The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-01-25
Music in America.

Those who read the leading musical
journals and periodicals., and keep
abreast With the musical world. note
with pride and pleasure. the tributes
paid to Americas musical art and
artists by critics aud correspondents
from Paris, Vienna aud London, as
they progress in those cities, thus
demonstrating che gifted ability which
Americans possess for musical develop
rasns. But the progress OF music in
America during she past few decades
has been such that it is no longer
considered essential to make pilgrim
age to foreign shores 10 search of 8
musical education.
While it is. true that popular preju.
dice, resol.ing from ignorance on the
par. Of the public. rather than from the
ioeGcieney Of our teachers hampers. TO
some extent, the ambitious studens. this
prejudice ia s few more gears will have
been entirely removed. and Auerica's
u,agnifoens sdyantsges for the aequisi-
saoa Of musical educasion and inspisa
sion viii be properly appreciated. We
have 10 every branch Of musical art,
che ablest teachers 10 be found oH any
continent. The great musical insti.a-
sionsfof the country are making Won
derful strides, and are yearly augmeus
lag aud perfectiug she various branches
Of the higher education in music
il is very apparent IRON the progress
aud prosperity of these institutions.
shss the refining and elevasing influence
Of music is recognized. While an
elementary knowledge OF music may
be had 10 the public schools aed semi
nafies. It is to she famous institutions
utsch furnish the best instruction and
exclusive sraining that students must
apply in order that their talents may
be properly developed.
Not only have we teachers. bn: se
slso have some of the greatest compos-
ers of modern times.
The American composer has fought
his way unaided to point where his
talent must be, aud will be, recognized
by the whole world. say unaided,
but this 10 not altogether true, as it is
with the assistance Of the large publish.
ing ksuses who show their sense Of
duty TO their country By placing the
work Of American composers before the
Ansricsn public that he has gained
footing in the musical world which it
WoaEd otherwise bsye been impossible
for him to attain.
Il is asserted by foreign artists that
an enormous amount sf,advertising, is
necessary before his or her advent be-.
fore an Amesican audience. The fact
seems to be entirely overlooked BY
them that America is vast country
wish great multitude Of population !;
shas il Is . young nation as yet, aud By
no neans nation Of artists. and that.
While oar mEsieians are wall acquainted
with the musical artists of note IN Eu-
rope, It is rot from the musicians who
are p,overbially too poor to pay for ex
pepsise seat1. that she foreigner wins
his golfers sall of American gold. bat
from the people who sepresens large
nsiority Of Americans. People who
are anxious TO have great artist, and
who are ready and willing TO pay for
that privilege L is to reach these peo
pie aud make thsn acquainted with q
famous musical artist before his appear
ance before an American audience. that
makes advertising go absolutely necos-
#sary
Europe derives from American lovers
OF music two g,ess sources Of revenue.
First, moDes BY our people to VS.
iting and noA--~4c musical artists; Sec
ood, money paid to teachers and insti-
sutions IN Europe, by American pupils.
From these two sources alone q revenue
Of 81. 500 ,080 is realized. 10 some
significant statistics given BY the Musi-
cal Ccnrier. is is estimated that the an
nLsl average Of revenue to foreign mu
sioas people pssd BY our people amounts
TO 81 600. 900. This includes che two
above named sources together with the
cost Of living in Europe travelling ex-
penses incurred By parents aud families,
in their annual visits, or temporary vis-
its OF pupils; costs of debuss 10 Europe.
grand opera artists and light opera sing
ers.
Il will be seen that while these
sources are enormously productive to
Europe, they devi.aiize American musi-
ool life. Why not pssrouize our own
splepdidly eqapiped musical institutions
which are located In our leading cities
New York. Boston. ST. Louis. Ciu
cinnasi sod others, aud thus stimulate
the efforts made for . higher and uobler
musical ambition at bome?-Mrs. j.
yET ~ 6L-.:-f.