Evening star., 1946-02-03
THE SUNDAY STAR, Washington D. c.
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY
Popularity Low
of Orchestras
In Radio Poll
Comedy Programs
Outrank Classics
BY ALICE EyERSMAN.


In the popularity ratings COM
piled frequently by the different
radio polls, the great orchestras Of
this country, which have weekly
programs, are near the bottom OF
the list. All comedy and amuse-
ment features outrank them by an
enormous percentage and only when
some glamorous singer is soloiSt,
does the orchestras' standing in
public favor increase. No matter
how jealous the confirmed music
listener is, the majority of the vast
population of this country is not in
terested in music of the better type.
Another illustration of this was
given by Emerson Myers at
luncheon by the Washington Music
Teachers Association last week at
which Mr. Myers told of his army
experiences. Part of his job had
to do with the planning and pro-
viding good music for the soldiers
and in his estimation, not more
than per cent wanted anything
but the popular variety. Even the
celebrated artists doing their bit
on the entertaining line, often had
but handful of people in their
audiences. Mr.. Myers told the
teachers that this was something
to ponder on to the end Of finding
out where the fault lies.
There is perhaps not a country
IN the world that spends more for
musical education. Public and
private schools, colleges and uni
versities, to say nothing Of the
many musical Conservatives, put
out thousands of dollars yearly for
their music departments and have
extensive and well-planned curric-
ulums. Students are maJorlng In
music to a vast number and clubs
have special departments where
musical subjects are studied at each
meeting.
What then, is the reason, that
with all this musical activity, and
the best to be heard by simply
turning a dial, the unseen audience
should prove to be so slight in COM
parison to that listening to Jack
Benny, Edgar Bergen or Fred Allen.
Naturally, these amusing programs
are popular, and rightly so, for
there is entirely too little OF good
fun to be had in the world anyway.
But surely all that is being done
for furthering the appreciation Of
music should be evident in public
taste and in that of the youthful
service men whose school days and
musical education were not too far
distant from their war experience.
1t is possible that music has not
been made to have the same human
touch that the renown comedians
bring to their art. The idea may
still be fostered that music has to
do with such profound thoughts
and is surrounded by many COM
pleXities so that, acquiring a knowl-
edge and liking for it, is just too
much of a task. Were the COM
posers and their great symphonies
denuded of awe, if their human
side and its relating in their works
was more stressed, the general
public would take them to their
hearts as readily as the radio artists
who so cleverly caricature our every
day frailties.
Children may be kept so busy
learning how to perform that they
! are not made conscious of the great
beauty laid before them. The
drudgery of learning is not soon
forgotten and when such terrible
events as war overwhelm us, 1t Is
but natural that the lighter, the
gayer and the more thoughtless
type of music would be sought as
a distraction. Good music brings
solace and refreshment to older
people; it should bring joy and in
spiration to the younger genera
tions. It is of them that we must
think, building both for the present
and the future. The war years
have been a test of the value of
many things. Have we failed in
making good music essential to the
youth in their time of trial?