Evening star., 1949-01-30
Fund Drive
For Symphony
Is Public Test
By Alice Eversmon

This week the National Symphony
Orchestra Association opens its 18th
annual drive for a sustaining fund.
In preparation for the campaign.
booklets have been printed for dis
tribution giving a detailed estimate
of how the $40, 900 asked for will be
spent together with an estimate Of
the gross earned income. At this
time also, history Of the orchestra
has been compiled telling OF the
difficulties encountered from year to
year and how these were overcome.
This is the first time that the whole
background of the National SYM
phony has been set forth for all to
read who are interested. What has
been somewhat vague and open to
individual Interpretation is now pre-.
sented in concrete form.
It would seem this year that the
whole question of the National Sym.
phony resolves itself bluntly into,
do you want to have symphony
orchestra in this city or not?" The
sincerity of that desire will be tested
with this campaign. Other years
have had other problems, but that
of this season has to do with the
actual existence Of the symphony.
True, that has been the battle cry
in each sustaining fund drive, but
now it becomes a pivotal point. It
has not so much to do with am
bilious plans for the future, or who
shall conduct the symphony, but
whether the organization itself IL
valuable to the community life and
worthy of preservation.
Chance for Public Proof.
Growing dissension within and
without the symphony association
Il has resulted in major changes. Some
people feel the glow of victory and
others the gloom of defeat. How
ever much this state Of affairs ID
to be deplored in a city so peculiarly
situated as regards civic enterprise
as Washington. it is healthy sign.
New ideas should be given consid-
Grafton and new voices listened to.
Only in this manner can just es.
innate of public opinion and public
wishes be gained.
The public has been advised, since
the beginning. that the National
Symphony belongs to it. 1t remains
now to see how highly 1t regards its
possession. If those who have OPP
posed former policies so strongly are
equally firm and hardy In support.
ing what they have brought about
then nothing is to be feared. II 1t
has all been just talk, then great
disservice has been done the COM
munity.
! What seems to have been lost in
! the strife of personalities Is the
Importance of the orchestra itself.
A group of musicians OF the calibef
to play the greatest symphonic
music regularly for local consump-
ton is an asset. It Is beside the
point for comparison to be made
with orchestras such as the Boston
or Philadelphia. which operate
under different conditions and have
the experience Of decades behind
them.
SUnCCESD oAuy oAC hAASsSs
Nor are the concerts given in
Constitution Hall the only angle
from which to decide il commun-
fity such as this should have an
orchestra. What must not be for
gotten is the source Of knowledge
and inspiration 1t offers to the
young people who have access to
the musical education to be gained
from hearing and seeing actual
performances. the discoveries Of
people unfamiliar with music who
begin to like and understand 1t be-
cause chance, perhaps, brought
them to q concert, and the cultural
stimulation that results from hav-
ing a strong, focal point.
The association announces several
prominent conductors as guest lead.
ers next season. This will undoubts
edly be Of great interest to those
who believe a name conductor makes
q symphony. But what could any
man do no matter how great O
musician, If he did not have a body
of players capable of reading musio
correctly, performing it with ap-
probation of style and musical ele-
ments. That is the orchestra.
That is what we have and what
must be kept. The hope does not
die that the National Symphony
may one day equal if not surpass
the preferred orchestras of many.
It cannot do so If not supported
financially. If there is any more
airing of grievances to be done, now
is the time to do it. If the people
are sincere in wanting an orchestra,
it should be signified now. Let's
find out exactly where we stand.