, 1908-05-22
MUSIC IN
THIS CITY
PAPER ON HISTORY OF ART IN
CONNECTION WITH GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT HERE.
w. n. 3. Jacobus Entertains Laramie
Literary Club in Most Interesting
Manner and Recalls Early Days
and the Provision for the Muse
Walk for the Library.
BY w. S. Inaham.

BY w. s. Ingham.
AT the meeting last night of the
Laramie Literary club at the Carnegie
library w. II. b. Jacobus read a most
interesting paper upon Music in Lar
amie,' and Erl Wolfard introduced as
a subject for discussion Inland Wa
terways." Action was also taken by
the club looking to the undertaking of
aging n cement walk about the Ii
brary. a committee being appointed to
take the matter il hand.
Lack of Application.
In the course of his paper Mr.. Jaco-
bus referred to the need felt here of a
large central organization for vocal
music and the difficulty experienced
in the bringing together of people for
practice and united effort. While
there Is plenty of musical talent in
the city, said Mr.. Jacobus, the history
Of musical affairs here shows lack of
constant application and also a lack of
adequate support. There ought to be
a permanently established chorus of
at least fifty voices able to sing any
of the best choruses or cantatas or
even light musical opera, and able to
take part in any public function at
short notice. This organization would
also be of great benefit to the choirs
of the various churches.
Some Pioneer Musicians.
In speaking of the history of music
in Laramie, Mr.. Jacobus referred to
the orchestra belonging to old Fort
Sanders, which in the '70s and early
SOS. under the direction of Prof. Navo-
dinoas, furnished about all the music
~obtainable. 1t was in this orchestra
that Prof. Meth obtained some of his
early training. In the year 1882 this
orchestra gave the first concert, being
then under the direction of William
M%arquardt. A choral society, started
at about this time, had as members
Mr.. Peabody, Mr.. Wilkins, Mrs. Van
Kuren. Miss McCloud, Mrs. Dickinson.
Mrs. "Bill' Nye and Mrs. I~vinson, with
Mr.. Marquardt as musical director and
"BilP' Nye as manager. In those
days both Mr.. and Mrs. Ivinson took
an active part in musical affairs and
frequently sung solos. In 1882 the
Laramie Maennerchor was organized
under Prof. Marquardt and is now the
Oldest musical organization in the
state. A parody on 1.-The Divers" of
Schiller, given by the Maennerchor in
1888, made quite a hit, and was the
first operetta ever given in Laramie.
Otto Gramm's Band.
Several choral societies which came
into existence in the early days of the
city were mentioned and the perform,
ances they gave. 1t was stated that a
band was organized by Otto Gramm in
1881. The present North Star society
was organized as a Scandinavian
singing society, under the direction of
Prof. M%arquardt, being two years later
changed into a benefit association.
In 1891 music was first introduced
into the public schools, at first going
no lower than the fourth grade. but 1t
was soon found that it was necessary
to make it also a part of the teaching
in the lower grades.
Beginning Of School Of Music.
Mr.. Jacobus also traced the intro
duuction and growth of musical educa-
ton in the university, starting from
the formation of a orchestra by Prof.
Merz some twenty years ago, and
growing into the school of music,
which was opened under Mrs. Leroy
Grant in 1895. but discontinued after
several years until revived five years
ago under Mrs, Mary Slavens Clark.