Evening star., 1936-07-04
By Alice EverSman.
is the birth anniversary


enshrined in the hearts of people
No better or finer reason is needed for
elevation to the ranks Of the elite than
the apparent simple one OF stirring
the emotions of his countrymen to
tender sympathy for courageous en-
deavor. This, Stephen Foster did
through his beautiful melodies. which
are known and loved throughout the
length and breadth Of the land. To
countless numbers he has brought the
fairy touch of beauty or the more Wig
orous spur to courage, fulfilling his
part in the national life through the
eenius Of his musical creation.
Nor was his influence of a single
period or belonging to a particular
era, nor to certain type of indi-
vidual. Although his native land has
grown in sophistication and economic
power since the day in which he
lived, the charm of his simple and
touching musical gift has not dimin-
ished. In fact, today, 110 years after
his birth and 70 from the year Of
his death. Stephen Foster is honored
by musicians and laymen with a
greater esteem, that bids fair to in
crease as time passes, and the coun-
try has fewer geniuses of his type
to reach the hearts of all classes of
people with their musical thoughts.
But the appeal of Stephen Fosters
music is not confined to this country,
nor is his music of such purely ma
tional character that its appreciation
Is not readily accorded from other
countries. Today, the works of Foster
are known over the world. and the
manner in which the knowledge was
brought to other musical nations Is
an interesting story of how a mere
suggestion carried surprising results.
THROUGH the unselfish efforts Of
Josiah K Lilly in Indianapolis
valuable Fosteriana has been given
resting place in Foster Hall, beau
tiful building erected on a hillside
in the suburbs of Indianapolis, sur
rounded by woods, orchards and
gardens. Here reposes q splendid
collection of original letters and
manuscripts, and precious first edi-
tions, together with everything per-
tanning TO the life and work of Stephen
Foster.
From this shrine, three years ago,
bulletin of the aims and purposes
of Foster Hall was sent to Franklin
Adams. at that time counselor of the
Pan American Union. Mr.. Adams,
whose life work was making known
Latin-American music to the people
of this country, seized an opportunity
offered by a friend in Caracas, Vene-
zuela, to send two compositions of the
beloved composer of the United States
10 be played by the National Band of
that city, at Fourth of July celebra-
tion. Way Down South" and Gems
From Stephen Foster we're the num-
bers forwarded.
Mr.. Adams wrote Mr.. Lilly: I'VE
have since learned that the Foster
music made a deep impression and
that at its first rendition there were
two encores. My American friend
does not recall any other selections
ever having been played three times
in one concert in Caracas"
Further in the letter he voices the
suggestion that was to be the start
ing point from which a worldwide
appreciation of Americas musical poet
was to grow:
THE success in Caracas of Gems
mind the thought that it would be
splendid thing If band arrangement
could be made of Fosters most i'm
pressive numbers, so that the distribu-
ton over the world would not be
handicapped by copyright restrictions.
The band arrangements should not
be expensive and am sure that the
Union could place such an issue with
all the leading bands in Latin Amer
ica. The people of other American
republics respond to melodic selec-
tions. so it is easy to understand
why Stephen Fosters numbers charm
them"
MR.. LILLY not only accepted the
idea with enthusiasm but agreed
30 publish the arrangements in large
quantities at his own expense. To
Luis Guman, the talented Colom-
bian, who is a member of the Marine
Band and whose arrangement of Latin
American music has been heard often
on the pan-American programs, was
confided the complicated work of ar
ranging 20 of Fosters finest melodies
for this distribution. Thousands of
copies were sent to South America,
this country and Canada, with the re-
suit that Fosters works were fea-
tured on many important programs.
The success in South America was
phenomenal, the interest in and ap-
probation Of the beauty Of the music
being sincere and instantaneous. Only
recently, on April 2. the 125-piece
band Of Sac Paulo, Brazil, gave half
OF its program to Foster, the other
half being in honor of the great Bra
kilian composer, Gomez.
Letters of thanks and appreciation
Rave been received by Mr.. Lilly from
China, the Philippines and Hawaii,
where Fosters music has been played.
TIE Garde Republicaine of Paris has
Included many of his works in its rep
ertoire and other European cities are
asking for copies, having heard of
their lyric beauty. Thus, by the fore
sight Of Mr.. Adams, has the music
Of Stephen Foster been made known
30 every nation in the world. Not only
Il America indebted to him for the
opportunity to become acquainted
sVith the music of our sister repub-
lies, but the works Of our own COM
poser Of truly national feeling have
been received with tender regard by
Strangers.
RESDES Foster Hall, other memori-
ais have been founded, the latest