The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-09-21
MUSIC In UTAH.
Its Progress During a Gen
GRAFTON.
.1Fv1UESCE OF Y0GALCULrURE
- Interesting Series of Reflections
on the Divine Art by one of
our Local Musicians.
ivor the SUNDAY HsEAlp.l

IFor the SUNDAY HERALD
In the race run by the various educa-
.ionaI branches and the arts and sciences
;, our Territory, for the last ten or fif-
ieen years, music mas been steadily
vorking her way to the front. Fifteen
years ago, in most parts of the Terri
iorv, the divine goddess" was scarcely
recognized as being native, but was
looked upon as an immigrant, who must
abide her time according to law to be-
come q recognized, adopted citizen, yet
bsrps well attuned in other climes, not
quite unstrung by dampness of ocean
or heat of scorching prairies, still wooed
her to "strike the sleeping strings" if
only to revive memories of days gone
nv. But so accustomed was she TO
dwell only in the company of age, sober
ness. or newcomers, that the native
youths looked upon her as being a de-
mure goddess, anything but fit to be in
manly company, and accordingly
Stunned her, preferring the more ami
IlEAlk IL - VI lA4C CAuCS anu
"whoopist" taking the noble red man
for modeD. But at length some of the
rsry youthful, in their simplicity, made
friends with her, lending their fresh,
Young voices to her cause. Then began
the goddess to drink in new life, and
soon being wed, by her old devotees, to
these young, native warm hearts, she
became more or less recognized as
full-fedged citizen. OF course,
the elegant. manly youth could
not forget her former position,
and felt that while she may be fit
companion for children, she was by no
means worth the least consideration of
afull-grown man of fifteen summers or
more, who could ride q wild, bare
backed bronchO, or carry a seven
shooter on his hip, fastened to leather
belt. which served for the double pur-
pose OF an ornament and in filling the
Office Of suSpenderS to hold the pic
turesque buckskin trousers in what he
deemed a proper position. For such a
man to be caught anywhere nearer than
the doorstep or the corner of the adobe
or log house where he held forth
and there not to isteni Oh, no! Only
TO white, chat, laugh loudly and wait
for the gals" 10 come out, TO be caught
there for any other purpose than the
above mentioned would have brought
blush to his cheeks equal in color TO the
large red bandana handkerchief that
loosely hung over his broad shoulders.
such IS the effect OF untamed nature
when first brought in contact with art.
But the little deYotees grew up 10 be
men, and host of little folks came after
them, following their example in their
friendly relation with music, till now
(nOt week since | heard the renark)
great, tall young man may be heard to
say how dearly he loves her Emusic
and many of the scornful sing the old
song: Well, we hadn't the chance
when we were young rs you fellows
have nowadays. "
That it is taking the proper steps to
permanent progress and success is also
evident. One great proof OF this is the
number Of instruments to be found
in the homes of the people, the number
reaches scores in every settlement, the
kind are largely harmony to producing
instruments as the cabinet organ. No
other instrument save the pianoforte
can be compared to it as an art foster
ing instrument in the home, leading as
It does the performer and listener to the
higher class of musical works; as its
nature calls for. The violin, the noblest
instrument Of its class, comes next,
while the ACCORDION and other lesser in
strumentS, not forgetting the mouth
hermonlcas, do their portion in forming
a taste for something better. Many of
ihe more wealthy also have the king of
nome instruments, the piano.
Another mightier, though less costly
factor leach performer being furnished
with an instrument free of chargel, is
vocal music. The influence of vocal
music IS more potent than instrumental
music, first, because it combines speech
with melody, the tone expressing the
sentiment is at once defined bv the
WORD, making the whole idea under
stood; second, the charm is greater to
me performer because each tone is to
hun living thing, produced by his own
yocaI organs, each thought pictured by
zone or word comes from the heart
hence II penetrates the soul. Tire third
cause Is that all other instruments are
u.e inventions OF men-though the in
Spi.aaon that brought them into being
t 81 from the Great Creator. Yet
,ne voice Is the one God-given instru-
.iehV 10 man, part of his being. and
we we most perfect of all instruments.
! hence We say that vocal music, which
ierlngs this noble Instrument into action.
) mlghtier in It's Effects for good than
HsSItrumental music.
10 give an idea To the reader of the
progress OF this branch it will be neces-
S1ly 10 refer 10 what Is being done ri
present III that direction in the back
slonhq, yet at the very roots of the
e a:,s Is the singing INDUCED in by the
e.lluren IN the Sabbath and day schools.
specially the former. This. though the
singing Is not always Of the best n9alitv
s Sll only in a slight degree instrnctive
urn, .r-l . love for singing in the Dartici-
PANTS, this love creates a desire
a. know and Understand son,e-
ing OF the drt, this desire leads n
~ me nam point, the Fart of reading
t iI,,sic, Reading IS the key that unlocEs
lc 'eries OF MANY things who
~ ei he''rd oi historian. poet. dramas
o T-,si Ut Z man great in any literary ac-
80 - !.neltS who could not read > The
80 80 'oh even seems foolish. Then how
NJ, IL . man become q musician, or a Deo-
- e., musical without the ability OF read
Ms, music? New life has OF late been
t,assl 20 vocal music BY some very sue
~. u attempts ct teaching the masses
- -lg atI OF reading. Teaebinq in class
aceorn, - - course the only mode that can
50 s;n1i .,llsh L TINS; This IS being done in
idea ~ ana piaIn manner that the
It is s ohiy the gifted" could learn
tio-, ltaItlshlng. Our leading institii-
uonS OF learniy1o, -. ~ss-N-44iS NO