Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-06-25
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BURLINGTON
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE ls, 1858
WESTERN VERMONT MUSICAL
ASSOCIATION.

We condense from the Brandon Advocate
the following account of the Musical Conven.
ton, held at Brandon on the Sth and 9th.
The Convention assembled at IL o'clock
Tuesday morning, and was called to order
by the Secretary, Mr.. S. L. Bates. Exercises
in Singing occupied the day.
| On Tuesday evening an Address was delivered
| by Prof Buckham, of Vermont University. His
| theme was; What is Music, Music as distinct
from speech? He defined it as the language of
| 'Jeelng-inspired feeling There may be melody,
harmony and rythm without music. The true
function of music is not to please the car, but to
| stir the soul-melody, harmony and rhythm are
mere instruments of music which passion, feeling
| employs.
But music is the language of our nobicr feelings
hence sacred music is the highest form of music.
The conclusion he drew from this view of music
we're: |, The duty to cultivate musc-it is talent
given by God to be improved 2, We should have
higher order of music; he gave modern mu-
sic-makers deserved castigation 3, Music is a
noble auxiliary to religion-it is not fine
art; it Is something above and beyond it. A. This
view of music enforces sense of responsibility.
The address was simple, lucid, classical in style
most excellent in its doctrines and suggestions
and delivered in manly chaste and impressive
manner. 1t was truly scholarly performance
without affection of learning, and admirably
adapted to do good We particularly pleas
ed with the religious character Of the address.
The attendance on Wednesday quite large.
There was fine audience in the Evening, and
an excellent address given by Dr. Hooker.
The Drs theme was, On whdt things depend the
most successful impressions Of sacred music IN the
public ,corship of God? His answer was -
l. On its being congregational not, however, to
the exclusion of choirs. O. On the proper adap-
tation of tunes to given hymns. g. On Just mus-
cal expression-the appropriate manner of per-
forming the music. True expression depends on
Jnst and deep fteiing 4. A clear conception of
the sentiment couched in the words sung. This is
essential to correct musical expression. ). just
musical delivery-diStinctnsss of utterancc. G.
Much depends upon the moral and religious chardc-
ter of those who lead in song. To sing sacred mu-
sic properly, there must be reiigion IN the heart.
Nothing can be substituted for this
The Committee on Resolutions offered the fol-
lowing which after brief discussion, unanim-
ously adopted
/. Resolved, That this Convention find great
cause of encouragement in the efforts which
being made for the cultivation and improvement of
musical talent and taste, and that We will continue
our endeavors to awaken in all our communities an
increased interest in the subject.
z. Believing that musical conventions are one of
the best means of securing this desired end, we re-
Joice at the growing interest manifested by the cit
liens of this section of the State in the meetings Of
the Western Vermont Musical Association
D. That, though we would not undervalue the
labors of those Professors of music from abroad,
who have from time to lime been with us, we are
glad to find that have those among us who
competent to conduct the exercises of our Conven-
tion to entire satisfaction.
A. Resplusd, That the interests of Religion
would be subserved and the spirituality of public
worship promoted by the general introduction of
Congregational Singing.
The Concert, Thursday evening, throngcd
the Baptist Church with an appreciative
audience. The united Brandon and Ro-
chester Bands played the opening piece, and
a number of songs, Duets, trios, choruses,
&C., followed, closing Mt II o'clock, with
Old Hundred sung by the whole convention
and audience. OF the criticisms which the
Advocate bestows on each piece, we can
copy but one, which is sufficiently amusing.
That good old song, " the Ivy green is
disposed of as follows; but we think the
song will survive
"GREEN IvY-Mr Barrows The subject was
unsuitable-too tame, or too trancendentally meta
physical. We doubt whether Gabriel himself
could interest an audience in such song, however
fine his singing might be. Popular audiences
demand sentiment.
On the whole the Advocate considers the
convention. ''highly successful and profitable
and having said 50 much we are sorry that
it should have given expression to feeling
petty jealousy of what it calls the "Burling-
ton element" Burlington was more largely
represented in the convention than any other
one town, and consequently our Singers hada
prominent share in the public performances
but that any undue prominence was given
them, we are assured was not the case. The
success Of the Association cannot but be
seriously retarded by the indulgence of any
such feeling, in which the hearty hospitality
of the citizens of Brandon showed that they
did not share.