The herald., 1897-10-03
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the Blanchard-Fitzgerald hail. the fol-
lowing from the current number Of the
New York Musical Age is quoted. 1t is
q eigned article by Frank Damrosch, is
self-explanatory, and the plan of action
here outlined, having proved so emf
nently successful in New York may be
at least practicable here, and is certain
ly worth a trial. Apparently 1t is on
similar lines that Mr.. Fillmore proposes
to carry on the work here, and 1t is to be
hoped for the sake Of the community
and the individuals concerned that the
meeting tomorrow will be a large one.
Here Is the article:
NEW YORK, Sept Is, 1897.
1T is now five years since first invited
those who desired to learn to sing from
notes to become members Of the peoples
sir3ging classes, in which I promised to
teach them sight-singing and to intro
duce them to the beautiful works Of the
masters of the art Of music. The
classes were organized on the coop
erative principle, were supported en-
tirely by the members themselves, with
out any outside assistance, and 1t was
agreed that each member should pay 10
cents per lesson to meet the expenses
Of hall rent, music and sundries.
"The success of this movement has
surpassed the most sanguine expecta-
tions, On entering the pupils learn to
bring the sounds Of the scale into rela-
tion with each other. After about ten
lessons the classes begin to read at sight
simple four-part choruses. which in
crease in difficulty as progress is made
in mastering the more complex rhythms
and difficult intervals.
"At the beginning of the second year
all members of the elementary classes
are brought together, and form the ad-
vanced class. The further study of sight
singing, elements Of harmony, four-part
choruses and cantatas form the curric-
ulum throughout the season, at the end
of which all members in good, standing
are admitted to the Peoples Choral
union, the organization which now rep.
resents the movement.
1.-THE Peoples Choral union continues
to study sght-singing and. harmony,
and aims to acquire repertory of the
most beautiful choral music, such as
part songs, madrigals, cantatas and or
atorios. Within the larger movement
numerous smaller bodies have been
formed for musical and social objects,
and there are great many practice
classes, glee clubs, quartet clubs, etc.
But there Is another point from which
II Is proper to view the results Of this
movement. Music, the best music, is
not only passing sensual pleasure; it
often awakens emotions which reveal
to the individual a truer knowledge of
the better nature within him than he
himself has ever before realized. 1t IS
like a person who, lost, has suddenly
found himself; and when man once real
ICES how much higher being he is than
that human machine which merely lives
to work, eat and Sleep he sets himself
new standard.
"He finds the treasures OF literature at
his hand in the public libraries; of
beauty, color and form in the public gall
leries; he may pursue scientific study
and investigation in public institutions.
There the public Institutions stop. The
one form of art which comes nearest to
the peoples hearts, which could enter
Into the daily life of the people, making
It brighter, sweeter, happier and richer.
the statemakes little or no provision for;
and 1t was to fill this need that the
Peoples singing classes were estab-
lished.
II believe that art Is not luxury for
the rich but necessity for the poor;
that it Is necessary to stimulate the
mind engrossed with the sordid care of
eking out a material existence. I be-
lieve that music is the natural language
In which people expresses its ideals, its
emotions, its character. The folk-songs
of the various races of Europe prove this.
II believe that choral singing fosters
union, cooperation, subordination of
the individual, self-control, precision,
concentration, enthusiasm and self-for-
getfulness; and tends to produce fra
ternity, love of all that is beautiful,
noble and good, love Of humanity, love
of country; and I believe that oppor-
tunity should be given to all people to
learn to sing beautiful music in chorus,
and to hear works Of great composers;
and so renew my invitation to all work
Ing people to join the Peoples singing
classes. All that is required as qualif1-
cation is the earnest desire to learn.
FRANK DAMROSCH."
A complim mentary concert was given
last night at the School Of Art and De-
sign, st. Vincent's hall, under the direc-
ton Of Prof. Matthew H. Grist. The
program was made up Of vocal and in
strumental music and recitations. The
latter were given by Miss Essie Luce
and p. J. Duggan; the Singers were
Mines. F. Luce and Cyrus Donate,
Misses Alyce Moore and Alberta Merit,
Miss Josie Hamilton and Frank Beale
rendered violin solos; Mrs. A. Egan
Mannheim piano solo; and Mrs. Do
nato and M. H. Grist contributed duet
by De Beriot for piano'and violin.
Miss Leadora Whitcomb, graduate of
the Northwestern University of Music,
announces three series of ten lectures
each, on the history of music, that will
begin October H. 1897, and continue to
June g. 1898. The first course will be
general and biographical" the second
course will deal with "Oratorio and
Opera" and the third with the "Ten.-
dencies of Modern Music"
y y
Madame de Seminario Of Los Angeles
has been engaged to sing October at
San Francisco with the Oratorio society
OF that place, under the direction of
James Hamilton Howe, and she will fill
three other engagements in that city be-
fore she returns.
4 Y y
Mr.. L. F. Gottschalk, in whose capable
hands was placed the musical part of
La Fiesta cele tion last spring, has
been engaged as conductor for Victor