Thus the creation of an Endowment Fund was achieved by the most extraordinary campaign ever conducted in Philadelphia, and through the contributions of more than 13,000 people who wished to place a Philadelphia musical institution on a permanent foundation. CHAPTER V TWENTY YEARS OF PROGRESS The Twentieth Anniversary of the Philadelphia Orchestra was celebrated on November 19th and 20th, 1920; and great was the rejoicing that this city possessed an orchestra of such attainment, brought to its present high state by a distinguished conductor, and endowed by a large number of citizens of Philadelphia and vicinity. The long labors of the officers and directors, and of the Women’s Committees, were bringing their recompense. The occasion was celebrated by the playing of the first programme given by Fritz Scheel in 1900; and the presentation of a silver loving cup, bearing the following inscription, to Mr. Van Rensselaer: “ALEXANDER VAN RENSSELAER First President of The Philadelphia Orchestra Association on the Occasion of the Twentieth Anniversary Concerts November 19th and 20th, 1920 With gratitude and deep appreciation of his invaluable services from The Board of Directors, the Women’s Committees The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Business Management” * * * * * THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA[36] “With the concerts of November 19th and 20th, 1910, the Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates its twentieth year; a year auspiciously opened in November, 1919, by completing the Endowment Fund. “To have sustained an honorable career during twenty years is no mean attainment for a business enterprise, a school or an institution. But for a group of people to support an orchestra for twenty years—years artistically certain, but financially uncertain—is a memorable achievement and a cause for congratulation and rejoicing. “The first concert of The Philadelphia Orchestra was played on November 16th, 1900, and was one of the series of six evening concerts given during the season of 1900-1901. The names of the founders, Dr. Edward I. Keffer, Mr. Edward G. McCollin, Mr. John H. Ingham, Mr. Oliver Boyce Judson, and Mr. Oscar A. Knipe, who formed the Executive Committee, did not appear on the programme. Neither was it publicly known that this was the Committee which had asked Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt to arrange the so-called Philippine Concerts about six months earlier, which gave Fritz Scheel his first opportunity to conduct in Philadelphia an orchestra composed of professional musicians.