Pioneer

Pioneers

As another music season draws near its close, music lovers the world over view with satisfaction the year's outstanding achievements of the major civilized orchestral organizations. The season will always be remembered, for example, for The King's Henchman (see above).

But in far Montana, generally considered by the world as musically a lummox, an adventurous organization has played clearly enough for one or two of its flute notes to echo across the badlands, the prairies, and on into the grand chateaux of Art in civilized regions to the Eastward.

Brave Joseph Adam, professor of music at the state college, had the foolhardy intrepidity to offer the privilege to the native sons of becoming founders of the Montana State Symphony at $10 apiece. Rawboned Montaneers smiled, argued, complained, joined up.

The professor rounded up talent and discovered a first class bassoon player, formerly with the German and Slavic Philharmonic in Laibach, Austria, sawing wood for new garages in Butte; one of Finland's best clarinets coal-digging in Red Lodge; an able violinist in a Helena high school. Additional products were imported.

He then hopped into his car and canvassed the state for moral support as well as program advertising. Local gentility encouraged but the potential box-office patrons remained contemptuous. The first rehearsal was held last fall. In order to allay suspicion such more popular numbers as "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "Peer Gynt," and Sousa's "Gridiron Club March" were promised.

The opening night in the metropolis of Bozeman, Mont., dauntless Adam coughed away timorousness, tapped his baton, swung into full-rounded and accurate melody. The audience frowned in puzzlement, paid polite attention, learned to like it.

The applause was sensational. Last week the troupe finished a 42-performance run through 24 cities spread over 3,500 Montana miles completed in 36 days. Pioneers never lack for new fields to conquer.