The New York herald., 1845-10-09
American Musical Convention.

hhnCAACsu MUSICAL COnventxOns
Tho American Musical Convention opened its Sc
cond days session, yesterday at noon, but for some
time before that, there was meeting held to prac-
tce and study the musical science, several gentle
men of good attainments aiding and directing the
proceedings.
The President, CYRUs B. SMITH, called the con-
vention TO order Prayer offered by Rev. Mr..
Goldsmith, and the Secretary, Mr. Barnes, read the
minutes Of last meeting, the roll OF members and
some other routine papers, when
Professor GoURAUD moved 10 take up as q subject
of discussion the best means of diffuslng know
ledse OF music among the people," which was car
ried
Rev DR. HoeKEa, in the course Of brief speech,
suggested the employment OF competent lecturers,
and the nstrumenallty OF the press as the most ef-
fcient means to accomplish the object
Mr.. OTIs, recommended the establishment of a
musical academy, whose business would be to su-
pervse and direct the diffusion of musical know
ledge, and operate as source OF taste and centre Of
excellence in musical matters.
Rev. DIR. GOLDSMITH was In favor of musical mis-
aonaries, 10 make journeys over the face of the
country, and persuade the people to become ena-
mored OF melody, harmony, concord, and all the
rest
Mr.. TAYLOR went for the formation of parent
ciety in New York, and Of auxiliary societies m
the several cities OF the Union whose duty it would
be to cooperate IN encouraging the growth OF mu
steal taste generally.
Mr., HILL reviewed the suggestions of the last
speakers, found each OF them to certain extent
useful, but not altogether adequate to the end pro-
posed lie thought they ought to keep in sight
definite object, and yet something that would be
comprehensive enough to allow of its application to
all persons, without distinction Of class Sect or re-
,iglon New York he held to be the best locality to
iorgnate and carry out their plans, for there they
had at hand grand concentration of all they want
ed. He would propose the appointment of COM
mittee oftwenty one, with power to select from
among themselves three persons clothed with au-
and mature grand scheme to make all persons who
could hum an air, whether tune, or song or melo-
dy, good musicians which plan was to be submitted
to the convention for their rejection or adoption-
The motion not being at once taken up,
Key. Mr.. READ supported the suggestion of an
Academy, whose certificates would be furnished to
competent teachers, thereby enabling them to obtain
the confidence OF the people, and spread the science
through the length and breadth of the land
Mr.. OTs narrated fact from his musical expe-
rlence in the State of Massachusetts, to show the
utility OF cultivating secundem artem, the musical
taste In that celebrated part of the earth, their
singing WAS vlle-the church chOirs in the country
ehaunted most discordantly; but now, through the
commendeble efforts OF musical instructors and the
sch ools Of that State, their music was excellent.
which could be testified to by every respectable
Yankee VINO heard him, and which he would ask
them 10 do.
No answer, however, being given to Mr.. Os re-
quest
Mr.. HASTINGS said this must be progressive
railroad speed. New York had seen a good deal
done within her borders-fully more than Boston.
although she did not make so much noise about it,
She had her oratorios her musical societies-shehad
that convention, the meeting of600 children at night
AL OF which was trifle more than nothing. They
did not call themselves an academy, although they
did the work OF one. They did not speak loud, nor
would they NEEDLE with other peoples business, but
Go their own. There were many difficulties, he
allowed, IN the way of getting at the hearts of the
people The churches were not coming up to the
work: their dramatic music and secular music
were detained by sectional disputes and jealouses
What they wanted was funds they would go much
further than wishes. Of that he saw little hope for
although he heard OF some, his eyes not glad
dened with the sight of sinole cent Yet (laughter
some rich people were among them, If that good
tor any thing GA voice." Give us a good plan,
and you will get funds") He would be most happy
to see them and rejoced if his words would pro-
woke them out of it. Uaughter) He would con-
clqde by saying that they had to encounter great diff
culnes-do every thing without pay and find them
selves.
MIR. ]. c. COWARD went for a musical academy
and musical periodical, if he thought them practi-
cable. What he considered OF more use, however,
was the publication of good work on thorough
bass, which was, shame to America unknown
among them-it was enveoped In clouds-qulte
mystery, although II might be taught as easily as
arithmetic. The reason why musical periodicals
were not sustained was, because they were not
adapted to popular taste, and got out under the
trol OF cliques which opposed each other Upon the
Mr.. WILLIAMS thought il of prime importance to
get nt the hearts OF the people, and consequently
at t1er money Unless they get that, they could not
go ahead al railroad speed. The science of music
was entirely neglected in the country generally
As t,r the gentleman who spake of the state of mu
SIC twenty years ago in Massachusetts, he could tell
him that IN his part of the country twenty years
ago they had music 1000 per cent better than that OF
either New York or Boston. If they wanted to get
compound OF sublmated ridicule, they ought to
have heard the performances of the musical socie-
ties In this city and Boston ten years ago. To ele-
yate the science OF music they must stimulate the
people and inform them, and get at their hearts
Periodicals would not do this, for the people would
not read them-nor could they manage it by their
lecturers; for, If the angel Gabriel himself with
golden harp in his hand, came down to give per-
formance of sacred music, they would not hear him.
and that because they call sacred music good for no
thing. The primary schools were the places to be-
GIN; they must have the friendship Of the people and
also OF the state. Then, ladies' and gentlemen-or
arlstocracy-or upper cust,will not go to classes
sing, thinking it beneath their dignity. Laughter)
They must get into the parlors of the rich and great
they must go into the primary schools where the
rich and poor together before they gained their
point.
DR.. HOOKER said that he was encouraged by re-
fecton on Yankee ingenuity, 10 think that they
would devise plan, before they separated, practical
Bile and good by Yankees ne did not mean the
people Of New England, but all Americans Jona-
than was an ingenious fellow. He was engaged in
plan to bring news from England before break
ldet, SOHlcIlIHeS, when ne neurQ the
whistle OF the steam engine, he thought that Jona-
than would yet set up his steam organ in some place
between Hudson's Bay and Cape Horn, and make
music for the whole continent. (Roars OF laughter)
Let the Committee be appointed and let it attend to
every useful suggestion thrown out. The means of
primary schools were good, but they wanted high
institution to elevate the standard OF TASTE to com
prise those of great attanments as MEMBERS and be
AT the upper extreme of graduated scale of musical
merit.
tssMr. GOULD, olBoston, and coored citizen, hav-
ing made few remarks,
Mr.PEEDLEs expressed himself pleased with the
talent exhibited, and, to a certain extent with the
plans proposed, but had idea to throw out which
he regarded practicable and useful to the end
sought for-the diffusion OF musical knowledge Ii
had been said that people would not read musical
period dcale-that WAS quite true, nor would they
read them so long they were devoted to one par
tlcuar branch Therefore to get over this d,fficttv