Evening star., 1943-08-15
Postwar Planning
OF Music's Future
Must Begin NoW
BY ALICE EVERSMAN.

The world is as much concerned
to be done in the postwar period as
with the way the war is going. The
reconstruction of countries and the
planning for the financial future of
men in the service is recognized
already as of vital Importance. In
the new world that will rise from the
ashes of the old what place will
music have and what will be done
about it. 1t is just as we'll to begin
thinking and planning for this new
era which will surely open for music
and its deevotees.
Among the grave problems that
have confronted the ordinary man
when called to the colors, very little
thought has been given to what it
means to the musician. These are
men who have spent their years in
perfecting themselves in music.
They have been, in certain sense,
in world apart. Now they are one
with their brothers in fighting for
the existence of principals they un-
derstand, perhaps, in keener way
than others who have not known the
spiritual essence that music distills
in those who follow it.
When these men come out of the
service they will be old in expert
ences of which they never dreamed.
How will they take up the threads
of living and adjust their present
attitude to the past. Will they want
to take up their careers again, what
ever they may be, or will they be
useless in helping in the musical
reconstruction that will come after
the war. Some thought will have to
be given to assisting these musician
soldiers back to their former work
Although many have benefited by
the interest the various branches
of the service have shown in the
musically endowed, others have not
been so fortunate.
After the war is over will the
same music mean the same as it did
before? Will the reaction be toward
lighter music that can bring a
carefree state OF mind or toward
music Of depth and sentiment which
will heal the wounds of the spirit?
Or will the modern harmonies that
still slightly bewiloer become what
the world is seeking in musical eX-
preston? Will our concerts be Of
the old order or will something new
take their place? Will musical in
struction be in the same paths as
previously or will the new genera
tion have new methods of study?
This country has been a refuge
for a great number of musicians Of
all kinds, and sanctuary has been
gladly given them What part will
they play in the new order? Will
they cling TO demoded European
outlook and still feel that it is bet
ter than any born in the New
World or will they become one with
us IN building up a greater national
music? Will our Conservatives be
filled with refugee teachers, SO that
the American trained can get no
work to do, and will our concert
4oCH icdluIc loIeleH dIllSIS 10
the elimination of the native born?
These are the things that must
have the consideration of musical
leaders of the country. Here will be
the opportunity to do away with the
outworn and substitute the new, to
revise much that has gotten into a
rut and to direct the future course
Surely, no one can turn again to
music after the upheaval the war
has caused with the same attitude
and the same ideas. 1t can be made
finer and more reWarding if We be-
pin To nlan now