The Republican journal., 1912-07-18
Musical Belfast.
Some of the Old-time Orchestra Je,der.
and Musicians.

than ever before, as these talents have hoo,
handed down from generation to generation
and improved with modern methods of cult;.
vation. But our purpose today is to deal main.
ly with the past. We learn from Williamson,s
History that on May 16. 1928, the Belfast Musi.
cal Library Society gave concert of sacred
music in the First Parish church. June g.
1S4o, concert was given in Phoenix Hall bv
the Little Foxes" August II, 1s4O, the Bel
fast Glee Club gave concert. February 26
1886, union concert was given for the poor at
the Unitarian church. February As, 1s47, the
Union Brass Band gave two concerts at the
court house. January 81, 184s, a brass band
composed of young men residing here gave
their first concert in the Unitarian church. and
gave second one in May. March 2s 1850. a
musical rehearsal of selections from operas
and oratorios was given at the Unitarian church
under the direction of Col. ]. W. Webster.
This gives glimpse of the musical dojnps
in early days, and brief mention of some of the
later achievements will be made preliminary
to sketch of the early orchestra leaders and
players. The Belfast Parlor Musical Society
continued today as the Belfast Musical Society.
gave many recitals that were rare treat to
music lovers. We recall especially their
ladies' quartette composed of Mrs. John H.
Quimby, Mrs. E S. Pitcher, Miss Charlotte w.
Colburn and Miss Maud Milliken. Then the
Belfast Band gave minstrel shows of very
high order. The afterpiece in one, "The
Lunch Car" written by Fred T. Chase, was
superior to anything of the kind the writer
had ever seen by professionals. and the setting
and acting are entitled to like praise. Later.
in similar entertainment, the band gave an
original farce written by Fred T. Chase and
George A. Quimby, entitled "Dr. Cuttem's
Experiment" which drought down the
house."
The Gilbert and Sullivan operas "Pinafore"
and "Iolanthe" have been successfully pre-
sented here by local talent; and more notable
still has been the presentation of three original
operas, written, composed and sung by local
talent. First, we had the opera by Robert P.
Chase entitled "The Granger's Daughter"
played in the Opera House to crowded houses
for four nights. Both words and music were
by Mr.. Chase, who has many other musical
compositions to his credit, including march
| WHICH, L. w. I1oWe VI Lne AIcQ1SO0, Kansas,
Globe, competent critic, pronounced superior
to any march written by Sousa. Then we had
the opera "Pepita," composed by Augustus c.
Knight, Belfast boy, and in 1910 the musical
comedy of "The Duke of Volendam," also COM
posed by Mr.. knight, and at this writing there
is prospect that his new opera, Capt
Cupid" may be presented here this season.
hasa
we give the following mention of some of the
old time musicians.
In the earlier days of Belfast and vicinity
the music for amusement was furnished by
single volnists. who, playing in the style of
that time, were hosts unto themselves. as
many people still living will gladly testify
Many are the anecdotes related about Jack
Douglass and his violin. and at later date the
dance music of Thomas Morrow had a be-
witching magic. Upon special occasions violin
lists were assisted by two or three men, who
played their parts without notes, which was
called "vamping." This was no hardship, how
ever, for the music consisted of standard horn
pipes, two-strain waltzes, schottisches etc. of
simple harmony. and with which all contempo-
rary musicians were familiar, so that the num-
bers were generally performed with consider
able skill and easy flow.
| Violinists became dancing masters, and prom
inent among whom were Prof. Hanford
Crosby and the late Prof. J. C. Whitten They
were both strong men in their vocation, much
respected, and their names are firmly and
widely identified with the dancing events of
their period. Prof. Crosby played fine old
Maggini violin of beautiful quality of tone, now
in perfect preservation, and owned by his son
Charles H. Crosby of this city.
Prof. VIM. H. Whiddon is affectionately re-
membered by very many people here, and he
was doubtless the first leader to actually or
ganize an orchestra playing wholly from notes,
and using portable stands to hold the music
There were no folding stands in those days,
and Prof Whiddon's music was contained in
manuscript books, from which were played the
beloved "Stradella Quadrille." the witching
waltz ouadrilles and other favorite numbers.
The orchestra was known as Waiddon's Quad
rille Band, and consisted of the following
members: VIM. H. Whiddon. 1st violin and lead
er; Jos. H. Trussell, I'd violin; Geo. W. Burgess,
bass; John Singh. cornet; Percy Sanborn, flute;
and, later, Jacob L. Havner, bass.
Until then there had been no orchestra or
band music published in this country, but about
that time Elias Howe of Boston, Mass, became
the pioneer, and issued a series arranged for
five parts. embracing pieces like America, y
"Dead March in Saul, ""Elfin Waltzes," ,""Wreck-
er's Daughter" etc. Copies were purchased
and privately used by Eben M. Sanborn, and
are now preserved by him. This was soon fol.
lowing by set entitled "Howes Quintette
Band Rooks," although there were really eight
parts Prof. Whiddon received the famous No.
l Books and the music therein became very
popular This orchestra enjoyed wide vogue
and played for the dedication of the new Hay.
ford hall including concert and ball, the band
being augmented for that occasion by M. H
Andrews of Bangor, and Fred Meservey of
Rockland.
In the late COS Prof. Whidoon removed te
Boston, where he became an efficient and hon.
ored member of 7. M. Carter's well-known
band. He died in Everett, Mass, Sept. /, 1909
Upon Prof. Whiddons removal to Boston al
orchestra was formed called tine Belfast Quad
L