Evening star., 1937-09-25
Rebirth in American Music
Seen in Federal Project
In One Months Time SO, 200 w. P. A.
Musicians Left Rolls for
Private Employment.

Ior expression characteristic OF our
people. What classical works there
are appear small in bulk in compar-
ison with the Old World. The logical
answer Is that the people Of the Ma
ton, actually the guiding factors in
music expression, are indifferent.
1t appears that the general rush
prevailing in this Nation has left little
time for consideration of the So
termed cultural" such as music
Music, in reality, is not so much an
art as it is basic pleasure which
emanated originally from man. And
1t is on this basis that the Federal
Music Project functions.
MUSIC is being placed before the
masses in this programmed
forced upon them, but offered Out
side of the instructors to develop tai
ent, there are large numbers who talk
history and theory and demonstrate
music appreciation before the mu-
sically inclined public, who attend
project concerts of their own volition.
The significant result has been total
turnout of hundreds of thousands,
about equally divided between adults
and children. 1t has been estimated
that two-thirds of the 100000 chill
dren in $4,000 rural schools were
without musical education in any
form before the project started.
Illustrating the reception of this
scheme there is story of an Okla
homa music teacher under the project
who ventured into a blizzard one
school day with little expectation of
finding any of his pupils on hand
for the lessons. Upon his arrival at
the school there were IL children
huddled behind corner of the build
ing, disregarding wind. whirling snow
and diving temperature while waiting
for classes.
The astounding figure of 77,OO0, 900
listeners represents attendance at
about 10000 project performances
since last october. These facts speak
for themselves.
While there is no provision to in
clude composers in the Federal move
ment, that large class of musicians
is being amply provided for. Com
positions receive the primary con-
slderatlon of those who govern prof.
ect performances. This encourage
ment has brought to light a wealth
of creative talent unforeseen by the
Federal unit. An analyses group which
complies and studies these works al
ready lists 622 American composers
whose works have been performed
between october and June. The total
numbers of American compositions
played by Federal Music Project units
in that period stood at 1,843, excluding
numerous repeat performances. All
types of works are represented in this
figure.
| NDER the Federal plan any per-
son who has written music manu-
script may submit it to an addition
board of non-relief musicians in his
district. Where the work has been
regarded as possessing sufficient merit
1t is performed at a rehearsal. This
gives the composer an opportunity
for change or correction. When con-
ductor and musicians approve the
composition after rehearsal reading
1t is scheduled for early public per-
formance. Works scoring success are
often played all over the country by
w. P. A. units.
Another prime aid to the American
composer is the Composers Forum
Laboratory, which has given public
performance to so authors in larger
cities all over the country. The
principal object of the forum is to
give the public wide perspective of
the work of each composer, as we'll
as to give serious native composers.
both known and unknown, an oppor-
tunity to hear their own numbers
and to test audience reactions. Fol-
lowing such program the composer
Is exposed to questions directed to
him by the audience. 1t has been
noted that queries are often searching
and generally intelligent, concerning
his methods and mathematics. his
emotional intentions and esthetic per-
suasions.
The project is aiming at the heart
OF the Nation, to start a steadier
current of the American musical
stream. 1t is providing opportunity
for the already established though
middle-class musician. American mu-
sic is being organized and watched
over, championed in a manner that
oodes great promise for the future.