Evening star., 1933-12-17

Mr.. Key begins his article thus:
Music, in the United States, Is at the
crossroads. One direction leads to 6
consolidation CT forces that guarantee.
a vast increase in the spreading of en-.
Joyment and in music's civic useful.
ness"
Forced in the other direction, music
can be thrust INTO corner from which
emerge"
"The problem of adequately providing
for increased leisure, which has already
reached formidable proportions, may
prove the salvation OF music a.
well as the other fine arts Every COM
munity, small as well as large, is faced
with a responsibility greater perhaps
than may at the moment be realized
because it transcends material needs to
the vital need of safe guarding the peo-
pies morale. Patriotism and sense OF
Justice demand that, as soon as may be
deemed fitting and practicable, We
should have n Government department
OF fine arts"
The Government aids industry. agri-
culture and commerce 1t appropriates
huge sums OF money for the welfare OF
those engaged in those callings, and il
passes laws designed to secure for them
desirable living conditions. But what
OF the line arts? What. especially, of
music?"
Can it be that Congress is unin-
formed of the fact that We have So, 900
orcheStras and DandS made up of l.
100000 pupils IN the high and second
ary schools Of the land; that 100000
other pupils who are rot members study
some music Instrument. and that 90
100000 children are either members of
the innumerable Schoo' choruSes or sing
in the exercises that take place twice
daily in these schools where 10000
music supervisors haye done and still
are doing great things?"
twenty-five million school children
interested Of their own accord in either
singing or playing Some music instru-
ment! A few yearS hence it will be
25,O00,0O0. The coming citizens of the
land; many of them future leaders,
shapers of the Nations destiny
all benefitting by tie influence of good
music. Isn't that something for our
Representatives and Senators to give
heed TOP"
Mr.. Key further evolves a general
plan: To stimulate and spread the ap-
probation and understanding of music
and other fine arts in the United States,
to the end that growing numbers of
people may derive pleasure, satisfaction,
and cultural benefits from them"
To organize and encourage the artis-
tic resources Of the nation for their
more widespread acceptance and use,
as consequence of the growth of our
increased leisure"
To encourage the development and
appreciation of the artistic and aes-
thetic sides of life among the children,
for their greater happiness and spirit
ual welfare throughout life"
To encourage the creative abilities Of
our markedly gifted citizens; and
wherever possible, to aid them to attain
self-sustaining basis
ITO endeavor, through every possible
practicable means, to secure for Ameri-
can artists-interpretati and creative
"a recognition based solely on their
talents and abilities. to the end that
they shall not be placed Con the un-
justif1able basis of nationality alone) in
a position secondary to foreign artists"
ITO work for the regular inclusion, on
all symphony schedules, of a represen-
tative number of American orchestral
compositions"
ITO bring about better distribution
of music and the other arts among COM
munities eager to welcome these arts
If shown how, and otherwise aided, to
achieve those ends"
For years the idea of this article has
been handled back and forth at every
musical conference that has taken
place, but the matter has ended there.
The easy way o. living to which We
have become accustomed with plertV