“Pacing up and down the corridors were privates from the Arsenal and tars from the Navy Yard. In braided dress uniforms of brilliant blue, shining helmets and buttons that glistened like molten gold, the soldiers stalked to and fro, their belted waists giving pointers to the masculine followers of the latest fad, and their shoulders putting to shame the well cottoned ones of the ‘swells’ standing near. The tars in their flapping breeches and spreading collars, were a picturesque element among so many landsmen, and they, too, sold programmes, and made good salesmen. On the stage guns were stacked at the sides and colors dipped from the stacks.” It is well to reiterate here that the Philadelphia Orchestra is not and never was a continuation of the amateur Philadelphia Symphony Society. Only one member of that organization played at the Philippine Concerts. These concerts were so successful and so warmly received, that steps were taken to organize a committee to continue concerts by Philadelphia musicians. Later in the spring of 1900, a meeting was called in the Orpheus Club Rooms by Dr. Richard J. Dunglison, President of the Musical Fund Society. Officers of various musical organizations, representatives of the press and prominent men in civic affairs were present. A plan for organization was discussed and the necessity for a Guarantee Fund was emphasized. The same committee of gentlemen was appointed, with the addition of Mr. John C. Sims, as Treasurer. Within four weeks of the second Philippine concert, the first circular announcing the plan for forming a Philadelphia Orchestra was mailed by this Committee: “A PLAN TO DEVELOP THE ORCHESTRAL RESOURCES OF PHILADELPHIA “The plan briefly outlined herein is addressed to all those people who are interested in good music and have at heart a desire to propagate musical culture in Philadelphia. “Much interest has been aroused by the successful result attained in the symphony concerts recently given for the benefit of the sufferers through the Philippine War. It is thought that these concerts proved the availability or many of our resident players, and that the experiment might well be followed by a series of concerts during the season of 1900-1901, conducted upon the same general plan. “The project of a permanent Philadelphia Orchestra is at present not sufficiently advanced to permit of the hope that such a body can be organized in time to be heard next season; therefore, the series of concerts herein proposed will not conflict with, but will further that movement, because it will provide the resident players with a season’s training in symphonic work and thus enable them better to fill positions in the permanent orchestra when it shall need their services.