Evening star., 1950-01-18
Sesqui Officials
Seeking 10 End
Concert Conflict
Symphony Approached
On 'Integrotion' of
Wotergote Series

The Army Band and Sesqui-
centennial officials are trying to
reshuff1e part of their special
Sesqui concert series in order to
eliminate a conflict in dates with
the National Symphony Orchestra.
These other Sesqui develop
ments also were revealed today:
Sesquicentennial officials have
approached the National Sym
phony with a proposal to "inte-
CRATE" its outdoor Watergate
concerts next summer with the
Sesqui celebration. Presumably,
this would mean Sesqui funds
would help pay for these concerts.
Sesquicentennial Director Ed
ward Boykin plans to push ap-
pointment of a music director by
February l. Several Washington
music leaders are under considera-
tion and the choice will be put up
to the commissions Executive
Board at its next meeting, Mr..
Boykin disclosed.
Calendar to Be Published.
A complete calendar of events
through next summer will be
published within a few weeks. It
will include many surprises" Mr..
Boykin said. He warned, how
ever, that I'VE aren't going to be
high-pressured." A Board of
Trade committee called for the
publicity move last week.
The move to switch some of the
Army Band concerts to different
nights was revealed at a press
conference yesterday at which
Helen Jepson. Metropolitan Opera
soprano, said she didn't know
about the conflict" with the Ma
tional Symphony. Miss Jepson
has sung here with the symphony
in the past, but this is her first
appearance with the Army Band.
Tonight's concert, scheduled for
BIS o'clock in the departmental
auditorium, is the first in a series
of 13, sponsored by the Sesqui-
centennial Commission and fea-
turing name" guest soloists. The
concerts have no admission
charge. and all guest artists have
donated their services.
Announcement of the series
week ago brought criticism in
Washington musical circles be-
cause it conflicts with the National
Symptoms regular, paid -admis-
sion series on Wednesday nights.
The symphony series still has
eight concerts to run, including
one tonight.
~ Conductor Howard Mitchell of
the Symphony last week told a
meeting of the cultural develop
ment committee of the Board of
Trade the free concerts are def
mite competitive problem.
Capt. Hugh J. Curry, conductor
of the Army Band, said yester-
day he had been studying" the
conflict problem for 10 days and
hoped to be able to reschedule
-four or possibly five" of the con-
certs on different nights.
Rescheduling Called Difficult.
Rescheduling is difficult, how
ever, because of other commit
ments of the soloists and the
band, as well as a crowded sched-
ule at the Departmental Audi
torium, Capt. Curry said. The
auditorium, owned by the Govern
ment, costs the band and the Ses-
quicentennial Commission moth
ing.
Helen Jepsen, Metropolitan
Opera star, will sing at tonight's
concert. Tonight will be the first
time she has sung operate arias
with military band, the singer
disclosed.
Tickets for the second Army
Band concert will be distributed
beginning at 9 am. tomorrow in
Room 204, The Star Building, Mr..
Boykin announced today. So
1oist on this program, scheduled
for 8:15 pm. next Wednesday
will be Margarita Zambrana, New
York City Opera Co. soprano.
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