Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-22
MELODY OF NATION EVOLVED
Hawaiian Singers are Product Of Rs-
cial Growth.
COME FROM LAND OF MUSIC
Dusky Islanders Are Examples of Ma
tionaI Development, In which
Hawaii Surpasses Rest Of
WorId-DtStInctiNc Music.

In the brief period Of forty years
Hawaii has developed distinctive native
music that is bringing that insular domain
into national prominence, accomplishing
what other nations have acquired in
musical way only in centuries, This is
thoroughly demonstrated by the troupe Of
Hawaiian singers who are entertaining
the vast crowds at the Land show. While
they include in their programs melodies
and songs popular among the English
speaking people. most OF their singing Is
in the native tongue, which gives them the
best opportunity to pour forth their talent.
All races and nations OF amy Importance
Law claim to a native music. which is more
often found in the folk-song Here In
America musical historians will tell us
that we have a national music, but they are
not decided as to what 1t is. Some have II
that the old droning, sonorous chant OF
the negro is the basis OF the so-called
native music, while others prefer to go
back to the forests and prairies and lay
claim 10 the wierd Indian melodies as the
only true American music.
Primitive MUSES. UnintercstinE.
Whatever may be the decision Of the
historians. II still remains that neither the
aboriginal nor negritic folk-chsnts have
4 been developed INTO a lluSlN liiuN - Netf
able Of attracting wide and permanent at
/ tention as is the case with the Hawaiian
chant. It is true that the negro melody
has been rounded out into few classic
compositions but they do not occupy a
| high place in the world Of music The
severest setback to the development Of the
negro has been the corruption Of the music
| into what Is known as rag time Little
or nothing has been done with the Indian
melody, which is really the true American
music.
But in Hawaii every opportunity has been
embraced to develop a national music
! from the native chant and wonderful
progress has been made along this line in
/ less than a half century Several things
/ have contributed to this rapid develop
ment, according to w. 5. Ellis, native
Hawaiian, who is director of the troupe
of singers appearing at the Land show
In the first place practically every Hswa--
! iian is a natural musician.
Flowers Lend Inspiration.
! He lives in an atmosphere of music and
| flowers. and he continually breathes the
fragrance of both. with a natural bent
toward music, 1t has been possible for him
to develop a native melody because he has
had better musical material on which to
work than the musicians Of other nations
/ The Hawaiian chant embraces a world of
possibilities to the creative musician. Ii
is soft melodious plaintive soul-stirring
and sweet. and these rare qualities have
appealed to those who have entered into
the development The results have been
wonderful.
Music other than that embraced by the
primitive chant was unknown in Hawaii
previous to forty years ago. II has been
about that long since Captain Berger, a
German soldier of fortune and a musical
| genius, landed on the island and attracted
the attention of the king.
Royal Band Organized.
! Captain Berger Immediately set about to
| organize band among the natives, intro
ducing modern methods to which the Ha-
| waiian boys took to like ducks to water,
and this organization, by the kings orders
and sanction, became what was known as
the Royal Hawaiian band, which toured
this country a few years since, attracting
wide attention. This band appeared In
the Omaha Auditorium three years ago,
and Mr.. Ellis Of the Hawaiian singers APP
peared here at that time as saxophone
soloist. The Royal band is now in Homo
lulu
The singers who are now at the Land
show have been in this country since
last March They were brought to the
country by the Hawaiian Promotion com
mittee, which is maintained by the terri
torial government During the summer
months they played at the eastern resorts,
later going into vaudeville. They came
west to sing at the Chicago Land show,
and then came to this city for the same
purpose After their engagement in Omaha
axnact 10 Va-puter vaudeville