The Washington herald., 1909-06-13

lNc EAiSA DoASIe6atlOL1l OnurCn Tor lne
past thirty-fve years. teacher OF singing.
piano, organ, composition. and leading
factor in the musical life Of the Capital
of the nation for more than quarter or
a century, has left a gap which viii
probably never be filed. II is a gap
which may ultimately be filed by several
persons. but probably never by one.
1t was his misfortune 10 be sightless,
but he always resented the Idea that
this was in any way an affection He
held to the belief that what he had lost
in one way was made up for in others.
And this was. indeed. the truth He
had the most unbOunded enthusiasm in
his work. which imbued his pupils with
an ambition which many would never
otherwise have known. He had a won
derful knowledge and appreciation OF
music. a remarkable memory, which was
scarcely ever known to fail. and he had
TO memorize hundreds OF compositions 10
keep up with his, large class OF pupils.
Besides. he had a gift. a gift so rare as
10 deserve particular comment, that OF
never commenting on the failings or
weaknesses Of his rivals, no matter how
plainly they were revealed TO him.
He was never known TO make IN
friendly CT unkind comment on other
musicians or teachers. contemporaries Of
his. and with whom a lively competition
was often waged. He was ever the first
10 respond when there was a call for the
help OF the musicians OF washington,
and be was a ready helper for those in
distress. He had. without question, given
his valuable services at more concerts
for the benefit OF other people or organi-
cations or churches than any other one
musician Of Washington. He was quick
TO respond TO a request for the playing
OF Accomplishments. in which he was un-
excelled, and he was as quick TO play
for the pupils of other teachers on the
programmes Of these concerts as for his
own pupils. always with the greatest
pains and care and without comment.
A list Of his pupils would be a list Of
the prominent soioists IN almost all Of
the church choirs Of the city. His second
wife. who is now his widow, was a for
nler pupil. and gifted one. 1t is TO her
diligence and patience. 10 say nothing OF
her knowledge Of music and her cult
walton as a singer, that much OF his
success in his later years was due. She
relieved him Of much OF the drudgery OF
his work, played accompaniments for hln
on many occasions. and wrote out the
music on paper which was created IN
his brain and which will make his name
live in after years. She was an inspira-
ton as well as an aid and a guide. Yet
he never permitted any one 10 dominate
him He always carried the car fares
and paid them out OF his own pocket,
selecting change more quickly and skill
fully than many people with two gOOd
eyes He also did his own typeWTiting.
rapidly and correctly.
Dr. BisChOff was far more practical than
those OF the dark world usually are.
In fact. ne had a business head which
would have made him a power in the
financial world had he not been deprived
of the most important Of his senses. In
a New York daily some months ago the
following article. from his pen. was pub
lshed, which viii interest his friends in
Washington;
In Sleep Human Beings Appear as They are to the
Blind.
b. JOHN ". BIsCHOFF. Mus. Doc
For thrtythree years organis ard choir director Of
the First Congregational Church, Wash
u
The general opinion Is that blindness begets isola-
ton and makes the mind virgin soil for wonderful
impressions b. day and equally wonderful dreams az
night. In the cases II persons who have not en-
joyed the modern educational facilities provided for
the blind. who. having had such advantage have
either desire or no necessity 20 use them, this
may be true. As for me. / have not found il 10.
lost my sight when but two years Of age, ard
ceunot remember the sensation Ct seeing. as the
word is generally understood In childhood chose
music my profession. and ] ever s.nce have been
identified with II in all the avenues for activity
that il presents. In addition 70 my labors as
teacher composer and organizer Of and participant
IN public performances, l have learned 70 DO ana
have done successfully. numerous other things re
lating % my personal Affairs
For instance. / can not only conduct my coue-
spondence. using the typewriter myself. but ire
Queutiy hnd my way about unassisted. and transact
the ordinary business incident 20 being Ameri-
can citizen and the head q an American household
To me life is crowded with duties. and intensely
practical Ny impressions necessarily arc many and
varied. and though when asleep | sometimes dream,
as do most persons. doubt whether my dreams are
az al unlike those az any other man who Is busy
and happy in his daily pursuits.
Further 7 believe Arnly that in my dreams o;
human beings-my pupils and my fneuds-I see them
much as they really are. I the word see ad-
visedly for VIC who walk in what is generally under
stood darkness really see persons endowed with
sight are unable 10 do. The voice is a marvellous
revelation Of character. and no phrcnOOglst ever
learned more from human features OF the pr0tuber-
ances Of the Uranium than does the blind musician
from the spoken werd- Even the expression Of
human face Is Indicated BY the voice when the
ear is sufficiently acute 10 perceive II. Leisure and
haste truth and insincerity. happiness and grief
all are appareht 70 the intelligent blind. let the
tongue utter what it Will All the world knows nov
accurately the features may be read by the trained
touch Of the sghtless. This intelligence elucdate'
dreams IN which appear persons. whether real o.
imaginary.
Though have acquired by the faculty Of memor,
al the music ! have heard that I consider
worth preserving. I regard the gift os memory a.
an adjunct 70 the musical gift rather than as a
manifestation Of the keeuness which the remaining
faculties supposed 10 acquire when one has beer
lost. This store Of melody-and It is a very large
one-does not haunt my dreams. and though much
Of il may lie dormant for a time. ! can readily
recall it when necessary.
do not dream my compositions at night. They
come 70 me With glad welcome. but they come
during the day. when all my faculties are awake
and eager for employment. Practically an my com
posing is done during the summer, when I 20 q
ny cottage on Lake WinnebagO in Wisconsin
There in the silence Of the lake and the forest
dream my Jay dreams, which call inspirations and
AZ my dictation Mrs. BischoG commits them tC
paper.
Mr.. E. ". Stone, for years the business
manager Of the Georgetown Orchestra
and who kept that organization alive BY
his own labor IN its behalf. will leave for
the North next week. to remain until the
autumn. He was obliged 10 give up al
music work two years ago on account OF
his health, which he has entirely recov-
cred. He spent the winter with his cous-
ins. Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Schafer, the for.
rner a first violinist in the Georgetown
Orchestra and well known in Washing.
tors music circles. Mr.. Stone is makine
a short visit TO Washington and Is at the
Ontario.
Mrs. Charlotte G. Lippitt. the well.