“The proposed plan embraces a series of about six evening and possibly two afternoon concerts, to be given in the Academy of Music, at customary concert prices. It has been ascertained that each concert with its rehearsals will cost about $2000, an expense that will be covered by a sale of two-thirds of the house. “Hitherto it has been impracticable, when concerts have been given by local orchestral players, to arrange for a sufficient number of rehearsals. As a rule it has been impossible to obtain more than a single rehearsal. The present scheme contemplates at least five or six rehearsals for each concert. “Mr. Scheel’s reputation abroad, where he was a colleague of von Bülow, Brahms, Joachim, Sarasate, D’Albert and Wilhelmj, and conductor of orchestras in Schwerin, Chemnitz and Hamburg, was a guarantee of what was to have been expected of him here. The professional musicians of Philadelphia are virtually unanimous in expressing hearty admiration for his rare ability as a leader; they acknowledge that his work among them this winter has been a real stimulus to the advancement of their art, and they therefore desire to secure the advantage of his services next season. “In order to insure the financial success of the proposed concerts, it has been deemed advisable to raise a guarantors’ fund of at least $10,000. No payment of money is asked for at the present time; but all who are willing to become guarantors are requested to send in their names and addresses to the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. John H. Ingham, 505 Chestnut Street, stating the amount of their subscription, which, however, shall not be binding until the total sum of at least $10,000 shall be reached. “As the Committee wishes particularly to obtain a large number of subscribers to the fund, it will be glad to accept contributions of any amount not less than five dollars. * * * * * “Committee: HENRY WHELEN, JR. JOHN C. SIMS EDWARD G. MCCOLLIN OSCAR A. KNIPE DR. EDWARD I. KEFFER OLIVER BOYCE JUDSON April 30, 1900 JOHN H. INGHAM” A Guarantee Fund of $15,000 was raised from one hundred and twenty people[11], a difficult task in those days, for an untried plan; and six evening concerts were given during the winter of 1900-1901. The Committee invited four thousand women to be patronesses, and issued many circulars. It was the personal work, however, that accomplished the result in 1900, and that has continued to accomplish results during twenty-five years. Guarantors and patronesses were accorded the privilege of securing seats, for which there was no demand, in advance.