The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-07
A TOWN In TUNE.
The Hubbard Voice Company in
Clayton.
Something About the Wonderfal Work of
This New Departure in Music.

musicians, many of them from distance, more
of them residents OF the village and surround
ing country for several miles in every direction.
The town might have been rooted and very APP
propriately called conservatory of music. The
days have been one long, continued service of
song, and all the available instruments capable
of producing a combination of sweet sounds
have been set agOing, the tones produced by
the skillful touch OF the practiced performer
mingling with the finger exercises of the
amateur in way, which, if not al
ways DELIGHTFUL to the listener,
at least indicated an unusual interest in the sub
ject This has been brought about by the pres
ence of the Hubbard Voice Company, who have
been conducting musical normal in the town,
in which the voice department has been the dis
tinguishing feature above all musical cOnven-
tions and schools heretofore held, and is the fea-
lure that has excited so much comment, and has
attracted students from a radius of more than a
hundred and fifty miles. The novel idea of
bringing the Italian school Of voice culture
within reach of the common people seems to
have originated with the head of this company
of teachers and whose name it bears who rea-
soned that II the people who. from lack OF means
or opportunity, were unable TO attend
the opportunity brought to them through
competent teachers they would avail
themselves of it-and his theory is likely to
prove grand success. 1t might be we'll to state
WHO THE HUBBARD COMPANY ARE
and what has been the history of their work in
the past. The president or manager of the com
pany, Professor Thomas W. Hubbard has been
in the musical field for the past twenty five
years. and is widely known over the country
both as a teacher and writer. III early life
pupil of DR.. Lowell Mason. he afterwards gradu-
ated in the Italian school of voice culture iii
New York city. under Carlo Bassini, whose name
alone is a sufficient guarantee for the quality OF
instruction gwen. Mrs. Elizabeth F. Hubbard,
the wife of Professor Hubbard, also has ma
tonal reputation as writer, and is fine voice
teacher, educated in the Italian school. The two
are Jointly the authors OF "HubDards
Success" "Hubbard's Anthem Book" Hub
bards Voice Book" "Hu6bard's Day
school Singer" and "The Song Garland" Mrs
Hubbard has made teaching her ife-wOrk. The
writer heard her lead a chorus of more than
hundred voices in rehearsal, in Il way that
would nut half the convention leaders in the
country 10 shame. Prof. A. Lam. Moore, of Chi
cago isl tenor of rare ability and successful
teacher. Prof. T. W, Murlin ia another teacher OF
more than usual powerand fine singer. Mr. NJ
A. Peeso is u tenor OF wonderful compass OF
voice. His power lies in his singing. Miss Alice
b. Broadway hardly has an equal as pianist,
and has fine record as a teacher.
The abOve-naIned persons comprise the
Hubbard Voice Company, and are gen
tai and moral culture, thoroughly imbued
with conscientious love for their profession
their duties teachers.
WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
Pro. Hubbard and his company of cultured in
structors are doing class of work never before
attempted in this country, that of teaching the
cultivation of the voice among the masses OF the
people just it is taught in the musical con-
servatories of New York, Boston. Cincinnati and
other cities. That this can he done successfully
has been demonstrated at Clayton this summer,
and il has proved wonderfully popular with the
people, many of whom have received instruc-
ton in the art of using that most delicate and
at the same time the most powerful and divine
of all musical instruments the human voice.
The other features of music, both
vocal and instrumental, are Taught, of
course, but the lessons in voice culture have
awakened such enthusiasm that they become at
once the most noticeable part OF the instruction.
What" exclaims one, teach the Italian school
of culture the people at sFg
good right to it as the few, and Prof. Hubbard
has demons trated that it can be done success
fully. This company will leave Hendricks
county with a monument nehind them in
the shape of work dom that will stand, and that
has already been Endorsed by the hearty patron
age OF the best citizens OF the county.
THE CLAYTON NORMAL.
The history of the origin of the voice and
normal music school held at Clayton this sum
mer began with Prof Hubbard's first visit to
the place last winter. At that time he held two
gave several lessons in voice culture. The peo-
pie were so delighted with the opening Of this
part of the science of music that they at
once and unanimously invited him To return
and hold normal music school, which invita-
tion was accepted and as a preparation twenty
conventions we're held bv the company in Hen
bricks and Morgan counties. These, with their
vistations in northern Indiana and western
Ohio laid the foundation for of the most
successful normal music schools ever conducted
in the West.
From the time of the first announcement Of
the school the citizens OF Clayton, including the
business men, with all the families of the place,
went to work TO prepare for the greatest musical
event in the history of the county, and
gave the enterprise every encouragement in the
way of patronage ami supnorr. thus insuring
success as far as the i.ase iset wAS concerned.
When 1t became eNi leut tnat students from a
distance would attend, ample arran gements
were made for their accommodation, ami the
hospitabe homes of the enterprising people were
thrown open to all vino would partake of their
kindness.
When the school was organized nearly every
body in town and vicinity enrolled, and it was
no uncommon thing to find whole families at
tending, with perhaps one or two exceptions.
The enthusiasm has been so great that young
men, farmers, would leave their work. although
at busy season OF the year, and when the hour
came 10 take their lesson would repair to
the class room, returning to their work
after reclting. This enthusiasm continued until
the close of the school on Wednesday evening of
this week, WHEN large chorus rendered
FARMERS MASS
with good effect. This was the event of the
school, and while it seems at first thought
almost incredible that music of this grade could
be rendered in a village the size of Clayton-a
Country town." if you pease-it was done, and
well done. The good effect of the training the
members of the chorus had received in voice
culture very visible in The full, rich tones
produced, and the ease with which they sang
The town OF Caytonis one of tine prettiest In the
county, and its citizens are noted for their enter
prise, intelligence and culture. better selec-
lion could not have been made for hold.
ing the school, as, added to the above quail
ties, the residents are very musicallY inclined
Among the prominent citizens who took very
active part in organizing and assisting the school
were Albert Johnson and Edwin Johnson. the
accommodating agents of the journal at Gay.
ton, with their families, John Rynersnn and
family, John Worrell and daughters, Dayton