Evening star., 1951-12-30

v ASoCANC tAAC CO1A1AAUItlUy UCSl
wishes for happy and prosperous
New Year than the several agen-
cies that make it possible to enjoy
the best in music. For the most
part, people accept this gift with
out thinking Of the givers or, if
they do, considering them only
as engaged in business enter
prise. But there is much more to
the organizing of a musical sea-
son, and thoughts of the people S
pleasure is uppermost in the
minds Of managers. OF course,
running a concert bureau is not
an altruistic undertaking, but
more sentiment and consideration
go into it than in any other busi-
ness.
Planning to give the public
what it wants to hear and to keep
it up to date with the newest and
most novel items requires con-
stand application. If it were
strictly business it would be SIM
pie to stick to the best sellers in
artists and to the tried and true
in music and let it go at that.
The managers would make money
doing just that much. But they
look around for fresh ventures,
scanning them first to see they
are all that is claimed. Most man.
ayers are in this line of work be-
cause they love music and delight
in presenting it. Often they are
musicians Of considerable knowl-
edge themselves and put their
personal stamp Of approval on an
artist or event before asking their
patrons to do so.
1t is then, in recognition of
the great service given to the City
of Washington that we voice the
good wishes Of the community to
those who provide it. for happi-
ness in their work and prosperity
that they may continue. The
first New Years greeting goes to
the National Symphony Orchestra,
the city's own major musical
organization. Against great odds,
some quite unknown to the gen.
eral public. the Orchestra Associ-
alton has not only kept the Sym
phony alive, but insisted on its
expansion. Its conductor, How
ard Mitchell, has made a de-
termined effort to- broaden the
field Of knowledge of his listen
ers. He has chosen his programs
wisely and well while putting the
stamp of his musicanship on the
performances Of his men. The
musicians have given their CO.
operation, not just because it is
their job, but with real pleasure
in the recreation of great music.
Remember, however. that what
the orchestra does for the chill
dren and young people can never
be repaid. In their hearts and
minds. the National Symphony
will be enshrined forever.
Concerts Make Comeback.
The orchestral enjoyment of
the city has been enlarged by the
efforts of Constance Snow, who
sponsors the local concerts of the
Philadelphia and the Boston
Symphonies. When she took over
the management of the Philadel-
phians here. the public interest
in these concerts was on the down
grade. She has built up so large
and devoted following that it is
almost impossible to get seats for
a performance at the last moment.
The Boston Symphony had cut
Washington off its visiting list be-
cause Of the poor attendance. BY
her efforts she was able to bring
it back. first. for a gingerly single
performance and now for a steady
three. each season. Whenever
something new hits this country,
Mrs. Snow is ready to see that
Washington has a chance to hear
it. This year will be memorable
for the coming of the Metropoli-
tan Opera to this city, for which
she handles all the local details.
Patrick Hayes has made his
bureau all embracing. He, too,