The broad ax., 1914-09-05
The Advent Of the Negro
into America and His
Effect in the Produc-
ton of Music Both of
a Popular and More
PretentiOus Character
BY GEORGE R. GARNER, JR.

| 'tSoSN "hOiiy VI mcLuDeIS OF IN,
Negro ace. Their admirable work wa.
the talk Of two continents as was the
great work done by the original Fish
Jubilee Singers who like Williams and
the late Walker delighted Kings and
Queens and touched the hearts of all
with their peculiar minor'' cadence
in the simple songs that they rendered
What delightful memories the old
Original Fisk Jubilee Singers" bring
to my mind. The name 1 have heard
often and the stories of their priva.
lions and hardships as told to me by
my beloved "Grandmother" always
awakens new life in me and inspires
me to work doubly hard. The recogni-
tion Of the Caucasians to the Negro
from musical standpoint is due alto
gether to the most excellent success
made by the Famous Fisk Jubilee
Singers" who under the direction of
George L. White started out on
October 6, 1871. There was much
to discourage them but they had
faith in the Mighty Jehovah and the
first three months work brought a con-
siderable sum of money into the Uni
versity treasury. Then came an invi-
tation to take part in the World s
Peace Jubilee in Boston. This gave
renewed encouragement. 1t WASH t al
together smooth sailing for the Fisk
Singers in Boston, however, for in the
first Co cert there was abroad a spirit
of antagonism which at one moment
went beyond the bonds of civility and
deeorum. The patient singers evineed
neither disturbance nor resentment, (if
only some really good musicians and
singers that know would do the same
Just sometime) and perhaps this for.
bearanee on their part swung the bal
anee of public opinion decidedly in their
favor.
The supreme test came, when the
singers took part in one of the jubilee
concerts. The "Battle Hymn of the
Republic" was to be sung to the air of
"John Brown" by some Afro-Ameri-
can singers of Boston.
Unfortunately, the key was pitched
too high, and the first lines were voiced
under obvious difficulties. The Fisk
singers, owing to the good training
they had received found no difficulty
with the high notes on which the
others had failed, and when were
reached the words "He hath sounded |
forth the trumpet that shall never call
retreat, (their cue for joining in,) they
took up the song as if swept by a wave
Of inspiration. At the chorus, "Glory,
glory, Hallelujah," the audience of
twenty thousand people arose en- masse,
the women waving their handkerchiefs
and the men throwing their hats high |
in the air, cheering and shouting "The
Jubileesl The Jubilees foreverl" and |
the great fame Of these singers have
been heralded broadcast throughout the
world and even to this day we have the
Jubilee Singers" Today they are
the cultured and refined element the
having had their voices eul-
tivated. The most famous "Jubilee
Singers" Of this day are the "win- |
iams' Dixie Jubilee Singers" who have
a reputation on two continents while
the midland Jubilee Singers" and
'Fergerson's Jubilee Singers" have
attained an enviable reputation in this
country. Their rendition Of the ju-
bilees is q message Of song that finds
no parallel. Through the interprets-
lion f these jubilee songs and by their
rendition Of the same,
demands for the Negro q distinct place
IN the Musical World, and also has ex-
srted an influence in the history Of
music in America.
From the fact that Musical Culture
'yer is becoming more general it is
nut natural to assume that the in
.reased familiarity Of the Afro-Ameri-
an with music Of the better class must
ave its effects. In order to fully ap-
'reeiate good music one must hear it
'ften and II possible talk with the
Irtist upon the subject. There are
many names besides those already emu
aerated which have become closely as
with the concert stage. II
in Sufsee to mention the following a.
Of their class:
Nine =. AEaIia Hseklsy, COlorstura
'oprano, Touring America Pupil Of
can de Resks; Nine. Virginia Green,
nina Donna Soprano, Williams Dixie
ubilse Singers Famous On Two Con- !
ineHts; Nina. Kathrins skesns-Mite 4
D, Soprano, Cleveland, Ohio, Sang I