The Washington bee., 1911-05-13
CHATS ON MUSIC AND MUSIC
STUDY.
Negro Musicians Organize.
(Bv ]. Hillary Taylor.)

UNITED we stand, divided we tall.
The import OF this grand maxim
should be felt by every Negro mus
ician We cry that the public does
not respect the profession as it
should; does not aid the striving
teacher and earnest, aspiring music
student as it should; does not attend
recitals and concerts given by teach
ers and pupils as it should; but do we
stop to think that we could do much
to bring about just the opposite rela-
ton of these accusations? Have we
tried hard to help ourselves? Have
we organized for The mutual aid ana
support of each other, and to compel a
more wholesome respect from the
community by daily proving to them
our worth and true value and the I'M
port of the art for which we are Ia
boring?
Let us look this suggestion
squarely in the face and analyze the
situation, and l feel we will be CON
vinced that if the Colored musicians
of all classes throughout the country
would ORGANIZE, there could be much
done to make the path of the average
musician and composer more rosy;
I think one of the best examples
given us of what can be accomplished
through intelligent organization IS at
forded us by and through the success
of "The National Negro Business
League" organized some years ago
bv Booker T. Washington. This
grand organization has spread over
the entire country, and every city or
town that can boast of a branch club
or league feel proud of the fact. The
able papers and talks read at the var
ious club meetings, and the great an
nual conference which meets IN dit
ferent important cities acts as a tonic
and spur of encouragement to those
who are succeeding and also to those
who are ambitious to succeed.
Our doctors and dentists have also
felt the need for this healthful and
beneficial influence of the OrganlZa-
ton spirit and they are gradually rls-
ing faster and faster In the scale OF
progress, 4l
Are we as musicians to keep alive
and ever keen the antiquated hatch
et7? l am willing to throw mine
away first, and each of us should tOl-
low. Not only bury them, but cover
them up so securely that they Will
never haunt us again. 1t is often hard
TO turn on our "old selves and root
out any feeling towards our fellow
man that would stop us from labor
ing with him for the mutual progress
of the profession at large and the art
advancement Gt the race IN general
But If we desire success, we must one
and al give ur all feelings OF PreJu-
dice or animnsity towards our fellow
musicians
There should be a National Negro
Musicians Association organized at
the earliest possible time, and those
who are willing and large-hearted
enough to take up this great matter
must be willing to make many saCrl-
fees in order that the organization
become Z. success. Then there should
be the many small or local branches
of said organization in all cities and
towns of any importance. These
branch clubs could be composed en-
tirelv Of piano teachers, singing teach
eTs, theory teachers, composers, or
ganistS, directors, violin teachers, or
Chestral performers and teachers; or
t1iere might be clubs where all these
different factors would unite as one,
and labor for the common good OF all
concerned. However or whatever the
combinations, nothing should hold
us back from commencing this great
work at once. You will be surprised
how much more YOU will be respected
when IL i known that we have many
powerful clubs affiliated with central
or national association, and all work
ing for the common good.
4 few OF the more important ques-
tions that should have consideration
from the central as we'll as the branch
organizations are: What should be
the equipment of piano, organ, voice
or theory teachers? Should musicians
be licensed before being allowed to
teach? What should be the standard
tuition fee per lesson? Should les
sons be given at the teachers studio
or at the pupils home? Should all
lessons missed by the pupil, while un-
der contract for a seasons tuition, be
paid for? What steps might be taken
to bring about a more helpful and
mutual relationship between the col
Ored and white musicians of COM
munitv? What plans can be mapped
out to aid. encourage, and inspire the
striving of Young COlOred composers?
What means can be devised to aid IN
bringing the common people to a bet
ter understanding and appreciation OF
the music art? Many other themes
and subjects of Importance would ma
turally grow out of a serious discus
sion OF these listed questions.
Those interested in this movement
should read my paper on Music
Clubs and Their Influence" published
in The Bee Saturday, April p, 1911;
also nv chat on Community Music"
in the issue of April I, 1911, same pa
Der. We want to encourage this
movement. and I am sure the Editor,
Mr.. Chase, will be pleased to publish
anv short suggestions or letters from
eminent colored musicians that might
be sent MIN. bearing upon this na-
tional and affiliated association organ
P. S. The writer OF this article
would be pleased also TO get into
communication with any musician
who may feel he can help this great
cause. Address such communication
to J. Hillary Taylor, care The Bee,
Washington, D. c.