Evening star., 1944-02-20
BY John Clagett Proctor

oy OOAAA SAoSSVV AoSGOA
The people Of Washington have
always been ardent lovers Of music, and
although they may not always have
been liberal supporters Of professional
musical organizations, in many ways
amateur groups have demonstrated
their taste equally for instrumental
music as we'll as for voice culture, and
It would be hard to say just when a
club for the practicing of one or both
of these fascinating branches Of amuse-
ment did not exist in this city.
Indeed, many will recall as once
f7ourishing here in bygone days the
Philharmonic Society, Washington
Masonic Choir, Georgetown Masonic
Choir, Amphion Choir Association. B. B.
Choir Association, Germania Maenner-
chor, Washington operate Association,
Amphion Glee Club, Arion Singing
Society, Choral Society, Damrosch
Society, the Washington Saengerbund
and many others of more recent date.
1866, the Philharmonic Society
was formed with about 50 members
''St. Paul" was their first oratorio,
given on March 7, Of that year On
December 25 following The Messiah"
conducted by DR.. J. P. Caulfield was
rendered, the sopranos being Mrs Britts
end Miss Pauline C. Ever. The contralto
was Mrs. J. P. Caulfeld, the tenor
Arthur Mathison and the baritone
l.. V. Cannon.
Robert Ball was president of the
Washington Masonic Choir in 1879;
William H. Browne was vice president,
j, F. Patterson secretary, B. F. Lloyd
treasurer and E. Holmes leader.
The Georgetown Masonic Choir then
had as president, Edward H. Spang;
H, Augustus Pond, musical director;
c. F. ShekeI, secretary; Wolfe Nord-
linger, treasurer, and H. A. Gross,
organist and second leader.
The Amphion Glee Association met
at 1908 Pennsylvania avenue Sc, and
had as president and director j. Will
Cross; M. j. Touhy, vice president;
Henry Kahlert, treasurer, and A. Nc
Kenzie, secretary.
Henry King, jr., was president of the
B. B. Choir Association, and L. Stern,
leader, and the meetings were held every
Sunday afternoon and Wednesday eve
ming at Baier's Hall, Eighth and E
streets NV.
In 1885 Joseph Colignon was presi-
dent Of the Germania Maennerchor, the
other officers being Frederick Duehring,
secretary; Adam Koehler, treasurer, and
Emile Mori, leader.
The Washington Operatic Association,
which was then in existence, had E. B.
Hay as presiding officer. w. H. Daniel,
probably a son of Prof. Joseph H.
Daniel, who taught vocal music in the
public schools for many years, was vice
president, L. j. Myers secretary and
DR.. Joseph Jouy financial secretary. The
celebrated march king, John Phillip
Sousa. was musical director; Miss Hattie
L. Rlchey, later a well-known soprano.
was librarian, and had as assistant
E. J. Whipple. w. H. Hazard was
pianist and w. H. Fuller custodian.
The Arion Singing Society met at 430
Eighth street NV. August Schmidt was
president, Henry Wassmen vice presi-
dent. Matthew Siebert financial secre-
tary r. Maui, recording and correspond
Ing secretary, William Berger treasurer.
H. Daiker, 1r, librarian; A. Rastaetter
color bearer and Emil Holer leader.
The Damrosch Society met at 1924
street NV. George s. Cooper was
president, William M Boomer vice presi-
dent. James G. Taylor, for many years
employed at the Smithsonian Institution,
was secretary. George Scharf was treas
urer, E. H. Parry librarian, Edmund
A. Varella director and Archibald
Olmstead accompanist.
Washington Saeneerbund
As to instrumental music. the United
States Marine Band quite probably laid
the foundation for all that has been
accomplished locally for band and
orchestral music. But just when the
first singing society began here the
writer is unable to say, though the
Washington Saengerbund is known to
have been founded here on April 20,
1851, or SO years ago.
1t was organized in the old German
Hall that stood for many years at COG
Eleventh street NV, and which was
erected in l846. It's record was one
worthy of the traditions of the District,
and to repeat what The Star said in
1891, would be just as fitting now as
1t ever was. 1t was this:
A musical society which has
clung to existence with a persistency
thoroughly characteristic of the Nation
whence the Washington Saengerbund
derived its membership. Other societies
that had dedicated themselves to vocal
endeavor have come and gone, and in
their places new ones have sprung
up, but the Washington Saengerbund
fourishes to an extent not known in its
previous history"
Its first director was Charles Walter
and the other officers of the association
were: George Bremen, president; Her.
man Blau, secretary, and Anton Eberly,
treasurer. The active members were
Fred Schmidt, L. Streb, A. Kiesecker,
G. Einof, j. Koebel, Julius Veidt,
August Sellhausen, r. Hausam, Andrew