The sun., 1893-10-01
POPULAR EDUCATIoN Nv roCxLIsA
Frank Damro.ch's Music Cia.scs Amoas
New Hork's rintn renplc.

Frank Damro-ch's Music Cia.ncs Amo.s
New Tork's rintn People.
II Mr. Frank Damrosch were not such busy
man he would probably stop now and then
and congratulate himself AS it is, other peo-
pie do that for him while be goes busily ahoad
and earns more congratulations.
rear ago Mr.. Damrosch conceived fhe idea
Of developing the musical instincts OF the un-
cultured masses OF New York. People lidn't
congratulate him then on his plan. Some
scoffed at it. Others, knowing that he was q
busy man, asked him why he wanted to do it
All shook their heads over the prospects Of
success
To tho why" OF his friends Mr.. Damrosoh
said that he wanted to give the power Of nav
ing pleasure to people to whom 1t mostly was
denied. A person who can sing has always a
resource. Sometimes it is not all that could
be desired by his neighbors. Well. then. give
his neghbors the same weapon. Mr. Dam-
rosch wanted to teach. oh ever 80 many peo-
pie who could not sing anything but Annie
Rooney" or Ia rara" or The Bowery"
how to reod music. so that they could enlarge
their repertoires as much as their ability 10
get hold OF the music would permit.
And the wiseacres shook their heads!
But. after the Damrosch manner. the woulds
be teacher went right ahead He knew Mrs
Edward King. a workingman. but one who had
helped himself and likes to help others. He,
with Messrs. Paulding aud Stover. also work.
ingmen. announced the new scheme in various
quarters and asked those wishing to Join the
classes to attend meeting at the rooms Of the
Working Women's Club in Clinton place. The
night Of the meeting came. So did the people
more and more Of them-until they .overfowed
the rooms. and Mr.. Damrosch had to address
two meetings. one in the building. another In
He explained his purposes. gave them time
to think the thing over and called another
ono OF the smaller hall at Cooper Union.
Again there was an overflow and MIR. Damrosch
talked to two meetings in true revival fashion.
About 800 nam es were enrolled that day. Two
other classes were organized later. one IN East
Eighty-sixth street and another In Jefferson
street. and about l,6oo pupils attended these
Thirty lessons were given on successive Sun.
piis was ten cents a lesson that is. for Lessons
was taught and At no time dId the pupils have
the aid OF any instrument. Near the close OF
the season the most distinguished musicians
in the city attended some OF the lessons. and
9neducated young people. q, all Municipalities.
Eng tsh German. French; Italian. Russian;
heTmonousy GH1 and Successfully in the Study ~
one Of the essentially fl finer a;sdt. arts. ,n.,o,
not want to have any, feeling Of inequality
among the pupils. and although he got to
made any distinction between them and oth-
ers In his instruction. At the end OF last
years season the classes gave a concert in
Music Hall BY this time they were able to
sing portions Of the oratorios and also va
rl9us iour,part songs They covered tn them. m.
first year OF the free singing classes closed
with perfect satisfaction among the members
and 81 800 in the treasury.
This year it is M expected that the a. three rec
one which will meet In Cooper Union will be
composed OF the members OF al! the last years
classes. and will 60 right on from the point
they had reached at the end OF the season.
called, will be scattered through the tenement
districts. and will be carried through the ele.
mentary stages Of sight reading.
Mr.: Damrosch has hardly decided what will
be given at the concert at the end OF this sea-
son. but hopes to give one Of the larger orato-
rios In that case the & solo parts % VII oe taken
The classes will begin the afternoon Of Sun
many a dingy tenement room viii <. eoho t to tho tn
some of these days New York may be thank.
ing Mr. Damrosch for some such choral soci:
eties as have made the cities OF the Old World
ring with their music.