Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-10-06
J. FRANCIS MACN|CH0L WIDELY
KNOWN AS TEACHER OF SINGING
DIES VERY SUDDE My, TUESDAY

Stricken very suddenly with an
attack of angina pectoric Tuesday
afternoon, j. Francis MacNichol,
teacher of voice culture and widely
known as an artist of exceptional
accomplishment, died in the office
of his physician a few minutes be-
fore 5 o'clock. He was 81 years of
age and during the ~ years that he
has been a resident of this city lived
in the rooms where he maintained
studio in the Allen block on Water
street. Mr.. MacNichol had been at
tended by a physician in his rooms
earlier in the day, but experiencing
distress about 40 in the afternoon
went to, the doctors Office. where
the spark of life rapidly dimmed I'M
til eXtinguished, despite the minis
trations Of the physicians.
]. Francis MacNichol was born
at Vinalhaven, May Z. 1875. The
mother and a married sister are res
idents of Vinalhaven at the present
time.
When the late Dr. Charles S. Pen
ney was pastor Of the old Baptist
church on State street, he heard Mr..
MacNichol, who was young man
at that time, sing, and was so i'm
pressed by his remarkable tenor
voice and artistic technique that he
expressed a wish which was brought
to consumation. when MacNichol
rendered vocal solo at the funeral
services of DIR. Penney. That was his
first appearance as a soloist in Au-
gusta.
In 1899 Mr.. MacNichol came to
this city to locate permanently and
has since continuously resided here
! n aF !, &c
absence for further study. Another
prominent citizen of Augusta be-
came interested in his work and as
| a result Mr.. MacNichoI was engaged
as the tenor singer ir the choir of
the South Parish Congregational
! church, which was one of his earliest
musical connections here.
Artist and Student
| Mr.. MacNichol was a true artist
! and always continued to be an en-
| thusiastic student of voice culture,
! even after he himself had become
! a teacher of considerable reputation.
| He first studied voice with the late
Willis Bachelor of New York. In
! the course of his study and his APP
| plication in an effort to further per-
| feet his voice and his musical edu-
| cation. Mr.. MacNichol went abroad
| to study on three different occa-
sions. with the old Maestro, Sebasti-
ami at Naples. Italy. He continued
| to seek further improvement of his
already great musical ability and
! for the past five years has been a
| pupil Of George Fergerson of New
York City.
His voice was tenor and of re-
markable clarity and range. He has
/ ever been favorite as a soloist, and
! also was an unusual accompanies
and in that capacity had appeared
with many Of the notable concert
and opera artists of the generation.
| He had also mastered the organ,
and many friends enjoyed his rem
! ditions in that medium as keenly as
they did his vocal expression.
Chorus Director
AS a leader of community and
chorus singing, j. Francis MacNichol
achieved fame throughout New Eng
land. He had the happy faculty Of
infusing something Of his own vi
Drant personality into the group
under his baton, and whether it was
his intimate club group at the Elks
sessions or Rotary luncheon meet
ings, or the greater chorus of the
Maine Teachers Convention, his
7 IedueTSHlp resulted III DGduLlIuI CNO-
raj harmony and was a JOY to all
who heard or participated.
For many years Mr.. MacNichol-
he personally abhorred the prefix
ofessor'-traihed the Portland,
Augusta and Bangor choruses for the
annual Maine Music Festivals. Di-
rector William r. Chapman was a
warm personal friend and great ad-
mirer of his ability in training these
chorus groups.
Soloist at National Home
Mr.. MaCNichol had been choir
master and tenor soloist at the Ma
tional Home. Togus, since 1903. He
went there first as organist, but on
one occasion when the regular tenor
was absent from the quartet, he
substituted, and since then the pop
ular demand would not permit of
his relinquishing the part to anoth-
er singer.
The late Mr.. MacNichol was a
! past exalted ruler of Augusta lodge,
! No. 964, b. r. 0. Eiks, and its pres
| cnt treasurer. He had long been
! most active in the Elks lodge work
and as rehearsal pianist for the an
| nual amateur productions by the
! lodge had contributed much to their