Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-01-08
RosEBURG 4 MUSICAL CITY.
The Rerietr -1mong The Sharps, Flats,
Breres, lMinins and Semf-qnacers
of one Continuous OsntonS.

Any music that has charms enough to soothe
the savage breast is good for the average Ore
gonian. 1t is trne that he may prefer it in
homeopathic doses, especially il the musician
is new hand at the business and is practiS-
ing his first lesson on the tuber. To manage
the faucet and tuggers of a ten year old tuber
scientifically requires quite as much practice
as TO manipulate the cighty-f1ur keys of an
eight hundred dollar piano. Those who can
perform a gymnastic exercise, with their hands
on the seven octaves ofIvory, that are simply
astonishing are legions, for they are many.
But many are called, yet few are chosen, and
they who can so manipulate the keys OF a
piano as to bring out the full merits of 4 soul
inspiring melody as it was first enjoyed by
a Mozart or Hayden are indeed few. So
with the ability Of brass band players.
A critic who heard the playing of the Yam
kee Doodle Band at Portland last year culog-
ized the life and general vivacity that char
acterized their music. Music without spirit is
like man without spirit; and 4 cold, soulless
rendition of the grandest air that ever inspired
the breast OF man or angel is frigid state Of
affairs which ought rather to be characterized
by the melodies common to an atmosphere Of
a more life giving kind. While the band is
reputed over the state as one of the leading
within its its borders, constant practice will
eventually put them ahead. young man
who is now making tour of the east recently
said that the band would be credit to Wash
ington City, D. c. Constant practice will put
them ahead; and our cieizens need not be sur
prised some day to learn that Roseburg band
talent is to furnish music for the most extra
ordinary occasions Of Oregon, California or
Washington Territory.
The Junior band as juvenile band, has
not its equal in Oregon. Their playing on
last Christmas eve is seldom if ever excelled
by any band of like number. The boys, none
OF whom are above fourteen years, possess
good native talent; and best of all they are
good boys, and as such have received encour-
ment and applause on every hand from the
citizens of this the destined metropolis of this
great Southern Oregon.
Out of 400 inhabitants Of Roseburg it is
estimated that over fifty per cent play upon
some musical instrument. This was not thus
quarter OF century ago. If music is refin-
ing, we emphatically say that the world is
morally improving; and more people should
try the efficacy of subduing the Objectionable
features of their fellow man with music. If
instead of carrying concealed weapons for de
fcnse, more men were we'll armed with back
hand, double-action demi-semi-quavers, our
penitentiary would not be so over-crowded as
it is and society would prosper to greater ex-
tent than it does.
The music of churches, sunday schools and
day schools is also well selected. Persons of
limited means can in this day of the world, by
singing with choirs and improving such other
opportunities as may come up, obtain a pass
ably good musical education at a very slight
cost to himself or any one else. Let us have
plenty of music. Let our citizens continue to
encourage our bands who will constantly prac-
tice and make such progress and as they may
desire to attain. Let the bands come out IN
the new band stand and other prominent
places in the city and dispense an abundance
of that which will in every instance refine and
incline to noble and higher deeds.