The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-05-14
MUSIC in SCRANTONS INFANCY,

For our WOmano . Iaper.
You ask me to write Of the Music of
Scranton forty years ago." You might
almost as we'll ask me to write of the
snakes in ireland, only there are no
snakes in ireland, and there were music
lovers and. consequently, musicians,
tho modest in their attainments here.
even then. Oil for 1.-The pen of q
ready writer" to attempt description
Of our little town in the woods. There
are few still left Of the oldest in
habitants" and they can remember
when the only music we had was fur
nished by the choir Of the First Pres
strument. There we're some lovely
voices there and those who could not
sing made melody in their hearts"
1t has often occurred to me in these
later days that 1t would be good idea
for more people to confine themselves
to making melody in just that way.
Concerts, of course, could not be given,
from the fact of there being no suitable
hall or room. Great was the joy when
Mr.. Schlager finished the third floor Of
his building Qate Monies & PughesD
for that purpose, and 1t soon became
noised abroad among travelling trOupes
that our people were hungry for music,
and each one did its share in satisfy
ing that hunger. However. Scranton
was growing so rapidly there were all
sorts Of tastes to crafty, and each
troupe went away feeling satisfied with
having had an appreciative audience.
The company that was always greeted
by q crowded house and wild applause
was composed Of five gentlemen calling
themselves"The Contnentals." Dressed
in continental costume they were at
k~n tvHn nd fN q
tutored ears" their singing was delight e
full and will always be pleasant men,
ory. The first musician convention
ever held here was conducted by Will
liam r. Bradbury, Of church music
fame in the First Presbyterian church,
q three days convention, enjoyed by all
who attended it, ending with a "grand
concert" and pronounced by all a great
success. OF our own singers, how few
are left! Our honored friend, Mr.. f. =.
Kingsbury, was then, as now. an en-
thusiast in music, and to the able man
ncr in which he conducted the choir Of
the First Presbyterian church for many
years, were we indebted for the good
music all enjoyed. His love for, and
knowledge of, music have always given
him prominent place among the mus
icians of Scranton. Can any one who
ever heard the beautiful singing Of
Mrs. Mary Nash ever forget 1t? Her
lovely voice, charming personality, and
readiness to give her friends pleasure
are not to he easily forgotten. I fYfIst
beware of the garrulousness of old age,
but must not close without mentioning
Mr.. Ferdinand Burger, our first band
master. He organized and skillfully
conducted q band whose fame went
abroad" and whose soul-stirring
music was greeted with widest en-
thusiasm. He was followed to the
grave by thousands who listened to the
sad music of one Of his own beautiful
dirges, with truly sorrowful hearts.
Among our young people were many
singers as well as players upon instru-
ments. Our first violin virtuosi were
Dr. Allen and his youthful friend. T.. Fl.
Ripple. Together they evoked such
sweet sounds that all who heard were
charmed; their fingers have not yet lost
their magic touch. 1t was an unfailing
source Of pleasure to some of these
young people to serenade their friends.
! remember one party who. with vio-
Inns. guitars and some old sweet songs,
becoming so elated by the. applause
their friends bestowed upon them, stole
through the dense woods that almost
surrounded the Wyoming house, and
serenaded the then famous and truly
charming cantatrice, Miss Caroline
Richings. Oh. the presumption Of
youth. But what fun they had!
The Scranton Of today Is large,
beautiful city, fast forging to the front
In musical matters, but the hearts Of
the older inhabitants are ofen home
sick for the dear old Scranton and 'the
days Of Aud Lang syne."
ONE WHO REMEMBERS.