Evening star., 1940-04-21


willingness on both sides to seek a;
solution is encouraging. However,
the serious trouble of the last few
months has cleared the air in many
respects for all concerned, while |
emphasizing more profoundly the
disaster to local music life that the
discontinuing of the National SYM
phony would mean.
One of the chief reasons for the
backwardness of musical apprecia-
ton in the Nations Capital has been |
the fact that there was no major |
civic enterprise in the musical field
that would bind together the differ
ent factions of social life here. The
National Symphony supplied that
need and the effects have been no
ticeable in every other musical en-
deavor in this city. The loss of such
an incentive would mean slack
ening of interest in music and a
return to that disorganized condi-
ton which existed before there was
something of such general appeal
and magnitude as the establishing
of local symphony to work for.
Music lovers of this city will have
no heart to build up another musi-
cal venture if the symphony Is
taken away from them. Many have
gone to some length to give from
their meager funds as much as they
could toward it's support, feeling
that not only they, personally, would
derive pleasure from the concerts
thus made possible, but that the
growing children would have an
appreciation of music instilled in
them that would color their future
life as citizens to a considerable ex-
tent. The spiritual worth of fine
music that was made part OF
daily living through symphony
built up by the people transcended
all other factors, although the op-
portunity for local musicians to
earn living was an important item.
To destroy that influence because
of material matters is serious
blow to an attitude of mind that
needs every encouragement in these
times of world trouble.
LApcTlcHCcs
However, many things have been
learned in the nine years of the
National Symphony's existence and
the profit should be felt in any new
adjustment. When, the symphony
was started everyone was new at
such an undertaking. The public
had no idea what it would mean to
support an orchestra over the long
period required for it to develop
to the first rank. The musicians,
many of them, had had no expert
ence in playing in such an ensemble,
and did not realize the hard work,
the discipline, and the tact required
of each one The board was new at
governing an organization of this
character, and the conductor had
not years of experience behind him
in this particular role.
Difficulties were bound to arise
and mistakes be made. Discomfort
could not be avoided among the
musicians nor certain weariness
in giving among the people called
upon for donations. This was all
quite apart from the labor difficult
ties that seem to have taken the
foreground of the picture DR.. Kind
Ter very wisely said at the dinner in
his honor Monday night that one
must pause moment before taking
greater leap forward. He also re-
marked that the foundation had
been firmly laid, comparing the
former musical conditions here to
a marsh into which stout oak trees
had to be driven before an edifce
could be erected.
During this time when the future
of the symphony hangs in the bal
ance, it would be well to stop and
consider, to sum up the value of
such an organization in civic life
and to decide whether it is worth
retaining and if so, how it is to be
retained. There should be perfect
understanding between the public
and those dealing with the man.
agement of the orchestra in matters
where both are concerned. There
should be a knowledge of what it
means to keep an organization of
this kind running from the angles
OF the board of directors, the man.
agement and the conductor. There
should also be an appreciation by
those In control of the symphony
OF the right of the contributors. the
ones who have invested their money
In the concern for the dividends it
pays in the privilege of hearing the
best music, to have an understand
Ing OF difficulties and the method
decided upon for solution.
No Model Elsewhere.
The circumstances surrounding
the maintenance of any symphony
In any other city cannot be taken
completely as model for one estab-
lished in Washington. Conditions
here are entirely different and reg
ulate the lives and the income of
those residing here. They must be
taken into consideration. In spite
OF the social glamour of the Capital
OF the United States, there is not so
much wealth here as elsewhere. The
majority of the population works for
Its living and the incomes, even in
the higher brackets, leave little over
for pleasure when everything is con-
sidered. They have not the means
to contribute lavishly nor an over
powering civic pride to urge them on
to great sacrifice
However, the National Symphony
Orchestra should belong to the Ma
ton. 1t has title that gives it to
the whole country. Would not one
solution be found in aiming for
more extended tours throughout the
country with shorter season in
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