The Young People’s Educational Concerts should be mentioned. Such a series of five concerts was first given by Fritz Scheel in 1902-03, at the Broad Street Theatre, with lectures by Wm. J. Henderson, Wm. F. Apthorp, Louis C. Elson, Hugh A. Clarke and Henry E. Krehbiel. During 1903-04 and 1905-06 they were continued, and after a long intermission came to life again in the Children’s Concerts, instituted in 1921. [38]A special committee was organized in which many associations were represented and the concerts were so successful that a second series is now given in order to meet the demand. There is no more inspiring sight than to watch the Academy filling up with eager-faced children or than to hear their quick response to Mr. Stokowski’s remarks. The first series was devoted to an explanation of the instruments and the programmes are progressing educationally year by year. The principal difficulty so far encountered is to prevent grown-up children from attending. [38] See Appendix L. COMPOSITIONS ON THE CHILDREN’S CONCERTS “I want to tell you the lovely time I had at the concert. I want to thank you for sending the tickets. I adored the beautiful light in the Academy of Music. The conductor’s name was Mr. Stokowski and he was a very nice man. I liked the part when the little boy only seven years old played the violin. He looked like Jackie Coogan. He watched the leader all the time he played. I wonder how long it took him to learn to play the violin so well. “Mr. Stokowski is a very pleasant man. He conducted very well. He told a story of a little goat boy who played on Sand Pipes. He asked the people to sing Auld Lang Syne.” * * * * * “I thought the concert was fine. I think the little boy played a good piece of music when he played his violin. I would like to play a drum, because my brother plays a drum, and I could easily learn. He used to play in a band called the “Ardmore Band.” He was the best drummer they had. People could hear him far away.” * * * * * “I enjoyed the concert so much. The orchestra was the largest I have ever seen. It seemed as if there were at least a hundred men on the stage. Mr. Stokowski looked very gay in his medium blue suit. I liked to watch his hands. “He said anyone could learn to play in an orchestra if he wanted to, because it was up to the person himself.” * * * * * This short account demonstrates that the Philadelphia Orchestra is a neighbor of much value to the community in which it dwells. CHAPTER VII THE SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC PRESS