Part 33 (1/2)

_Mr. William Brady_, although numbered with those who have pa.s.sed away, should not be forgotten whenever the n.o.ble deeds of colored men are to be mentioned. He was an artist of the finest natural talent, and of varied musical acquirements of a high order of excellence. Mr.

Brady was very much esteemed as a composer, being the author of many fine pieces of music, such as quadrilles, polkas, waltzes, marches, and songs. He also essayed more elevated work with fine success, having been the composer of a musical service for the Episcopal Church, and a beautiful Christmas anthem. He died in March, 1854.

Among those of the gentler s.e.x in New York who have won much praise for their fine rendering of vocal music are _Miss Mary Williams_ and _Miss Blanche D. Was.h.i.+ngton_. They have occasionally sung in other cities at concerts, and have been favorably mentioned by the public journals.

_Mrs. V.A. Montgomery_ and _Miss Emma B. Magnon_ should have prominent mention here on account of their fine abilities displayed in piano-forte and organ performance. They both read music readily,--or ”at sight,” as we say,--and at present are engaged as organists in New-York churches.

_Miss J. Imogene Howard_, formerly of Boston, but now an esteemed teacher in one of the public schools of New-York City, deserves to be mentioned in this list. When in Boston this lady exhibited commendable zeal in the study of music, and at an early age was quite noticeable for good piano-forte performance. Miss Howard is a graduate of the Girls' High and Normal School of the city last mentioned.

A most encouraging indication of musical progress in the metropolis is the existence there of the _Philharmonic Society_, which was organized somewhat over two years ago. Two or three of its members are fine soloists, while others possess fair abilities. The music practised is instrumental, and all of a high order. The society is divided into two cla.s.ses, called the one junior, and the other senior. The juniors are the newer and less skilful members: these are required to take lessons of a competent teacher, and are not allowed to play with the senior cla.s.s until they attain to a certain degree of proficiency. At public performances, of course, only the seniors represent the society. The conductor (who is also president) is _Mr. P.H. Loveridge_; first violin, _Walter F. Craig_; solo cornet, _Elmore Bartelle_; flute, _Ph.

Williams_; _William Lewis_, violoncello. At present the society numbers about twenty members, all young men of intelligence and moral character; and it has an excellent library of music, and a fund in bank.

It is entirely unnecessary for the writer to say a word in praise of this enterprise, for its present and prospective good results will be readily perceived by all; nor need he, it is hoped, for the same reason, urge upon the young men of other cities the great importance of organizing similar societies.

_Miss Celestine O. Browne_ of Jamestown, N.Y., possesses fine ability as a pianist. She is thus mentioned by ”The Folio” of Boston, in the number for December, 1876: ”She is a fine pianist, very brilliant and showy as soloist and accompanist.” Again: the same journal, in the number for February, 1877, said of Miss Browne, ”A pianist of great merit. Her natural abilities have been well trained. She has a clear touch, and plays with a great deal of expression.” This lady has for more than a year been a valued member of the Hyers Sisters concert-troupe.

_Mr. Peter P. O'Fake_ is considered one of the most noticeable of the musicians of Newark, N.J.; which is no slight distinction, since in that city are to be found some of the first musicians of the country.

He was born there in 1820. His parents were also natives of Newark.

Mr. O'Fake is what is termed ”self-taught,” and has cultivated most industriously, against many disadvantages, the talents with which he was naturally endowed. He is a skilful, expressive performer on the violin (his specialty) and the flute. He has, of course, often performed in public. In 1847 he took a prominent part at a concert given by the notable Jullien Society of New York, playing on the violin _De Beriot's Sixth and Seventh Airs with Variations_. In 1848 he took position on one occasion as leader in the Newark-Theatre orchestra,--a rare distinction for one of his race, on account of the prevailing color-prejudice. In 1850 he performed in Connor's Band at Saratoga, playing at times the cornet and flute. These are some of the most notable of his public appearances. He is occasionally called upon to take part in concerts given by the various musical organizations of Newark, the accident of complexional difference but seldom serving to counteract the effects produced by his well-known musical abilities.

He often furnishes the music for receptions given at the homes of the _elite_ of Newark. Mr. O'Fake has composed, and his orchestra often performs to the great delight of all who hear it, a most bewitching piece of quadrille-music called ”The Sleigh-Ride,” in which he most ingeniously and naturally introduces the crack of the whip and the merry jingle of the sleigh-bells. At such times the dancers are excited to a high state of joyousness by the bewitching music, the latter being of a character so suggestive as to cause them to almost imagine themselves in the enjoyment of a veritable sleigh-ride. This composition has greatly added to the fame of the author.

Mr. O'Fake is also a fair vocalist,--singing baritone,--and has been director of the choir of one of the Episcopal churches in Newark since 1856. This choir frequently renders Dudley Buck's music, and that of others among the best composers, eliciting most favorable comments from the press.

