town.
From 1905 to 1907 he was opera coach
at the Ducal Court Theater at Dessau,
Germany. During this time one of the
foremost German music publishers in