Evening star., 1950-01-08
Yearly Drive
ForSynnphony
Is Challenge
Only Sacrifice
Can Keep Pride
In Music Group
By Alice Eversmon

In Music Group
By Alice Eversmon
This week the National Sym
phony, Orchestra begins another
campaign. for the means to con-
tinue its existence. This yearly
drive is as much a part Of com.
munity activity as are those fol
the Community Chest. Red Cross
and others of humanitarian pur.
pose. The spirit Of generosity that
contributes so wholeheartedly tc
all calls Of charitable intent should
operate with equal strength te
provide the music that belongs tc
the city In . special manner and
which gives those intangible ele.
ments of sustenance to all who
hear 1t.
In many respects. the campaign
this year is a challenge. Its out
come will demonstrate just how
much the citizens of this city care
what becomes of a major local
effort. The judgment will be made
not in sentimental values or pas
sive good will, but in cold cash
The day is not near, and may
never come. when the financial
side Of art. its assistance and
support. will not need to be con-
sidered. It may be the best order
Of things. for only sacrifice can
cement the ownership and keep
alive the pride In a large-scale
musical undertaking.
Yearly Campaigns Uncertain.
There will be general agreement
that the Nations Capital should
have the finest orchestra, the best
musicians and the most renowned
conductor in the world. Time and
again it has been said that it is a
shame that Washington has not a
complete musical life OF the best
to be had. This is all very we'll,
but who is going to pay for it?
How does city have q fine concert
hall. an orchestra made up of in
dividual artists and 4 conductor
whose name alone is spellbindins
These can be had only when
people. great numbers Of people,
are willing to give. not generously,
but abundantly. for the cost OF
all this glory. It can never be had
through the uncertainties of a
yearly campaign.
Long ago. when the National
Symphony was just organized, it
was thrilling thought that now
we have an orchestra Of our own.
No enviouS eyes were cast on the
older and more famed groups in
the pride Of possession. 1t was a
pleasure just to think that our
local orchestra would grow and
that We could help 1t. Growth
is not estimated by 4 few years
nor can its steady process be as
sured unless the money is there
to meet the living expenses of
great music. The National SYM
phony has not yet finished its
growth nor has 1t ever retro
gressed. 1t is the same focal point
OF the community's musical life
and the one that brings us to the
attention OF the outside world.
Part Of City's Life.
. Since no person or groups of
persons come forward to under
write the National Symphony with
hundreds of thousands of dollars,
it must live from an accumula- a.
ton OF small amounts. The impor-
tant thing to remember when CIV
ing Is that you are providing the
city with an orchestra. To repeat.
the orchestra Is the important
thing. A group that plays winter
and summer. that brings music to
children. that keeps adults &C.
quainted with all the great music.
1t does not mean . glamorous as
sembly supplying lots Of excite
ment and costing q great deal of
money. 1t means a workable group,
always here. being part OF the life
of the city.
We are privileged in making
known another American talent In
the conductor. Howard Mitchell
How many cities can boast that
they are fostering q native mu-
sician Of proven gifts? All around
are conductors with foreign names
foreign training and foreign ideas
Only few Of them are universally
famous. Gould Washington support
one Of these great ones? It has
not shown its ability in this re-
spect 50 far. It has not established
4 reservoir Of funds for top flight
conductors or musicians. It has
not even provided a home or an
opera. house for comfortable use
by visiting artists.
The National Symphony calls on
the pioneer spirit that made our
country great. 1t calls for faith,
work and sacrifice. If we are ever
to stand back of American talent,
we must do so now. Above all, we
must keep what we have and, in
memory of all the immortal COM
posers whose heart beats are heard
In their music. keep alive the in
strument that brings it to us.
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