Evening star., 1942-04-15
Luncheon Opens Drive
OF National Symphony
For Sustaining Fund
Workers Hear TuIks by
Dr.. WuIter Domrosch
And John Erskine

The National Symphony Orches-
ira opened Its $4,000 sustaining
fund campaign yesterday on the
note of assurance from DR.. Walter
Darnrosch, dean OF American con-
ductors. that music such as 1t pro-
duced is "the one great refuge from
the terrible desolation OF the war"
This message came by radio from
New York at a luncheon at the
Mayfiower Hotel marking the for
NAL advent of the drive. Scores OF
campaign workers also listened to
an address by John Erskine, we'll
known author. who was introduced
by Roger J. Whiteford, local attor-
ney, as postmaster.
Speaking in a vein that swung
repeatedly from the light to the
serious, Mr. Erskine said the prob
lem OF all orchestras Is TO find all
the ways 10 reach all the people who
love music" When this is done. he
advised. an orchestra's budget works
itself out.
Congress Culture Barometer"
In opening his talk. Mr Erskine
reminded Washington that 1t must
have an orchestra as a sort OF
barometer OF the culture OF Con-
gress"
You're probably engaged in the
most important business in Wash
Sneton today" he told the cam
paign workers. When We have
come to love beauty, something has
happened TO us. We see 1t on the
faces of people listening to music,
never at any other time. And you
can notice the change In their
faces when they leave the concert
hall"
Mr.. Erskine cautioned the workers
that they may have hard time
raising the money in the present
drive because not all the people
have practiced music"
But wait until the youngsters
come along who have practiced and
You'll notice the change" he con-
tinued. They will realize the dim
Guilty the masters OF music have.
Appreciation increases.
"I suspect when you started your
orchestra here In Washington q gal
lery was considered large enough
to take care of the common people
who didn't appreciate music. Now
there Is not a hall In the country
large enough to take care OF them
The message from Or. Damrosch
came during the early part of the
luncheon.
Whether in peace or in war" the
famous conductor said in urging
residents to cooperate with the
local drive. "life is always battle,
and for the inevitable turmoil of
the spirit, music Is often not only
palliative but a solution OF all
dissonances. However, even In times
of national peace, an organization
like the National Symphony Or
chestra of Washington deserves the
constant support in conscious graft
tude for what 1t offers to Washing
ton citizens"
He said it ranked high among the
major orchestras of the country, and
added: In these terrible days of
stress and anxieties, music such as
Is performed by the National Sym
phony Orchestra carries with 1t
much more than the Joy OF music.
1t is the one great balm, the one
great refuge from the terrible desc
lation of the war In which we are
now engaged"
ST. Johns Rector Speaks.
Other speakers at the luncheon
were E. K. Finkenstaedt. general
chairman for the drive, and DR., c,
Leslie Glenn, rector of st. Johns
Church. Washington, and at present
a chaplain in the Navy
DR.. Glenn. after describing music
as a great consolation to the armed
services, said it is important now
because of democracy,
"One thing democracy means" he
explained, lis spreading the good
things in life to the most people"
The orchestra's drive will continue
through Saturday, April Is.
Because OF It's interest 10 the
music world. transcription of Mr..
Erskine's address will be given over
the Blue Network from 7;45 to s pm.
today.