Evening star., 1951-03-25

greater beauty ana make tnem
productive Of the finest virtues.
Lives so enriched would follow the
pattern instigated centuries ago
on these sacred days and cul-
minating in the festival of Easter.
Unfortunately, the commercial
side of music has loomed large in
recent years. This condition has
brought about jealousy, intrigue
and calumny which have almost
overshadowed the beauty of the
art. 1t has also set the costly
type of music heard in concert
halls above any other kind, so
that people forget that as much
value lies in a simple melody sung
or played in a family circle as The
mighty masterpieces offered the
public for a large price. The mu-
sic Towering in home life or pur-
sued simply by amateur groups
afford powerful means of invigor-
ating the spirit and it is never
tainted with all the bitter feeling
surrounding the professional.
Defense Leaders Value Music.
One Of the aims of Music Week
each year is Ito advance the love
of music and impress upon the
consciousness of the people its
value in modern life; to increase
performances of music by groups
and individuals; to multiply op-
portunities for young talent and
widen acquaintance with good
music by American composers.
Plans for widespread use of mu-
sic. choral and instrumental, in
military camps, on ships and in
hospitals, serve to illustrate the
value defense leaders place upon
music and morale" In former
times. the marches that stirred
the blood and quickened the step
or the gay tunes. banishing for
the moment the grimness of war,
were considered sufficient for the
military. Now, it is recognized
that spiritual food must be given
the fighting man and one means
Iof giving it is through the best
kind of music.
Were the manner of living of
the citizens at home sufficiently
enriched there would be no wars
or armed forces. A "unifying in
fluence" is certainly necessary
and music has the potent quality
to accomplish the breaking of
barriers and the binding together
of different kinds of people. But
it is the state of mind more than
friendly intercourse that is meant
by the "unifying influence" 1t is
the cultivation Of spirituality, of
kindliness. and the holding before
the eyes the banner of righteous
ness. A whole nation so "ferti-
lized" with the great truths would
be invincible. The Importance of
using music to this end Is seen in
the advance plans for making
children participants in its ap-
preciation. The growth then be-
gins from the ground up and will
eventually permeate all classes
and ages.
Canned" Music Challenge.
For that reason, too, the Ma
tional Music Week Committee is
making an investigation of the
best means to establish the value
of "live music" as against the use
of recordings on radio and tele-
vision. The threat to earning
power of musicians by the easier
substitute of recorded music has
been brought to the attention of
the committee. It is hoped that
each community will encourage
its professionals so that the love
OF music, which started them on
their arduous career, will not be
|dimmed. The living composer"
also must be encouraged and
recognized if music is to prosper
and become the "enriching" and
"unifying influence" so greatly
needed in the world today.
The gist of the Music Week
plans is to call attention to the
Importance of every kind of music
activity, no matter how small.
There is a great deal of snobbish-
ness among music lovers who dis
dain the simple or popular forms
OF the art. But many a great
composer or celebrated artist was
awakened to love for music and
Ia determination tn cultivate it be-