Evening star., 1948-12-12
Career Security
Due Musicians
Of Symphony 3
by Alice Eversmon

The suggestion that the National
Symphony be merged with the Bal
timore Symphony provoked consid,
cradle discussion. That the idea has
not received the Endorsement Of the
symphony's board is welcome news.
It is not the time to admit failure
In the support of the local orches-
ira, or to relinquish the increased
renown that has come to the Ma
tion's Capital since q large musical
group became the center of its cul-
tural life. Now is the opportunity
for the formation of definite plans,
not only to fix the symphony def
nitely In our midst, but also to give
1t every assistance to grow and be
perfected.
One Of the shocks coming from
first talk of merger stemmed from
the fact that no thought, apparently,
was given to the number Of musi-
clans who would be put out of en-
ployment. Even though BTliozs con-
cept of an ideal orchestra called for
142 strings, and a proportionate in
crease In other sections, and Gil
more's Peace Festival" in 1872 was
celebrated by music from an orches-
ira of 1000 musicians, the present.
day size Of an orchestra does not
exceed 10 members at most. The
idea Of combining the groups Of
neighboring cities was considered
from q financial standpoint and
the first saving would come from
the elimination of a large number
Of players.
Incentive Must Be Sustained.
Ths formation of orchestras, opera
companies and concert courses has
been encouraged because a greater
outlet was needed for talented musi-
clans. Music schools all over the
country are crowded with gifted
young people who aspire to be
artists or, II this be denied them, to
be able to earn living through
music. If we are going to cut down
those opportunities, there will be no
incentive to study and consequent
lessening Of our cultural improve
Ment.
There is q great deal Of talk
about fostering cultural enterprises
In communities but there seems to
be misapprehenSion as to what that
means. The cultural status of a city
Is in direct proportion to the num-
Der and Importance Of its art groups
supposedly bringing the higher
things of life to the citizens. These
art groups, however. are formed by
people who have studied their spe-
cialty at great and continual ex-
pense and have made of it busi-
ness from which they derive their
livelihood. When the people deny
support to these cultural groups they
cut away the very roots of the
achievements of which they are so
proud. The layman cannot boast of
cultural interests without the hard
working artists who provide them.
Valid Arguments Exist Here.
There may be some excuse If
ether cities cannot support an Or
chestra and 50 give employment to
q large number Of musicians, but
there Is no excuse for lack Of sup
port by Washington. One OF the
principal sales arguments when the
National Symphony was first
thought of was that it would pro-
vide work for local musicians. Later,
the public was told that they could
not exist from the revenue OF a
short season and more concerts must
be given. There were marrying tales
that some of the finest musicians
In the orchestra were forced to ped
die ice cream in the summertime
to exc out an existence. Now with
the times even more difficult. ap-
parently no concern was felt as to
how the faithful group who has
given corscientiously Of its ability
70 bring the best music for public
pleasure would get along.
Is this Just lip service we are
giving to art? Why should parents
be eager to have their children
learn music If, should they possess
talent, they can never use II. why
spend all the money for conserva-
tories, for awards and for lessons
II no profession can be considered?
We are trying to build Nation
that knows art in all its forms and
practices it; a Nation that creates
art and furthers it. When we begin
to economic on those who are
trained to cultivate and satisfy our
artistic aspirations, then all our
vaunted culture disappears.
We should have the courage to
say that no matter how costly and
difficult the process of living is at
present, there is compensation in
knowing that those who can lift
us out of spiritual depression are
being supported and given a return
for what 1t has cost them to be-
come musical artists.