Evening star., 1947-11-09
Fund to Endow
Symphony Is
Finally Started
By Alice Eversmon

Ills SedSOIl Ill IIlc NdtAOlloi 0Sih-
phony programs is the announce
ment OF the establishment of an en-
dovment fund for the orchestra. 1t
has taken II years to arrive at
that point, years in which the
life OF the organization was jeopar-
died time and again financially.
Yet 1t has survived all difficulties OF
war and peace and has gone forward
steadily in every progressive direc-
ton. 1t has taken its place in the
photograph world and 1t ranks high
as a friend of American talent and
an interpreter of the regular or
chestral repertoire. And all this
time it has. accomplished so much
without other support to be counted
upon than that given during the
yearly sustaining fund campaign.
1t is the only orchestra of note
that has never bad any endowment.
1t Is high time that this real neces-
sity be taken care Of. 1t has now
been started by money donated by
q few individuals who have laid the
cornerstone in the hopes that the
community will help to erect the
financial ediflce To the citizens of
this community goes the honor of
guaranteeing the existence Of the
orchestra each year, and that has
been simultaneously q pleasure, a
burden and worry. If their COM
y hined efforts could gather fund
that would lay the basis of security.
the regular income from concerts
would form a substantial revenue
for the seasons operations.
Broad Giving Stressed.
The idea is not to have donations
in four figures exclusively, although
these would be welcomed joyfully
Usually people are backward in
sending in small amounts, for the
word endowment" has q majestic
sound symbolic of generous none
tary giving. 1t is not meant to be
so restricted in this case. Just re-
Gently, following a concert, modest
check was sent in by some one who
was present. 1t would surprise the
donor to know what cheering effect
It had on the Board of Directors. 1t
was public acknowledgment Of
belief in and a desire for the or
chestra's future
The local musical public has
grown so accustomed to the Ma
tional Symphony that it is in danger
of forgetting the far-reaching serv-
ice 1t has given. People are justly
proud of what it has done under
the vigilant care of DR.. Hans Kind
Ter and acclaim it as the greatest
cultural asset in the city. But they
forget the wide and constant inf1u-
ence it has exerted on all the local
musical activities. 1t has, first of
all, been an educational institution.
It not only has educated the adults
through its programming of the best
music, classical and modern, but,
more important still, 1t also has ed
ucated the children. Here is the
music public of the future, and the
National Symphony has seen to it
that from that future public's ear
Hest childhood years the why's and
wherefores of good music have been
explained and demonstrated to 1t.
Stature Once Very Low.
Perhaps residents hare do not
realize how woefully behind Wash
ington ranked as a music center
before the establishment of the
symphony. 1t is not so regarded
now. Because there is definite
unit at the core of the city's cul-
tural life, there Is more respect
shown in the type of music visiting
artists present, and they in turn
benefit from public that has had
the opportunity to acquaint itself
with the best. The symphony has
acted as an impetus to study. for it
has made music beautiful and I'M
derstandable to students. 1t has
aroused ambition and competition,
two elements that act as vitamins on
Q community's cultural leanings.
There are many musical groups
and societies in the city that have
prof1ted by the Importance the SYM
phony has gained for music. Their
combined membership could go on
record as actively interested in the
laying of the endowment fund cor
nerstone. Individuals who treasure
the concert hours and what they
have given them can express their
gratitude. What a boast to make.
If the National Symphony could say
of It's fund: This comes from our
people who love and believe in
music"