FIRST CONCERT

OF THE

Since their return from Great Britain.

ENGLISH AND SCOTCH CRITICISMS.

"I never so enjoyed music."—Rev. C. H. Spurgeon.

"They have beautiful voices."—*London Graphic*.

"Their voices are clear, rich and highly cultivated."—*London Daily News*.

"The troupe sing with a pathos, a harmony and expression which is quite touching."—*London Journal*.

"There is something inexpressibly touching in their wonderfully sweet, round, bell voices."—*Rev. Geo. MacDonald*.

"If, in brief, we might give a faint idea of what it is utterly impossible to depict, we would adopt three words, soft, sweet, simple."—*London Rock*.

Mr. Gladstone, while Prime Minister of England, honored them with a complimentary breakfast and listened to their songs, as Newman Hall writes, "with rapt enthusiastic attention, saying, Isn't it wonderful? I never heard anything like it."

"As to the manner of their singing it must be heard before if can be realized. Like the Swedish melodies of Jenny Lind, it gives a new musical idea. It has been well remarked that in some respects it disarms criticism, in others it may be truly said that it almost defies it. It was beautifully described by a simple Highland girl — 'It filled my whole heart.' Such singing (in which the artistic is lost in the natural) can only be the result of the most careful training. The richness and purity of tone, both in melody and harmony, the contrast of light and shade, the varieties of genialness and grandeur in expression, and the exquisite refinement of the piano, as contrasted with the power of the forte, fill us with delight, and at the same time make us feel how strange it is that these unpretending singers should come over here to teach us what is the true refinement of music, make us feel its moral and religious power."

MR. COLIN BROWN,

*Ewing Lecturer on Music, Andersonian University, Glasgow.*

THE JUBILEE SINGERS are students from Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn. This is one of seven Chartered Institutions which have been planted, and are fostered by the AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION in the South, designed especially for the Christian Education of the five millions who were set free by the war. The other six are Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Va.; Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga.; Berea College, Berea, Ky.; Tougaloo University, Tougaloo, Miss.; Talladega College, Talladega, Ala.; and Straight University, New Orleans, La. Institutions having such a wide scope of work and requiring large buildings, costly libraries and apparatus, and large endowments, cannot have their growth adequately provided for from the ordinary income of a Benevolent Society. Special agencies always have to be provided, and usually the patronage of the wealthy secured.

## PROBABLY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD
A UNIVERSITY IS BEING BUILT UP BY THE SONGS
OF A COMPANY OF ITS STUDENTS.

The Jubilee Singers left Nashville in the Fall of 1871, when the very existence of Fisk University was in peril for the lack of funds to purchase a suitable sight and erect permanent buildings. They were led by Geo. L. White, the Treasurer, who had been connected with the Institution from the first opening in 1865, and who felt that if he could interpret in the singing of these students the spiritual and religious power of the songs of this race, the hearts of the most cultured Christian people everywhere would be touched, and sympathy and aid would be liberally bestowed. They returned to Nashville in the summer of 1874, having given two seasons of Concerts in the United States and one in Great Britain. The best evidence of the appreciative and enthusiastic welcome given in both countries is the fact that the net result for Fisk University was over $90,000. Of this sum about $2,500 was specially for library and apparatus; with the balance a most beautiful¹ and commanding site of twenty-five acres has been purchased, and Jubilee Hall is being built, and the grounds fenced and improved. The building will be ready so that the school will move to its new location at the opening of the next school year.

## THE OBJECT OF THE SECOND CAMPAIGN

Is to raise at least $100,000 more, to complete the furnishing of the building, and especially to begin the endowment of the University. The Singers expect to give better Concerts than ever before, and to labor earnestly and conscientiously to win success. A business management has been provided entirely within the Association, and all help given by friends will be purely to the benefit of the University. We appreciate the fact that past success has been due largely to the voluntary, earnest and sympathizing help of ministers, editors and leading men, both in public and private life, and we confidently bespeak for the Singers and their mission the same hearty cooperation in their future work.

Communications for the Jubilee Singers can be addressed to the business manager, Rev. C. G. Fairchild, at these rooms.

GEO. WHIPPLE, (Cor. Secretaries.)

M. E. STRIEBY, (Field Secretary.)

E. M. CRAVATH, Field Secretary.

Rooms A. M. A., 56 Reade St., N. Y., Feb. 1875.

Metropolitan Print, Herald Building, 218 Broadway, New York.