Evening star., 1952-07-06
News Of Music:
News of Music:
I Conductors to Benefit
BY Watching Ormondy
Symphony Directors to Be Coached
In Foil Session at Philadelphia
BY Alice Eversmon

A constructive plan for increas-
ing the knowledge Of symphony
orchestra conductors will be tried
out this Fall. From September 30
to October 4. Eugene Ormandy,
conductor Of the Philadelphia Or
Ichestra, will coach a limited num-
ber Of directors Of community or
mon professional orchestras chos-
len preferably from cities close to
Philadelphia. Although the Pc
riod of instruction is short. much
ground will be covered in both re-
hearsals, when the visiting con-
ductors will direct the Philadel-
|phia Orchestra. and in conference
sessions to follow.
The idea of contact being
formed between a conductor Of
national reputation and those
hopeful Of advancing to the same
status, originated with the Amer
ican Symphony Orchestra League
Inc, of Charleston, w. Va. It
was submitted to the Philadelphia
Orchestra management and en-
Enthusiastically Endorsed by Mr..
Ormandy, who will devote the
week preceding the opening Of the
Philadelphians' season to this
work. Conductors from all over
the country have been invited to
apply but this first effort will. Of
necessity, have q small attendance.
The artistic impetus and en-
lightenment resulting to the con-
ductors Of community orchestras
can hardly be estimated. They
have been asked to bring some
works to be included in their
winter programs and rehearse
them with the Philadelphia Or
|cheStra under Mr.. Ormandys'
supervision. Just feeling the re-
lsponse Of such a group Of expert
musicians would be an inspiration
/ in itself. Then Mr.. Ormandy will,
in turn. conduct the same cofnpo-
sitions SO that the visitors may OBJ
serve his technique. The rehearsal
will be discussed and the music
Ianalyzed with the Philadelphian s
leader explaining the plan of in
Iterpretation and the effects
sought.
Technique From Wotchine
A refresher course for SYM
phony orchestra conductors is as
practical as such a course for other
musicians. The idea is not to form
a school Of imitators but to derive
benefit from the wider vision, ar
tistically and musically, of a man
OF long years Of experience. A
conductor needs both to hear and
see how other conductors present
music. While the hearing can be
had from recordings, the actual
technique can be understood only
from watching. Each director has
his own method Of re-creating
music and it would be desirable
that other conductors Of renown
be asked to ofticiate in subsequent
sessions.
The American Symphony Or
chestra League concerns itself
with the growing number of COM
munity orchestras in this country
1t has started also a short course
in orchestra management to be
given in conjunction with the
Brevard Music Festival in Brevard
N. c., in August. A talent pool
has been set up to exchange
information regarding positions
available for instrumentalists. Al
the Leagues recent national con-
vention in Erie. Pa. chairman OF
the department Of major sym
phony representatives was John
Edwards, manager Of the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra.
Learning how to be a notable
orchestra conductor is a long and
ardous task. No one should under
take it who has not only a foun-
dation Of solid musicianship but
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