"An engaging and very readable account of one of the most influential figures in America's classical music infancy. Jon Ceander Mitchell's book paints a fascinating picture of the performers, the public, and the music which made up the New England musical scene in its formative years." - Keith Lockhart, Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra "With this thorough and complete analysis of Philip Hale's precious collaboration with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the skilled scholar Jon Ceander Mitchell once more produces a valuable and precious contribution to the music history of the United States and especially to the history of one of the country's leading symphony orchestras. Mitchell avoids a boring accumulation of facts and figures but converts the results of his research into a most pleasant reading experience, appealing to all who are interested in music history." - Francis Pieters, Vice President of the International Society for the Promotion and Research of Wind Music, and Past President of World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.