The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-05-06
PEOPLES FORUM

CITES MUSICAL STATUS


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CITES MUSICAL STATUS
Editor, The Citizen:
In your editorial section of
Tuesday, May 8, the following
question was printed: "How does
Key West stand when its. musical
rcsources are weighed in the bal
ance?" AS supervisor of the local
Federal Music Project / would
like to help answer this question.
Key West should be proud of
its accomplishments unsteady
during the past three years. To
my knowledge no other city of
equal size or even larger, south of
Washington, ID. C.. has presented
the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas
or maintained a company of sing
ers which could be called a light
opera company. In the years
1895, '36 and 81, the presentation
of the operettas was the leading
annual attraction for the winter
season and although the local
people gave little support to the
activity much praise was received
from winter visitors, most of
whom were amazed to find such
musical activity in this part of
the country.
The Federal Music Project has
supported band unit in Key
West since February. 1896, and
with the assistance of local Spon-
sorship much new music has been
purchased and played to the de-
light of those who have attended
the many public concerts given.
Members of the band and many
volunteer musicians not employ
ed by the project have given their
best efforts in the promotion of
better music for Key West With
the constant rehearSing and per-
forming these musicians have de.
veloped into finer musicians than
ever before and the Hospitality
Band is now an organization
which any community should be
proud of. All that is lacking in
making each concert a successful
and enjoyable occasion is larger
audience and more applause.
Such small portion of the local
people attend the concerts given
that II would be most difficult for
many to answer your editorial
question.
Key West has had an abund-
ance of musical performances this
past season, more than ever be-
fore and each Of them worthy OF
greater praise and support. Did
you hear any of Miss Smiths Mu-
steals at the High School? No
finer programs could have been
presented in any city than that
given at the Christmas Vesper
Services. Did you hear any of
the concerts given by the Musical
Guild, at the Casa Marina or at
the Over Sea Hotel? All were
open to the public. Have you
heard the members Of the Bay
view Music Club and watched the
development OF some Of the chill
dren under Mrs. Warmers direc-
ton? Have you heard the recitals
and concerts given al the Convent
or the choirs in the churches?
Even the local dance orchestras
are worthy of your attention.
Great strides forward have been
made nusically in the past few
months but unless YOU. Mr.. and
Mrs. Key West. take an interest
and come. listen, applaud. en-
courage. and support these activi-
ties. all win be in vain.
A singers or musicians only
reward for the hours and years Of
study and work in trying to learn
his profession is realized only
when he hears some applause or
is handed a check for payment Of
his work. HDw little financial re-
ward has been received from local
sources and how little applause
II doesn't cost the listener any
thing to clap his hands long and
loudly and just this noise Is worth
more 70 many musicians than
many dollars. The Key West nnu-
sicianS have learned their profes-
sion but proper response from an
audience IS still lacking II takes
an audience a. well IS performers
% make a concert a success.
Key West stands high IN usu-
sicai resources A better question
might be. I4ow would Key West
stand II Local Interest IN her s1u-
seal resources was weighed IN
the bainnce7'
GEORGE MILLS WHITE
Key West. Pa.
May 5. 1893
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