Local music history — Henry Crandall music patron

Henry Crandall, who co-founded Crandall Public Library in 1892, also was a benefactor of youth music.

On Christmas 1887, each choir boy at Church of the Messiah Episcopal, where Crandall worshipped, received a bank book with an unspecified deposit, as a gift from Crandall.

“On the front page of the books were written some fatherly, as well as timely, words of advice, which evidenced the interest taken by the gentleman in the welfare of young vocalists,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Jan. 2, 1888.

This was more than a decade before Crandall established his Boy’s Savings Club, in which he set up bank accounts for boys to encourage savings.

Following is more music news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

• “Take Me Back to Old St. Augustine” was the opening selection of the Strand Theatre Orchestra for film screenings at the Hudson Falls theater the week of March 5, 1923.

The tune was the theme song of the upcoming celebration at Florida in April of the 400th anniversary of the landing of Ponce de Leon in 1523.

“The words of this song were written by Herbert Felkel, the owner of St. Augustine’s leading newspaper, and the music was written by (band leader) Francesco Colasanto,” The Post-Star reported.

C. E. Pond of Glens Falls, who formerly performed in Colasanto’s band, arranged the musical score for the theater orchestra.

• On March 1, 1947, The Post-Star reported that freshman Florence Adams of Glens Falls was a member of the Women’s Glee Club at Bucknell University.
• On March 3, 1947, The Post-Star reported that Eleanor Aubrey of Hudson Falls, on cello, Harold B. Weaver of Glens Falls, on violin, and L. David Fisher of Hudson Falls, on tuba, were members of the 70-piece Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra.

Quotable:

• “At the early service in St. Mary’s Church yesterday, the Sunday School choir sang a New Year’s hymn, the words and music of which were very pleasing.” — The Morning Star, Jan.2, 1888

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