Smyrna times., 1955-11-10
COMPOSER TO
VISIT STATE
Thompson to Appear
at University of Delaware
and Seaford
NOV. 80 AND DEC. 1

What promises to be one of the
outstanding musical programs Of
the 1855 season was announced
recently by Anthony ]. Loudis
chairman of the music depart
ment of the University of Della
ware.
Through the use of a. generous
gift by private donor, the music
department has been able to Sc
cure the celebrated composer and
conductor, Virgil Thomson, for
two performances in Delaware on
November 30 and December L.
The cooperation of the Music Per-
formance Trust Fund of the Re-
cording Industries will make pos
sible the participation of the Del
aware Symphonette under the di-
rection of ]. Robert King in both
performances and the university's
choral groups of over 180 voices
will be augmented by the we'll
known 'Seaford Symphonic Choir
under the direction of Miss Julia
H. Wilson. The university choral
organizations will be making their
first major appearance since the
arrival of new director, DR.. w.
an Trusler.
Mr.. Thomson, who until last
year was music critic for the
New York Herald Tribune, will
be present for both performances,
November 80 at the University of
Delaware, and December l at Sea-
ford. He comes to the university
under the visiting scholar pro-
gram and will make informal
classroom visits on November 20,
in addition to conducting several
rehearsals. During the perform
ances he will conduct several OF
his own compositions and will
provide commentaries on each of
his works.
A highly regarded book entitled
1.-THE State of Music" by Mr..
Thomson propelled him into a
career as one of the country's
leading music critics. However,
in response to the many invita-
tions from leading orchestras here
and abroad to appear as guest
conductor, presenting his own
works and those of his contem-
poraries as well as the classicists,
Mr.. Thomson resigned his critical
post October /, 1854. He has since
made several tours of Europe, ap-
pearing with many leading orch
estras and, more recently, has
toured South America. In addi-
ton to his appearances as guest
conductor, Mr.. Thomson has con-
tinued his comments on the state
of music in his lectures, which
have been delivered in Spanish
and French almost as frequently
as in English.
Always generous and enthu-
siastic exponent of the works of
his colleges among contemporary
composers, he has been response
BILE for wider understanding of
all the moderns, both through his
writings and lectures and through
actual performances. He also has
been responsible for revivals of
works which were in
danger of falling into neglect.
The Seaford concert is the first
of a number of similar programs
planned by the Extension Division
of the University of Delaware to
extend the universitys cultural
activities to all parts of the state.
According to Gordon G. Godbey,
director of extension, the u1iiver-
sity will welcome all suggestions
and requests for assistance from
other communities seeking to
promote worthwhile educational
and cultural activities.
The Virgil Thomson appear
lnces are scheduled for Mitchell
Hall on the University of Della
ware campus, Wednesday, Nov.
10, at 8:15 pm. and in the Sea-
ord High School auditorium on
Thursday, Dec. 1, at 8:15 pm.