Evening star., 1940-02-18

OICacSUTd, dIlQ Vic QuduGy VI CdlCIl1
astonished the judges of these young
musicians-who cannot be older
than Is years of age-but made them
speak with pride Of these youthful
players of this country.
The future orchestra has been
called in various news releases the
AL United States Orchestra" and
the "An American Youth Orchestra"
Mr.. StokowsH told a group of
diplomats in December that he
hoped to have the orchestra COM
posed of youthful musicians from
every State in the Union" and again
that he planned ito recruit 100 of
the Nations best instrumentalists
for his tour"
Broad Foundation.
He also explained that he had no
prejudice as to race or sex, that there
were many fine woman instru-
mentalists in the country, and that
he would particularly like to have
colored players in the percussion
section.
In spite of the prospective names
for the orchestra, it is not quite clear
whether it will be composed exclu-
sively OF Americans. A letter from
the National Youth Administration
in response to a query as to whether
American citizenship is required by
the musicians selected brings this
answer:
"Dr. Stokowski has stated that 1t
is his desire that the musicians
selected be American citizens, and
that insofar as it is possible, each
State be given representation, but
American citizenship has not been
made a requirement for those par
ticipating in the preliminary audi
tions, as every effort Is being made
to give all musically inclined young
people this opportunity. 1t Is the
hope Of DR.. stokowski and the Ma
tional Youth Administration that
these additions may serve as a
survey Of the musical resources OF
the country"
Opportunity Awaited.
It would seem rather important to
make this point Of American citizen
ship quite clear, especially II the
orchestra is to go out under the
name of "All American Youth Or
chestra." The opportunity which
this proposed tour, planned to start
In May and end the last Of July,
offers to the young musicians
throughout the land is one that has
long been awaited. 1t provides the
occasion to prove itself, to gain rec
ognition and experience that the
American youth has wanted for some
time. It would be a pity If some Of
this eagerly-awaited opportunity
should be given to musicians Of other
countries and the real American ma
ture OF the cultural gesture OF
friendship toward Latin American
republics be incomplete. Also, If
American citizenship is a necessary
requirement for the orchestra when
its members are finally chosen, it
seems unfair to awaken hopes in
those not belonging. And what are
the other opportunities to which "a
survey Of the musical resources Of
the country" will lead?
When the A Cappella Choir Of
First Congregational Church. un-
der the direction Of Ruby Smith
Stahl, gives its annual concert at
Constitution Hall on March II, there
will be included in the program a
number specially written for and
dedicated to Mrs. Stahl and the
A Cappella Choir by r. Deane
Shure Of this city. It is called Red
River in the Night" Here is the
story about the writing Of it as
Mr.. Shure tells it:
"A friend Of mine who was an
entertainer in France during the
World War was stationed In q hut
near q river where was billeted a
Negro regiment. Each night she
would hear this Negro regiment sing
q very weird and fascinating song.
She could not catch the words or
the music. One night when one Of
the Negroes came into her hut she
asked him the name OF the song.
He said it was Red River In the
Night" When she returned to this
country she Immediately asked me
to find it and arrange it for four
part chorus. We began the search
and the more we searched the less
we learned about it. Finally I got
Mr.. Waters of the music division
Of the Library of Congress to help
in the search. I also got members
OF Howard University faculty inter-
ested In the search and even Ne