Local music history — Brass music at church

Brass music in Washington County in the late 19th century was not limited to angels.

“The Hooper brass band will render selections in front of the (Fort Edward) Baptist Church next Tuesday evening, after which a vocal concert will be given in the church. This is the first opportunity our people will have of hearing the band,” The Morning Star reported on March 15, 1888.

Elsewhere in Washington County, First Presbyterian Church of Salem hired Benjamin Haggart as cornet soloist, broadening a vibrant music program, The Granville Sentinel reported on Oct. 9, 1891.

“The choir is composed of as good talent as there is in the town. The organist, Miss Lizzie Lambert, is continued. There is some talk of taking out the galleries, moving the pipe organ, and making other improvements.”

In other music news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• On March 14, 1947, The Post-Star reported that Maurice Whitney, music director at Glens Falls High School, was hired for the faculty of a new summer music camp in Oneida County set to open in June.

“The Otter Lake Hotel, well-known central Adirondacks hostelry, which will become the site of the music camp this year, was acquired a few weeks ago to house the students and faculty of this new camp program, the first of its kind in central New York.”

• On March 16, 1923, The Post-Star reported that tenor Charles Pollard and bass Cecil Wright, both of Glens Falls, were among soloists for the upcoming performance of “Sixth Beatitude” by Caesar Franck at the Vassar College Festival of Easter Music.
• On March 20, 1923, The Post-Star reported Oscar Seagle and students, who spent the winter at Nice, France, were scheduled to land in the United States April 1.

Seagle and Jean de Reszke decided to continue the experience as an annual winter singing school at Nice.

• On March 20, 1923, The Post-Star reported that the Glens Falls Woman’s Club Lyceum would present contralto soloist Frieda Klink that evening in concert at First Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Lucius Ades would accompany Klink on piano and perform several piano solos.

Click here to read my most recent previous Local Music History post.