The colored American., 1900-09-01
PROF. LAYTON THE MAN
Interviews With Prominent Local Afro
Americans Show Prof. John T. Layton
to be the Popular Choice for Director of
Music for the CoIored Schools.

The death of Mrs. Alice Strange
Davis leaves vacancy in the musical
corps of the coiored schools OF the Dis
trict. Since her demise grest many
candidates, including those who are
holding positions as we'll as outsiders
are clamoring for the position made
vacant by her death. The high standard
attained IN music by the District
schools is such that a selection of sue
cessor to Mrs. Davis is a difficult one.
The most prominent as well as the most
popular candidate for the position is
Prof. John T, Layton who has taught
music In the public schools Of this city
for the past seventeen years, and du-
ring the last ten years Of that period
has hsd charge of music in the High
School,
He has been a diligent student of
music for twenty-five years and has
received instructions from such emil
nent masters as DR.. f.. S. Kimball of
this city, Prof. Tinney of the New
England Conservatory of Music, and
Prof. Ernest Lentz, under whose in
struction he made speciality of hsr'
uaony, counterpoint and the rules gov.
erning composition In 1896 Prof. Lay
ton attended the Summer Conservatory
of Music, held at Martha's Vineyard,
Mass. of which Prof. Carl Yachtman
was musical dire ctor. In a class Of
forty seven students. all OF whom were
teachers, Prof. Layton stood number
one and received the certificate of free
scholarship awarded to the student
showing the highest proficiency in all
branches Of vocal music.
Prof. Layton has composed several
sacred songs of considerable merit,
which have been published and are be
ing sung in all the leading church
choirs of this city and the neighboriDg
cities. BE is the only colored composer
In the United States who has compiled
a church hymnaI. His hymnal, which
contains a number Of bis own compo-
sitions is used In all the churches of the
African Methodist Episcopal Con-
nect1on.
For more than twenty years he has
been director of the famous choir of the
Metropolitan A. NJ. E. church, q musi-
cal organization of national reputation.
In addition to Prof. Lsyton's knowl-
edge of music, he is a competent di.
rector, good organizer and is possessed
of considerable executive ability. These
are believed to be the requisite qualifi'
cations for the promotion he seeks from
the Board of Education.
Among the many who endorsed him were
the following:
l don't see how the Board can consistently
do otherwise than appoint Prof, Layton,-Dr'
VIM. b. Conner.
You may quote me as being in favor OF
Prot. Layton. B. B. Brandon.
have no hesitancy in declaring for Prot
Layton. Geo w Pitts.
Prot John Layton is the man for the place.
DIR Frank Davis.
Put me down for anything Prot Layton
wants, Farley.
You may say that am in favor of Prot
John Layton. Daniel Murray.
There is only or John T Layton. Say that
am for him, Daniel Brooks,
am too busy pu, ting in licks for Prof Lay
ton to sit around on store boxes talking
about 1t. 81 Y Arnett
L am pleased to testify to John 7 Layton's
worth for the place. Edgar BeckleF.
Just tell them that Layton is the man and
beside him there is no other. Samuel Lacey.