New England Conservatory of Music - Neume Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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Our late President, Mr. Eben D. Jordan By G. W. CHADWICK N THE death of our late President, Mr. Eben D. Jordan, the New England Conservatory lost its staunchest and most loyal supporter, and one of its best friends. His interest in the Con- servatory, even during the more exciting developments of the Boston Opera Company, never diminished. It was one of his most ardent desires to make use of the facilities afforded by the Boston Opera House for the advantage of the Conservatory. It was not his fault that this was not possible to a greater extent. As it was, there were several young singers from our school who were launched on a successful career at the Boston Opera House, and quite a number of our orchestra players became members of the Opera Orchestra. To those who knew him intimately, Mr. Jordan showed a kindly and generous nature, from which many struggling students and musicians have profited. And although he sometimes was not recompensed with gratitude, it never seemed to embitter him or cause him to regret his generous impulses. He was a man of singular modesty. To be obliged to speak in public caused him a good deal of worry; but when he did so his words were simple and direct, and very much to the point. Mr. Jordan ' s benefactions to the Conservatory were not only many and liberal, but wise and timely. The lot on which the Conservatory building stands was bonded by Mr. Jordan for the Conservatory some time before we were in a position to begin the erection of the building. When work was finally begun, the land had increased very much in value, of which we of course got the benefit. In his gift of Jordan Hall to the Conservatory, he builded better than he knew, for this place has become a mecca for all the artists of the country. They have made it known far and wide as remarkable for sound. To our stu- dents who make their public appearances there, it is a continual joy and inspi- ration. Foreseeing that we should eventually need room for expansion, his next gift was the adjacent lot, which has also increased much in value since we came into possession of it. In his last gift he bequeathed us a sufficient sum to pay our remaining indebtedness. This final munificent gift is the keystone of the arch for which we have been laying the stone and mortar, and sometimes carrying the hod, for the last fifteen years. It is now complete, and, as I believe, per- manent. In Jordan Hall, on Friday evening, November 24, 1916, a special concert by the Conservatory Chorus and Orchestra was given in honor of Mr. Jordan ' s memory, with an address by our former President, Hon. Richard H. Dana. Page six

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SAMUEL CARR President of the Board of Trustees Co vEStjom Wit espectfuUp JBebteate Htysi Xolume

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EBEN D. JORDAN 3fn JHemortam