THIS DAY IN 1918 IN THERECORD

Thursday, June 20, 1918. “The Influence of Music in War Time” is the subject of Record editor Dwight Marvin’s commencement address tonight for the graduating class of the Troy Conservatory of Music in the Y.M.C. A. lecture hall.

Conservatory director Christian A. Stein introduces Marvin as “a man wide awake as to current events, and a man who has done much to further the interest of music in this locality.”

“This is a day of unusual things,” the editor says, “We are looking out on a new, strange world. When men are living poetry, they do not need so much to write it; when our lives are music, we do not need so much to make it. But when sorrow, depression, danger, doubt comes, we, like Saul, call for a David. It is for this reason that the trained musician is such an important asset to the world to- day.

“To- day all emotions are colored by the war. In art, literature, music, war tinges everything with its blood red hues. What functions has music in war time? Essentially three: to inspire, to celebrate and to divert.”

Marvin notes that “In Great Britain and even in the United States, a great success has been made of recruiting to music. Music stirs sentiment, and only sentiment stirred to white heat, can win a war. It is the priv- ilege of the trained musician to have a hand in this work…. He who will not make his gift the handmaid of patriotism has turned his Godgiven talent into the selfishness of a narrow cult.”

Music must also offer relief from war. “How important diversion becomes at such times. Tired men may be rested and may come out of a room where you have played or sung strong and sane. You can prevent our emotions from becoming over-morbid and jaded; you can be veritable saviors of civilization.”

The editor looks forward to a time when “a diploma from a conservatory will be quite as much a mark of educational standards as one from a classical school.” When that time comes, the local conservatory will be “a splendid asset to Troy and its vicinity” so long as it’s “properly housed and endowed.”

In his address to the five graduates, Stein echoes some of Marvin’s themes. “Because the war shadows everything else there must be something to lighten the darkness and sweeten the bitterness of the battle,” he says, “The American soldier will fight better if he plays and sings more. Over here there is much need for this same cheer.”

“The usual banquet and social hour were omitted because of war conditions,” our reporter notes.