Written in 1947 and submitted for publication in Teen, The Magazine for Teenagers. Edith and Robert were living at 6510 Wakeforest in Houston, Texas at this time.
One of Houston’s most recently organized musical organizations, the Houston Youth Symphony, is rapidly becoming popular, not only in Houston and Texas, but ‘South of the Border’ also. Do not be misled by the name ‘youth’, for although no member is over 21 (or under 12), The Houston Youth Symphony is far from being a juvenile orchestra. It plays a regular repertoire without revisions or simplified arrangements.
With tentative trips planned to Denton and Wharton, and a trip behind it to Mexico City, the Youth Symphony has proved itself capable of “grown-up” subscriptions. When in Mexico City, a heart-warming reception was accorded the young musicians by Mexican audiences. Besides taking a trip of educational value, Houston Youth Symphony had its first glimpse of real international understanding through music. “Music is the only international language, and I think that youth can be one of the founders of true peace through this medium!” said conductor Howard Webb.
The Houston Youth Symphony is also on the list of groups scheduled to participate in a three-day Christmas Music Festival at the Music Hall on December 16-18. For its part in the festival, the symphony will play several selections appropriate to the Christmas season, as well as accompany choirs and other musical units in vocal numbers.
Organized in October 1946, under the direction of Howard Webb, the seventy-nine member organization has as its purpose to promote more and better music for our youth by appealing to youth capable of playing in a symphony by creating an incentive to play a musical instrument, and by creating interest through parents and friends.
The orchestra aims to stimulate a closer relationship between future citizens of our city and cultural activities of the city. Another important factor to bring to attention is that Houston Youth Symphony provides an opportunity for students to prepare themselves for playing in senior symphony orchestra later. All prospective members are auditioned by Mr. Webb. In this way, high standards are maintained for the young musical group.
It is interesting to note that members of the Symphony come from a radius of 125 miles of Houston’s surrounding territory including Palacios, Liberty, Pasadena, Alvin and other communities. Webb expresses the opinion that Houston, per capita, and as a city, has the chance to become one of the world’s greatest cities. “I think a step toward this would be for its citizens to be serious minded enough to enter into the elementary school systems this thing called music, so that we, at home, might gain the art of coordination, the art of living and working together. This, in turn, would spread to other countries!”
The conductor continues to show that boys and girls would not gather together regularly from such distant points unless they found a satisfaction in working together. “The joy of working toward a common goal. This is the fascination that brings them together,” Mr. Webb stated. “Music is the only subject that teaches coordination, mentally, spiritually, and physically all at one time,” Conductor Webb said in conclusion.
The cultural and character building influences of music is largely recommended as a factor weighing heavily in winning public support for such an organization as the Houston Youth Symphony.