Evening star., 1948-06-20
Music Fair
Seeks to Enlist
Wide Support
By EIeno de Soyn

The Worlds Fair Of Music. the
first exposition of the kind ever pre-
sented In this country, will be held
at the Grand Central Palace OF
New York City, for one week begin
ming July 10 through "a. The theme
OF the fair is to awaken interest In
music through performances, exhi-
bitions. forums, radio, television and
moving pictures. Symphony orches-
tras. popular and concert bands.
choral groups, soloists and ensemble
players will be featured three times
daily on the first four floors OF
the palace.
Something on this order was at
tempted in 1889 during the New
York Worlds Fair. Advisory COM
mittees were formed in every de-
partment Of the arts, representation
sought in all forms Of music and
an active participation Of foreign
countries talked about. However, the
program was abandoned as being
too costly and was limited to an
exhibit Of musical instruments, band
concerts in various sections Of the
fair grounds and concerts In the
Temple of Religion where organ re.
citals and choral singing were oc-
casionally varied by soloists. Music
was lost among grandiose exhibits
Of machinery, food. agricultural
products and entertainment adapted
to the popular taste.
Better Response Merited.
1t is hoped that this time the
cause will encounter greater re-
sponse. The entire country has been
invited to participate in one way or
another. Local organizations have
been contacted to sponsor some ac-
tivities while others will be conduct
ed on commercial or educational
grants. Awards have been promised
to those judged In competition as
being the fairs best. They viii be
extended to departments Of publici-
ty. display and advertising with an
Oscar set aside for the manufacture
ers who had made significant con-
tributions In their lines. Musical
contests have been in progress and
are expected to culminate in finals
to be held at Grand Central Palace.
The artistic direction of the en-
terprise has been delegated to Antal
Dorati, conductor of the Dallas
Symphony Orchestra. He plans to
give q comprehensive picture of nu-
sical history. and musical geography
and feature performances in all
branches Of music; symphonic, pop
ular, jazz, folk, ballet, radio and
movie. Activities will be carried on
through music committees, civic
organizations, officials Of every
State, manufacturers, publishers.
tea achers, composers, performers.
music critics and educators. Visitors
will be acquainted with musical in
struments Of antiquity, original
manuscripts Of composers, discov-
cries of new instruments and prize
winning compositions.
Three Phases Integrated.
The dance will play an important
part in the spectacle, as will concerts
and radio, the latter spreading the
details worldwide. A huge musical
panorama will be among the larger
exhibits. There will be also q show
ing Of perfected musical inventions.
toy instruments, games, novelty
products and electronics as applied
to music.
But the real significance Of the
fair lies in the integration Of three
phases of music itself: Music as cul-
ture, music as industry and music
as entertainment. Initiated by
George Weiner, president Of World
Wide Exposition Inc. and sponsored
by patrons of art, educators, stars Of
the Metropolitan Opera, well-known
conductors and Representatives Of
the hallet the event looks nromisinR