The Wilmington morning star., 1945-06-22
By ADELINE MCCALL

ingly aware OF the dept tney owe
to it's conductor, DR.. Benjamin
Swain.
AS they watch the tall figure OF
this man with the baton-Who
directs symphonies from memory,
bringing out by subtle shadlngs
and dynamic power the finest
that the Orchestra has to give
they seem to feel that here is
conductor who really knows how to
concuct and conductor W h o
really knows his music.
The orchestra members share
this feeling and smile approvingly
as he is called back to the stage
time after time for encoures at the
end of the program.
Conductor Swain, on his part,
justly proud Of the artistry of the
IS musicians on the stage in front
of him diverts the applause to his
players with a sincere gesture of
appreciation.
To realize the full significance of
this fine spirit of cooperation be-
tween players and conductor, and
of what BENJAMIN Swain means to
tn Nor h Carolina Symphony Or
chestra, one has to know the man
himself.
His generosity, his shyness, his
great honesty and integrity, and
above al. his belief in the spiritual
values of fine music are the sur
prising attributes of man who is
not only dynamic conductor,
but whose life is lived in utilizing
his artistry for the benefit of 9th
ers.
Since 1889, '7-aen the North Caro-
lima Symphony Society was re-
organized, DR.. Swelin has given
his services free, spa-ing neither
time nor energy in the accomplish
ment of his mission to bring the
best symphonic music to the peo-
pie of North Carolina.
1t true there is an agreement
between him an the Symphony
Society that he is to receive a
dolla-- a year. But, he is such a
busy man he USUALLY forgets to
collect that.
RehearsaIs Throughout State
One weekend, after strenuous
bus trip, DR.. Swain arriving home
well after midnight, said to his
wife, What do people do with all
of their timer" And Mrs. Swain,
who is used to late and irregular
hours attending to counties details
that must be worked out before
each concert of the Orchestra. had
no answer. But she knows that she
and DR.. Swain have time only for
hard work.
In order to maintain standards
of excellence among the players
who make up his orchestra, DR..
Sv'alin travels from one enc of the
state to the other, holding unit re-
hearsals. Since he carries a regul-
ar teaching schedule at the Uni
versity of North Carolina. he has
to do most of his travelling on
week-ends.
This means standing up on buses,
often times arriving late and tired
at his destination. But no personal
sacrifice is too great. for DR.. Swa-
lin thinks far more Of improving
tn quality of the orchestra than he
does of his own comfort. He even
walked five miles in an ice storm
winter before last in order not OF
miss an orchestra rehearsal.
Is Excellent Teacher
Who is this man-North Caro-
linian by adoption-who is giving
his time and his talent that the
state may have a Symphony Or
chestra?
BENJAMIN Swain came to the
University of North Carolina nine
years ago from De Paw Univer-
sity. The lure of the south must
have been strong from the beginn-
ing. 1t soon became apparent that
with Swain, Music, the art he
serves, came first.
Whether in the classroom, where
he is known and admired by count
less students for his excellent cours-
es in music history and appreciat-
ion, or on the concert stage giving
violin recital. DR.. Swain disnlavs
an ease of manner that could come
only form a love and mastery of
his profession. and a remarkable
breadth of background.
Comes Of Musical Family
Talented even as a child, Ben
iamin Swain began to take lessons
on the violin at the age of seven.
His father was an amateur violin
list. and his two brothers and two
sisters were also musicians. He
was encouraged by his musical
family from the start; but it was
his own ambition and determinat-
ion which led him on.
His first pupil was newspaper
customer on his paper route: and
at the age of 16 he was teaching al
a Conservatory of Music in St.
Paul. MINI. The neighboring city
OF Minneapolis where he lived soon
discovered his talent, and two
years later he became a member
OF the violin section of the Mime
apolis Symphony Orchestra.