New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-24

s,,,s ohta,nabIe in a brief time from people almost
entirely unframed in music, by a reasonaoie ana
scientific method of instruction THESE results arc
NJ the utmost interest and significance TO those
who believe IN the potency of choral music as
making for gentleness and culture and refinement
and they are OF the greatest cheer 10 those VINO
would see in a widespread devotion 10 ana
practice OF chorus-sipgng among the masses OF
the people the surest touchstone OF nation io'e
and appreciation OF good music OF all kinds.
7, was about two years ago ttat Mr.. Damrosch
conceived the plan OF forming public singing classes
for the working people OF New-fcrk he hai oo-
served the singular interest or the "el-to-uo i'e
hers of his private choral slght-roading classes-an
interest which led to the sacrifice OF many otner
pleasures and which was evidently based on 'he
intrinsic enjoyment OF making music In co-opera-
ton rather than the possibility OF personal uiS
play IT occurred TO Mr. Damrosch therefore that
the same pleasure could be given to classes or
working people and at the same time an uplifting
and ennobling element introduced into lives pro-
v,ded with too few resources of this nature
He therefore communicated with several genue-
men resident in Forsyth-st engaged In social WORK
and investigation and the result was cal TOT d
preliminary meeting 10 be held at the rooms OF 'he
Working Women's Society. No. q Clinton Place
October l. 1892 to determine the attitude OF the
working men and women toward such scheme.
The rooms were crowded and the response was
heartily favorable Mr.. Damrosch then Issued an
invitation for all VINO wished 10 Join singing class
to m Cooper L
October II. In this invitation he offered TO teach
"everybodv who desired to learn 10 read music from
notes" The class to be practically free.
charge of 10 cents for each lesson being made with
nothing extra for music. Any vorkingman over
eighteen years old eligible. and any working
woman over fifteen.
On the Sunday afternoon appointed. Cooper Union
was'crowded more than 100 young men and women
being present and giving every indication OF IN
terest in the new classes. The first sunday was
taken I'D with the necessary prelminarles OF en-
rolment: on the following Sunday the work OF
instruction was begun. and IT was kept up without
interruption until the following May. when the
.lass demonstrated the success of it's seasons Work
oy a concert in Music Hall. 1t was not 10 be eH-
,ected that the first enrolment OF l,OU names
could be maintained throughout the winter FROM
one cause or another several hundred dropped off,
and the class was narrowed down TO permanent
attendance OF about 500 Their regularity was unex-
nected and remarkable. in the beginning IT had
been promised that TO those who attended every
lesson throughout the season refund OF 81 from
,beir dues OF 10 cents a Sunday should be made
When the winters work was done. 1t was found
,bat no fewer than 450 had earned this refund.
The interest previously shown was more IMAM
maintained when the time 10 resume the lessons
came last October The Cooper Union class eh'ereu
unon It's second with an attendance OF ABOUT
I aOo which narrowed down TO an average OF ABOUT
7oo In addition to this elementary classes
whom about l. 200 remained In regular ATTENDANCE
These were held in several halls in dinerent par's
NJ the city and were taught by assistants iarni'ar
with Mr. Damrosch's methods with his occasional
superyision. These assistants were MISS Duiiii"s'
Miss McCaffery Miss Doty and Miss Lee
A, ,helr concerts In Music Hal. May 10 ana ~
the elementary classes sang part song by Co'-
rad, creditably and united with the Cooper ohiop
class in singing Elm. Feste Burg. Ine cooper
Tn,on class which, two seasons ago. Desa" l"e
s,uav of music In practical ignorance OF us mos
elementary principles. sang part SONGS oS e''
selssohn and Hatton. and Mende.ssohns long any
nv no means simple cantata OF "AthaNe' the 'd'e,
with orchestral accompaniment. The music was az
we'll sung: indeed there were many respects :"
which the concert would have done credt 70 io"e'
established choir OF singers. trained In music from
their childhood and accustomed 10 chorai shei's
by many years Of practice. Fully TO appreciate VIVA
enthusiasm and devotion and sacrihce mao Deen
h,ougnt N the accomplishment OF these thihsS "
is necessary TO remember that the choris'efs "e,'
every one wage-earners; that their pracuce ~
waived the surrender Of the greater part OF ese''
Sunday afternoon--the only free afternoon OF theii
veek-and the giving up OF such other pleasures ano
recreations as young men and women OF their SO
tion are wont to enjoy on this day. Furthernio.e
70 many. especially during the last winter OF III