Evening star., 1937-05-15


to be said on both sides of the question,
foremost among which Is the necessity
Of America waking up to the need Of
a selfish attitude. If it would foster
the artistry within its midst and which
is receiving acclaim all over the world.
Where great art is concerned, there
must ever be a desire to share it, but
the outstanding talent Of every coun-
try has little difficulty in reaching the
recognition it deserves, and these are
not the individuals who would suffer
from any closed attitude toward art
by this country.
It has long been an accepted fact
that each country develops its national
outlook in art, keeps it in form un-
derstandable for its own people, and
protects its native eXponents. This
country is the only one which has
placed the foreign artist above it's
native talent and poured its money
into the laps Of strangers and given
them its enthusiastic support. We have
needed foreign artists and have prof
ited by knowing them, just as we
have needed and protited by the i'm
portation of laborers to help IN the vast
commercial enterprises for which we
are famous as Nation. But the
time came when a limit had to be
placed on immigration in order to give
Americans chance to earn liveli-
hood and now the time has come to
admit the same need as regards artists.
WHILE Americans were brilliantly
original in contributing to the
progress of the material side of life,
they had to go to school to learn the
rudlments Of art. Foreign teachers,
foreign artists and foreign managers
were our instructors, and for many
years we earnestly sat at their feet and
reverently absorbed all their knoWl-
edge. We were so humble in our at
titude that seldom was there a
question as to the quality Of instruc-
ttop We were receiving.
Modestly We esta blished conServa-
tories Of music, advertising every
foreign teacher on the faculty, and
were astonished that now and then
some American artist stepped out from
these schools and challenged the
recognition Of the world In later
years, because necessity forced us to
remain at home, and because of the
energy Of few local citizens the
musical activity of this country has
Increased enormously, imbued with
the same progressive spirit which has
distinguished all our endeavors. What
edge Is that, as a nation, we are far
in advance of all others in musical
standards and, to great extent, in
musical appreciation. A stay OF
reasonable length in other countries,
with a study of conservatory cur
riculums and concert and opera pro-
auctions, will prove that statement.
Now, with all that in being done to
educate the young people Of this
country in music, what will they do
efterward? Will they be able to earn
living with music or have assistance
in perfecting themselves in some line?
What does the future hold for all the
students and the earnest and talented
individuals? II orchestras, the con-
cert and opera fields and the best
teaching positions are filled with
foreigners, what will all these count
less Americans have to look forward
to? 1t is only sensible that America
take care OF its own and reserve
every opening for their promotion.
EUROPEAN countries make no
secret about their favoring native
talent and 1t is growing more and
more difficult for outsiders to become
part of their musical life. Protests
naturally arise from Americans who
have in some way found their first