The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-02-09
NUMBER 22 .
A Woman Conducting an Orchestra.


Women are doing many strange
things nowadays, and late develop
ments show that the musical platform
is in danger of being as seriously inter
fered with as the speakers desk has
been. A Maine girl, fresh from coun-
try life at sixteen years of age, came to
work in city book-bindery. Having
had no musical advantage save attend
ance upon two country singing schools,
her thirst for knowledge in this art had
ample opportunity to become an all-ab-
sorbing craving, not likely to be as
suaged by her present circumstances.
Kindly sheltered in the house of a
relative who would not receive pay for
board during the first three months of
her labor, the piano, wonderful instru-
ment! was a never-failing source of de-
light. After the work of the day was
over, and the fingers of younger cousin
could be prevailed upon to bring forth
it's sweet tones, purer delight could not
be imagined than that which flooded
this yonng girls soul, marred only by
the never-absent desire to master its
difficulties for herself. Seated before it,
perseveringly picking out some famil-
lar tune, she would be called away to
do some household errand, and on her
return find the instrument closed-not
many such hints were needed by the
sensitive girl to deter her from making
any progress.
Married at twenty, study seemed no
nearer, till, two years later, the hus-
band, at personal sacrifice, bought a
secondhand piano.
Many house-keepers would have
thought the care of house and family
of four persons would occupy the whole
time. But to this one, only gladness OF
heart was uppermost, that, at last, study
could be commenced. A teacher being
secured, the first daily practice was be-
gun. This was attended by much wear
mess, caused by a familiar and swift
use of the broom, mop, and wash-board
Also many discouragements from friend;
were not lacking, and such words al
these were often poured into her ear
"You can never learn" "YOu are too
DID," "Your fingers are too stiff with
house-work." "You'd better be mend
|, ing your husbands stockings"
The truth was, she not only mendeC
, but knit the family stockings. Through
much that was almost overpowering il
it's discouraging influence, striving tt
fulfill the duties of wife, mother ant
: friend, under the inspiring words of ;
faithful teacher, the end was diligentl!
sought. To become q successful teache
was the first aim, in order that mean
for further study might be secured. Ii
less than four years, her first schola
was obtained, and now, eleven years af
ter taking her first lesson, with man.
months of interrupted study at variOu
times, though from thirty to forty pu
pills claim a large share of her attention
: time is still found to make the hus
bands favOrite pies, and, because 18th
times" compel-tO wash his shirts be
, sides.
But our sketch was Intended to shOI
I how conducting an orchestra was frs
:, taken up. Attendance upon Mr.. Cal
! Zerrahan's choruses awOke the frs
1 thoughts that boldly said 81 could
that" No opportunity was offered ii
$ the teaching of small singing schoC
|, proved, to herself at least, that she ha
: a God-given talent to teach. Not Ion
: after, a needy church asked her aid i
J. givinga concert and, almost self-sough
the baton was for the first time in be
e trembling fingers. A successful eonceI
- conducted by this woman was followed
the next winter, by others, and she
still trying to prove to the public ths
Il she can conduct.