Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22
/ ANS KINDER whose might as a
conductor as we'll as celliSt was
y clearly indicated last year in the
meritorious but somewhat fleeing
ninIn h, l,,nilk Il


clearly indicated last year in the
meritorious but somewhat fleeing
orchestra which he built up and
had charge of. has been in town during the
past week laboring over another orchestral
building process. Mr.. Kinder says it will be
either now or never. In other words, he will
'chuck the whole business" if things do not go
through properly within the next month or so.
One can't help hoping but that the gods will
be with him. Looking over the list which he
has prepared of 10 reasons why Washington
should have its own symphony orchestra, 1t
seems as If there should be eleventh
namely that with such an industrious chief as
Mr.. Kinder there should be every reason in
the world for having an orchestra here. There
very few musicians who would take the time
and the trouble as this eminent celliSt has done
to foster such project In city that Is not
his own. But Mr.. Kinder says it is his ambi-
ton to see Washington with orchestra.
And when such a man has an ambition out
side of his cello, he goes after it-and how!
Interviewed recently at the Mayfower, Mr..
Kinder seemed fairly excited. YES" he adj
mitted, 1--WE have third of the sum that we
shall need. But why-oh, why?" And then
ne went on to tell of the trials and the trbu
lations which had been besetting him, and the
ladies who promised thousands of dollars and
then Cancelled their gifts when they found a
social enemy to the same COM
mittee. and yet he continued, there are
two people from Philadelphia, even, who have
contributed very large sums, only because they
feel that it is a disgrace for the Capital of the
United States not to have its own orchestra"
And herewith are Mr. Kindlers reasons for
the existence of such orchestra, and If, after
reading them. any one thinks otherwise. they
should be thrown TO the winds after decap-
tation:
THAT Washington. the Capital Of the United
States, should have its own symphony orchestra
is obvious when we consider that every city
comparable to it in size has orchestra and
Washington has none.
"Children's concerts. developing love for
music and the finer things in life. have been
considered of importance everywhere. Wash
ington is without childrens concerts.
las outside orchestras travel less and less,
one Of these days the city may find itself with
out any symphony music, unless it has its own
orchestra by that time.
Last year Washington musicians gave sew
era1 orchestral concerts with such conspicuous
success that now is the appropriate time to start
what would be a living monument to any one
who would contribute toward its establishment
We need only consider the glorieS which the
Boston, the New York the Chicago, the Phila-
delphIa and other orcheStraS spread on their
respective cities.
THE total cost of "a concerts g symphony
popular and children's concertS) would be
approximately $4,000. This amount would be
lessened by every dollar taken in for tickets
sold C$3O.0O0 Tor "a concerts Is very con-
Servative box Office sale) and by every net
receipt Of outside. radio and other engage
mentS.
The Washington orchestra could eventually
supply large part of the South with f1rSt-class
symphony music.
Every cent spent on the Washington orcheS-
ira would remain in Washington, whereas now
1t mainly goes for outside attractions.
"A minimum of rs first-clasS musicians would
earn living under artistic conditions, where
they now exc out an existence in whatever way
they can This would relieve unemployment.
Eventually, Summer concerts, such as are
now given in the New York Stadium, the Holly
wood Bowl. the Berkeley Theater in San Fran
cisco. Robin Hood Dell in Philadelphia, ETC.,
would be an enormous civic attraction.
In time a Washington symphony orchestra
might. and should, become national orcheS-
ira
THIS Is unquestionably the most vigorous year
that the Boston Orchestra has had FeSti-
walls seem to be bobbing up with it as regularly
as certain artists farewell appearances" Not
satisfied with having given extremely ambi-
tiouS Beethoven festival which Is said to have
resulted in Conductor Serge KouSsevitzky taking
to his bed for a week, a neat little pamphlet
bears new evidence: Bach Festival by the
Boston Symphony Orchestra. To be given in
che orcheStra's fiftieth season in honor of its
sOunder. Henry L. Higginson. March "a, IS. 26.
n 26 and 30"