Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-01-25
Watohman Sc Journal.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY %, 1871.
For the Journal.
Music in Vermont.

Since the time Of the Peace Jubilee. when the
eyes Of music lovers and news-mongers every
where were riyeted on Boston, the great staring
world has drawn off its gaze from our wusical
Hub and from modest New England talent Yet
the good results of this creditable event remain,
and this is one Of them The world has become
firmly convinced that there is talent in New Eng
land to appreciate and produce first class music.
II | am not mistaken, this profound respect for
our attanments in music will now weigh the
opinions Of a New England man ON question Of
musical science with that Of any German con
nosseur. We should not wonder il even Ger
many would soon have to guard her pcerage in this
thing, But actually, if this cultivation Of music
continue. in the future as it has in the past few
years. and increases with the ame ratio, it will
bring us into n scraphic state Of things. And
this advance is shared but lcebly by other States.
We know what n ridiculous entertainment was
offered in New York. under the name Of a second
Peace Jubilee and in the discussion concerning
the respective musical merits Of that city and
Boston, we will allow New York to do the talk
ing as long as we can hold up the facts. We
know how slowly that great musical innovation,
the cabinet organ, finds it, way into homes lurth-
er South, in comparison with the great numbers
Of them to be found in all the Eastern States.-
We know how many families Of Dutch or Irish
there are in Pennsylvania, all Of whom seem to be
without the slightest appreciation Of musical
sounds, and find their highest happiness with
Walter SCOTS Highlander, who had tweny-lour
bagpipe players, assembled together in small
room, all playing at the same time different
tunes
Now, although New England is nearly a unit
in this spirit of musical enterprise we think that
Vermont stands in front Of certain Of her sister
States Of the same iamily. This assertion is
founded only upon observation, and if any one is
inclined TO a.sail the position with strong eyi-
dence to the contrary, We will leave it without
quareling. But certain it is that Vermont, in
spite Of her mountains aud uncgiized winter, and
scarcity Of cities, and her farming population
can bring forward as much musical talent as Mas
sachusetts Boston not coming to her aid. In
reading an account in the I" Watchman Of a
recent concert given in Montpelier by home talent
and knowing OF its character through other inlor
nation, it was beyond my conjecture where an
other town. out Of the State, Of the same size,
could give a concert of equal musical worth, Do
not the towns Of our sister States when they pre-
mediate a concert Of this kind, send oH 10 the
Hub for at least leading sooist to give the
movement eclat2 And when they get her they
lay upon her the burden Of the programme, ex-
peci for her ready applause and repeated encores ,
but shield home talent FROM the inspiring sight
Of an audience, and draw before it the veil Of
modest retirement, becoming TO its yiTgnity, 1t
is such encouragement as that occasion in Mont
pelier gave, that will raise up, from these lovers
Of the art at home true artists.
Country singing schools have done much to-
wards developing taste and diffusing a knowl-
edge Of music, and they have also left, in connec-
ton with every village church a society which can
make good music when occasion calls for it, and
when that occasion conyenes the whole choir, their
performance is altogether toerable. But there is
noticeable very odd popularity in hymning
which belongs not only 10 our country choirs, but
Is the iaul, Of some who profess better knowl-
edge 1t is making the rythm Of the tune by a
swell Of the voice, keeping time with the voice,
instead Of with the hand or mind. These undu-
atons at the close Of hold, which should die
away to silence. or be held with an equal force
throughout are anything but agreeable. The
leader who does this combines painfully the ma
chruery necessary in producing music with the
finished effect.
Certainly no sign speaks better for the further
advance and more general cultivation Of this art
among US than the predominance Of musical in
'truments. In great many households the par
or organ is the first and only luxury enjoyed We
know OF one small village sixteen miles od among
the mountains, the community farmers, where
there may be counted at least ten keyboard in-
struments, and FIVE Of these pianos in good or
der, making one 10 almost every dwelling, We
dare say there are few small villages within
thousand miles radius Of West Topsham
who can enter the lists with her in this respect
And if there is one thing, which more than every
other will express and develop the Unborn taste
for music, 50 often not recognized or cultivated
which will promote harmony in feeling and di-
minish discord in a family, it is the use Of a
sweet toned keyboard instrument for harmony
Of sounds addresses not the mind so much as the
soul, and with the vibration Of nobler feelings is
produced the symphony Of human natures.
f. c. H.