Walter Johannes Damrosch.
It is questionable if there is a better method of giving intellectual pleasure to a large number of people than by teaching them concerted singing. More than that, music is admittedly one of the most powerful factors in the bringing into being those finer qualities which are identified with the higher civilizations. It follows, then, that the man who devotes his life to cultivating a love of music among the masses is a public benefactor. Such an individual is Walter J. Damrosch, who is both well known and popular in this country in connection with his work on the lines alluded to. Mr. Damrosch was born at Breslau, Prussia, January 30, 1862. His father was Dr. Leopold Damrosch, his reputation as a conductor being of an international nature, led to his coming to this country in 1871 to become director of the Oratorio society and Symphony society of New York. In the meantime Walter had received a thorough musical training under his father, and, when the latter died, in 1885, he succeeded to the directorship of the organizations named. Since that period his continuous and conscientious work for the popularizing of vocal music has borne fruit not only in New York, but in many other cities of the United States. Mr. Damrosch was also the director of German opera at the Metropolitan Opera House and added to his reputation in connection therewith. Mr. Walter J. Damrosch is married to Margaret, daughter of the late James G. Blaine.