_Misses Rosa and Malvina D. Sears_ are musical people of Newark, N.J., who deserve mention here.

_Philadelphia_ has, of course, many fine musicians. The most prominent vocalists are _Madam Brown_, _Mr. John Mills_, and _Mrs. Lucy Adger_; and the most prominent instrumentalists are _Miss M. Inez Ca.s.sey_, pianist, _F.J.R. Jones_, violinist, and _Edward Johnson_, violinist.

This city enjoys the honor of having been the home of _Mr. Frank Johnson_, and the place of organization of the celebrated bra.s.s band that bore his name. It has been the intention of the writer to give a somewhat extended sketch in this book of this famous impressario and his talented body of performers; but as yet he has not succeeded in obtaining the necessary materials. He will mention, however, briefly, that Mr. Johnson was a well-educated musician, very talented and enthusiastic, with fine powers for organization and leaders.h.i.+p. He was exceedingly skilful as a performer on the bugle. In his hand this instrument

”Became a trumpet, whence he blew Soul-animating strains: alas! too few.”

Besides, he played well several other instruments. He was very much esteemed, and was foremost in promoting in many ways the musical spirit: he was, in fact, the P.S. Gilmore of his day. His band attracted much attention all over the country for fine martial music.

Some time between the years 1839 and 1841 Mr. Johnson organized a select orchestra, with which he visited several of the princ.i.p.al cities of the country, ”astonis.h.i.+ng the natives” by a fine rendering of the best music in vogue at that time. Indeed, the novelty formed by such an organization,--all colored men,--its excellent playing, and the boldness of the enterprise, all combined to create a decided sensation wherever these sable troubadours appeared. It is said that sometimes, while the band was on this tour, many persons would doubt the ability of its members to read the music they were playing, believing that they performed ”by ear,” as it is called; nor could such persons be convinced of their error until a new piece of music--a piece not previously seen by them--was placed before the band, and by the same readily rendered from the printed page.

Mr. Johnson at one time visited England with his band, and gave concerts in all the princ.i.p.al cities, being received everywhere with the most demonstrative marks of favor. They were invited to play before Queen Victoria and her court. This n.o.ble-hearted sovereign was so highly pleased with the musical ability displayed by Mr. Johnson and the other members of the band, that she caused a handsome silver bugle to be presented to him in her name. Returning to this country with such a n.o.bly-won mark of honor, he became the centre of attraction, and thereafter, as a musician, easily maintained before the country a position of great popularity. At his funeral, which occurred in 1846, the bugle just alluded to was placed upon the coffin, and so borne to the grave, as a fitting emblem of one of the important victories he had won, as well as of the music-loving life he had led.

The memory of this gifted musician and indefatigable worker should long be kept green in the hearts of all the members of his race, and in those of his countrymen in general. For the former he of course performed a specially n.o.ble service in demonstrating so powerfully its capability for musical comprehension and for the scientific performance of music,--points which, strange to say, were much in dispute when he began his career; while in his well-nigh matchless ability as a musician, displayed in no selfish manner, but in a way that promoted in a high degree a general love for the elevating art of music, Frank Johnson proved himself an honor to the whole country, and one who should be long and gratefully remembered by all.

The band continued in existence, and was much in demand, for many years after the great leader died, retaining its old and honorable name, ”Frank Johnson's Band.” _Mr. Joseph G. Anderson_ next became director. This gentleman was a musician of most remarkable powers, both natural and acquired. He performed in a very skilful manner upon almost every instrument that was in use, reading music like one reads a book. In short, it has been said of him, that ”what he did not know of music was not worth knowing.” He, too, was a great organizer; and he showed himself, in many important respects, a fit successor of Johnson.

When, during the late war, the State of Pennsylvania was forming regiments, Mr. Anderson was kept busily employed for a long period organizing and instructing bra.s.s bands for many of these regiments.

With his great musical skill and experience, he proved to be indispensable at this time to the State, and won the brightest of laurels.

Under Mr. Anderson's leaders.h.i.+p, the band was occasionally engaged to go to distant parts of the country to play for gatherings of one kind and another. The writer well remembers when in 1852, on ”St. John's Day,” this fine corps of musicians came to Cincinnati. With ranks so deployed as to almost extend across Broadway Street, they moved in most soldierly manner up the same at the head of a Masonic order, playing indeed most ”soul-animating strains,” and winning the while the warm admiration of a vast throng of people that lined the sidewalks. Ah! we were very, very proud of them; so elated with their triumphal entry, and so inspirited by the n.o.ble music, that it seemed as though we could have followed them for days without yielding to fatigue.

Mr. Anderson died at Philadelphia in 1874.

The successor of ”Frank Johnson's Band” is called ”The Excelsior.” I am informed that the latter consists of a number of superior musicians.

”Madam Brown” was long regarded as the finest vocalist of her race in this country, while only a few of the other race could equal her.