The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-05-09


cal residents, particularly some Of OF
younger artists, and concludes wit
satisfaction that Bismarck compare
favorably. in this respect, with othe
cities in the nation.
A year ago Bismarck residents, a
individuals, dug into their pockets t
raise fund whereby musical instruc
ton could be continued in our pub
lie schools. This was and Is q basi
thing. for the achievements Of tn
more highly skilled individual are no
after all, the true measure Of musica
appreciation. Only when every in
dividual understands and participate
in the making Of music, each accord
ing to his own taste and ability, Cal
we be said to have a musical nation
Mass instruction in the basic element
Of music Is a necessary forerunne
to such a condition.
Meanwhile, it is possible to surve.
the general field Of music and not
its advancement during the last few
years, for the depression contributed
much to musical America. It forced
people to look for entertainment a
home, to take on the Job of amusing
and entertaining themselves. Thu
result has been a rapid increase II
both the amount and quality Of So
called chamber music which. aftel
all, is the only real measure of a ma
tons musical bent.
Great symphonies and music hal
presentations have their place, but
they do not stir the soul of America
The parlor piano. and the instruments
which can be conveniently grouped
around it. does that. The little groups
taken en- masse, are far more i'm
portant than the big ones.
Bismarck's little symphony, multi
piled ten thousand times. to include
other similar groups In the nation, is
of vastly greater importance to the
culture Of America than all Of our
so-called great organizations put to-
gether. These small groups. rather
than the larger ones. are serving to
lift the level of Americas musical
standard.
The radio has done much to aid In
the musical taste Of the
nation, to help us find ourselves in
a musical way and to assist in the
of music which may
truly be called American.
Right now. it seems clear, we are
not up to the classics. Beethoven,
Brahms and similar composers leave
the average individual cold. Much
as the unsteady elite may regret this
fact, 1t is true.
On the other hand we have passed
the pinafore stage as represented by
jazz music and the great Jazz orches-
tras of yesteryear now are playing
music Of type which may yet give
America q place in the worlds cul-
tural sun. II we cannot appreciate
the intricacies Of an Etude In q Ma
jor We can at least get an emotional
thrill from a Rhapsody in Blue.
II Brahms composition fails to
win applause, we can depend on the
so-called semi-classical works of
Nevin and the folk songs Of Foster
to strike responsive chord in the
American heart.
For the musical background Of
America Is that Of the Little Brown
Church In the Dell" It was there
that many OF our forefathers gave
vent to their musical urge in the
songs Of camp meeting time. We
may not be . particularly religious
nation but there is no denying the
hold which the robust old hymns, as
we'll as some Of the fine new ones,
have upon our lyrical consciousness.
The American people understand and
them. They are something
in which We all can participate and
this fact accounted, in large meas
ure, for the popularity Of the Seth
Parker radio program. The homely
of the groups leader
were merely sidelight for the great
army of listeners.
America is singing, whistling ma
ton. It is unsteady inclined, ac-
cording to its own tastes. The result
is to make, in an increasing meas
ure, a music week of every week In
the year.