Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-01
MUSICAL CONGRESS- OPENS
Devotees Of the Divine Art Gather to
Celebrate Their Muse,
INTENSELY AMERICAN IN SENTIMENT
Speeches of Welcome aud Explanation
All Emphasize the Grand object
NJ Gathering MS the Upiift-
ing of Home Talent.

N majority OF tnOse WIN diltHutu int
opening session OF the National Congress of
Musicians at the First Congregational church
took their own time to It. They kept
coming at all hours during the forenoon and
by the time the afternoon program was
ready to be announced there was a good
audience present. For anything 1t lacked
in numbers was made up in enthusiasm.
The first session opened with fellcitious
addresses and there was one musical recital
by Miss Amanda Vierheller. soprano; Miss
Adah Mabel Bryant, contralto, and Miss
Georgia Kober. pianist.
Chairman Homer Moore Of the Music com
mittee, presided over the meeting. He ex-
tended a welcome to all visitors and then
introduced Mrs. J. NJ. Metcalf of this city,
who represented the Womans' clubs at the
congress, and spoke the words OF a formal
welcome. She referred to the fact that the
music-lovlng people of this vicinity were
glad to welcome and to hear the noted
musicians who were announced to appear,
and that the homes and hearts OF the city
were open to them.
Mrs. Sawyer OF the Bureau of Education
OF the exposition, added some cordial words
OF welcome and said:
The Bureau of Education, in arranging a
congress in connection with the exposition,
has had four aims in view. First, to min
lister to the demand forf the underlying
principles which are tie basis of every
form Of progress. The congresses have been
arranged with a view to combine practical
work and aesthetic pleasures. idealistic the
cries, realistic facts, secular movements,
spiritualistic themes. internal sentiments
and external expressions.
Second-To secure upon each subject the
most advanced thought and the highest at
tainments.
Third-To demonstrate that the best
though Of today is not in pursuing dreams
bright and beautiful, yet brief and fugitive,
nor In the intent to find only the pot of
gold at its foot; but that the trend of high
ideals Is onward and upward toward the
central light Of all that is true and beau
tiful in nature and in art.
Lastly To call attention to
the fact that America with
Its unsurpassed wealth OF material posi-
bilities and resources is equally rich in
incorporeal heriditiments, rich in the pos
session of intellectual and artistic develop
menl.
MusicaIIy Considered.
With the first month Of the exposition as
a prelude to a grand symphony, the beauty
of the architecture, the arrangement of the
buildings suggestive of the allegro move
pent; the labor, patience and anxiety relui-
site to secure these results, typical of the
andantc, the entertainment, amusement and
pleasure intimating the scherzo movement;
we prize this congress coming at this time.
1t stands out like a fugue subject with
strong marked features of lofty inspiration
and high ideals. which once introduced will
be again and again taken up and repeated
successfully in various Keys and various
harmonies throughout the exposition.
Chairman z. T. Lindsey, Of the ways
ard means committee, made a few remarks.
He, with some justifable degree of pride,
stated that the Worlds Fair managers who
were here the other day said we had done
better in our music than they. The music
OF other recent expositions had been a fail
ure according to the statements of their
own people, he said, but the Omaha exposi-
tion is credited with having made a sue
Z cess Of this feature. The speaker made
some humorous references to the popular
supposition that musical people are not
good business people. But they are the best
collectors l ever knew Of, he said.
Willard Kimball, director of the exposi-
ton music spoke of the pleasure he felt at
securing the people that were on the con-
Gress' list of speakers.
About American Music.
Homer Moore, chairman Of the commit
tee, frankly said that 1t was time to take
note of the fact-long and many times will,
fully overlooked-that American music and
American singers and composers were as
good as any. This congress, he said, is fol
the purpose Of emphasizing the fact tina
there is plenty Of talent in this country
that we know how to work and how to ap.
preciate music.
There was a time" said he, "when SOM
of us were inclined to think that any musi,
was better than ours. If a performer will
long hair came across the water and w,
could not pronounce his name we were sur,
to rave over him. We have the ultimat,
belief in our success and since we have tina
we can be confident of the end"
Mr.. Moore referred to the hearty spirit o
cooperation which he had met with on al
sides In securing artists from the who'll
country over.
An intermission was then declared to AVA
the arrival of one of the singers. The frs
recital was delayed about an hour.
The program was Of a high order o
merit and 1t was evident that 1t was keenl,
enjoyed.
NV. ToniIins' Lecture.
William NJ. Tomlins, the we'll known mu
steal conductor of Chicago, zane on for al
address In the afternoon. 1t was In Mr.
Tomlins' best vein and was q thoughtful
careful discussion of the development o
musical tastes and tendencies in the child
Mr.. Tomlins, being n natural leader, an
having experience, threw much expression
into his remarks and had the undivided at
tention Of his listeners. His subject wa
emusic and the Development of Child In
dividuality.' 1t was in brief a plea 70
music and song, so that the child may ge
at himself" as the speaker expressed II
Music and song should fit him to bette
appreciate his emotions and feelings. MI
Tomlins at one point said that we ran to
much to machinery and mechanical per
Torrance in many things, and this, in mu
steal instruction, was what was most &c
sired to avoid. Individuality became hope
tessly lost in the mechanical drill. He urge
that music and song be cultivated for II
highest expression.
The speaker discussed the tracing {
the history OF melody among the savag
tribes. He recalled instances of strang
peoples seen on the Midway. There WEI
attempts at musical expression more crud
than the drum. a stick of wood. To tn
savage music-such ais II isis the expires
sion OF that which cannot be expressed l
any other way.
Armstrong on Musicians.
Mr.. William Armstrong. editor Of a m,
steal magazine and a critic for a numbt
of years on the Chicago Tribune. gave h
lecture on Interviews with Famous Mus
clans" which was an extremely interest