The Search for a Neutral Conductor
Seattle musicians organize a new choral society to perform oratorios, while struggling to escape the shadow of 'jealousy' among local teachers.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A largely attended meeting of singers was held in the state university chapel on Friday evening for the purpose of discussing the subject of forming a choral society. It is proposed to present during the winter the 'Messiah' and other oratorios, if a chorus of at least 100 well-trained voices can be secured. In the past such organizations have been generally considered to be in the interest of the different professors of music who have directed them, and consequently there has been more or less jealousy aroused, which feeling has proved fatal to success. It has been suggested, and the idea is favorably received by many of the leading professors in the city, that some person of ability who does not teach music for a living should be selected for the position of musical director of the society, and the name of Mr. W. W. Williams, superintendent of the Kirkland Steel Works, has been favorably mentioned in this connection. It is hoped that all cause for friction or jealousy being thus obviated, those who are interested in the development of musical taste and culture in this city will take hold of the choral society project.
“In the past such organizations have been generally considered to be in the interest of the different professors of music who have directed them, and consequently there has been more or less jealousy aroused.”
This highlights the early struggle to build sustainable, city-wide arts organizations in Seattle. The attempt to install a neutral, non-professional director to avoid teacher 'jealousy' remains a recognizable friction point in community organizations today.
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