In Rochester

The most recent composition of Albert Coates, onetime conductor of the Imperial Opera of Petrograd and of grand opera at Covent Garden, London, is entitled Suite after the Style of the Old Masters. It has been dedicated to George Eastman of Rochester--a gesture speaking volumes.

Mr. Coates has been, for nearly a year, director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, affiliated with the Eastman School of Music. In dedicating his suite to George Eastman, Mr. Coates was doubtless conscious of something more than personal tribute. He was, in fact, paying tribute to the rising tide of music throughout the U. S.

Some five years ago when he was planning to make a gift of money for musical instruments for the use of the public schools in Rochester, Mr. Eastman said: "I used to think that music was like lace upon a garment, nice to have but not necessary. I have come to believe that music is absolutely esisential to our community life."

Two years ago the Eastman School of Music, famed adjunct of Rochester University, was formally opened. The building, equipment and endowment came to about $5,000,000. The structure comprises a five-story school and an auditorium known as the Eastman Theatre. Over the theatre is the inscription : FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF COMMUNITY LIFE.

To the casual visitor the Eastman Theatre might appear to be merely a cinema house de luxe. For on six days each week it is crowded with movie fans. That was Mr. Eastman's idea-- that those who came to look at the pictures might stay to listen to the orchestra.

Hitherto the Eastman Theatre has been exempt from taxation. Early this month an attempt was made by city officials to tax the theatre. Mr. Eastman went before the officials, defended his theatre as a unique educational institution to the satisfaction of music-lovers everywhere.

A national conservatory supported by Congress has been periodically advocated. But Mr. Eastman has actually created that which a barren Congress might never bring forth. It is to him and not to Congress that Mr. Coates dedicates his suite.

George Eastman, besides his Kodak,* makes a large part of the celluloid film of the cinema.

He runs his enormous plant on a profit-sharing plan--a plan of bonuses, based on a sliding scale dependent on the dividend rate. His reasons for so doing, he explains as follows: worked in a bank as a young man. I started working at 14, when I left school and got a $3 job with an insurance house. My superior left--I had been doing his work, was thoroughly conversant with it--should have had the job. I expected it--rny fellow-workers expected it. Well, I didn't get it; some relative of one of the directors did; it wasn't fair; it wasn't right. To tell the truth, I had almost forgotten the incident, but possibly, subconsciously, that may have been the seed for the present system."

Without scientific training or background, Mr. Eastman is nevertheless a scientist. He is interested in the make-up of the human feeing--and willing to experiment to find out how and in what relationship the human can be the happiest in the job he holds.

His public benefactions include a complete dental infirmary free to everyone in Rochester, donations of over $11,000,000 to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Eastman School of Music.

The school teaches all branches of Music, theoretical and practical. Its capacity is 2,000. A psychological de- partment tests the capacity of students. A special course gives instruction in playing the organ as an accompaniment to the cinema. Opera is produced by the students. The last week in March featured Carmen.

In addition to Mr. Coates, the personnel includes Joseph Bonnet, who is perhaps the world's most distinguished organist, and Vladimir Rosing, noted operatic director. One of the organs is said to be the largest in the world. Another contains an equivalent for every percussion instrument imaginable--military drum, oriental drum, bells, steamboat whistle, etc.

*He himself invented the word Kodak. The letter K always appealed to him for its firm and unyielding appearance; "after long meditation and concentration" the letters grouped themselves into the word KODAK.