The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-14
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE or MUSIC

THE AMERICAN COLLEGE or MUSIC.
When the announcement was nrst made "a the
world that an unknown gentleman i millionaire
~ this city, was ABOUT 10 endow ursng his life
time college or music in the city ofNew York for
the Tree education OF the American people IN the
art OF music, the world shrugged It's shoulders and
said "Can such things ~ From time 10 time
scraps Of news nave noated ont 10 the puDllc
through d. William Elmer, one medium OF
communication between the generous unknown
and the world. The extent OF what has been done
IL only known TO a few and MS been Kept secret
DY them unal the proper time !or diyuIglng il
should come. the passage or tine charter OF this IN
sttution by the Legislature has already been made
known 10 the readers or the HERALD. The immen-
sity OF the design OF this school OF music has only
10 be known TO be appreciated. In the first place
the Tree gilt OF a sum suf1cent 10 found an nstitn
ton for the public good 10 or itself enough TO
I attract the attention OF the world when left by
win. But when a wealthy gentleman gives that
sum during bis lifetime, so that he may see for
himself It's good results-not only gives but gives
4 freely and in such manner that the institution
4 he has founded wiz never be trammelied by half
| measures or restrictions That make some gifts
burden 10 their recipients-then she people may
wen rise up and can him blessed. Unquestona-
| bly, this college will give new impetus 30
i the progress OF music In America, ana
4 MAJ be the means OF placing us at the
heao OF musical nations. country whose popn-
! latlon is made up from that Of every other coun-
try in the world may reasonably be expected to
reproduce the BEST characteristics OF each. The
voices OF American girls are celebrated Tor their
peculiar, rich and birdike quality. Although we
have not yet proauced tenor Of great distlnc-
tion, we have gwen the word one OF its greatest
prime dome in the person OF Miss Clara Louise
Kellogg. We have numerous go0d orchestras and
singing societies, and it only needs little en-
couragement TO show what DO when put
upon our mette The gentleman who mas
devoted his means 10 this end wiz ma,
as as his name is given publicity, that
republics are not always ungratefnl.
The names OF the gentlemen who compose the
board OF trustees are sufncient guarantee that
there Is nothing mythical or speculative IN the
plans OF the American College OF Music. They are
nine In number and 1t Ie safe 10 say that a
stronger board has seldom sat at the head OF any
institution in this country and the generous donor
may congratulate himself upon having procured
names tina: will carry so much weight and dignity
with them. They are as folows:-Mr. Henry q.
Steobins than whom no man is better known as a
patron OF music in this city or rs one who sympa-
tnizes with every generous enterprise for the
aesthetic education OF the people; Mr.. Marshall q.
Roberts, whose close connection with art is too
d., who Is really the protector OF this great school
MT William H. vanderbilt wealthy and promi-
IN financial circles as an honorable and successful
man Of business; MT. Charles |. tiffany, also
gan: Judge Jewett and Attorney General Edwards
PierrepoDt. These last three names have been
before the pubic so long and IN sucn distIng ushed
connection tHat tnev need no Introduction not
only 70 New York, but TO the country at large. Il
Will be seen al glance that THIS Board been
seiecred not only for us prominence. but Tor Its
financial AFFINITY and culture. Two Or three more
names may be added. out that is q matter Tor the
future. It's strength Is concentrated now.
since the plans OF the American College Of Music
were first MADE known Dr. Elmer mas nad inter
views with ana received letters from wealthy gen.
temcn onering W eneow scholarships or 20 do
anything they can 10 further the goJG WORK. One
gentleman called upon the Doctor I've other day
and begged that he would ret The old
let nm give the $1,000 Ooo. ne sald tnat ne mad
long had just such proiecf IN MS mind. and was
He seemed greatly disappointed wnen Dr. Elmer
told HIM tnat he was too late. Finding that he
could not do he desired, begged thai the col
lege would accept gut OF 100000 IRON his Welt
hled treasury, which offer was not refused.
HERALD representative suggested that this other
millionaire. whose name, by the way, IA a house
hold word IN this city, woulo do as much with ms
wealth for art As the former had done for music,
but he would not listen 10 the idea. Muse
was his IDOL, and 70 IL alone would he rsase q
temple.
Negotiations are pending by which the Grand
Opera House Will be leased for term OF years, so
that the school may be commenced by the LIST OF
September or even sooner. HERALD represen-
tatve visited the Grand opera louise for the pur-
pose OF seeing for himself how well IL was adapted
10 the purposes OF the school, and he was thor
ouQnly surprised atwnat ne saw. The white mar
bic building Elghtn avenue ana Twenty.tn
street does not contain the opera house proper;
thar IL In the reaF. running nearly through 70
Ninth avenue. The main building contains the
or1ces lately occupied by the Erie Railway Com
pany. There are four stories OF rooms, each story
communicating by broad stairways OF mack wal
nut There are two rooms that would 10 Tor
concerts, wnIcn hold 1000 persons each. In
the days OF Fisk these tive rooms
were one, with ceiling thtrty-two feet
high and gallery running all around, ana this
wac tue ballroom. Now IL r. DIVIDED into two
rooms. with ceilings OF sixteen and a halt leet in
height. Inc rooms that were occupied by the
onicers ol tne company are ABOUT twenty in num-
Der and are All elegantly papered and frescoed
and finished IN black walnut, ana are excellently
adapted Tor eli S. rooms. Everything about tue
building Is Of the most elaborate aud substantial
character, and no pains we're spared 20 make this
indeed grand opera house. There are splendid
! arrangements In case OF nre--the most perfect In
The city, we told. Even the cellar Is q model
in It's way, ana Is nigh, dry and Wen ventilated.
on every door OF the building there are doors COM
I municating with the auditorium. Altogether 1t
I seems As though some higher power were az work
| 10 bring n noble institution Ike the College Of
Music to wipe on the cloud from she innocent brow
OF the Grand opera House. An informal meeting
u the trustees was held wednesday night