Mount Holyoke College - Llamarada Yearbook (South Hadley, MA)

Page 9 text:

Lli N- 1. d m e lomorod 44 -A Aa., Zifhr Mizinrg uf will' Eepartmrnt nf Munir REVIOUS to the beginning, over seventy-five years ago, when Mary Lyon's plans lived only in her mind and heart, she wrote:- 1 found it needed grace to restrain a rising murmur ..,....... when passing near the music hall last summer. I have sometimes felt that I would have given Five months of my time when I was under twenty, and defrayed my expenses, difficult as it was to find time or money, could l have enjoyed thru j:riviZege.r. After the founding of the Seminary it was one of Miss Lyor1's aims to give all her Holyoke girls, who could sing, these privilegesf, lt is interesting to trace in the catalogues the development from almost nothing to a full-fledged Department of Music. ln the second catalogue, meager as it is with its twelve tiny pages, room is found to state that those who have attended to instrumental music may have the use of a piano a few hours in each week. The choral training was carried on by assistant pupils during the first twenty- five years of Seminary life. In I862 came the first real music teacher, Miss liliza Wilder. Her aim was to raise the standard of vocal music. For the first time private instruction was provided for those who wished, and, on anniversary occa- sions, entertainments were given by her classes. Yet even now there were no lessons in instrumental music, though use of pianos was still freely given. Up to 1879, in fact, the piano was taught only in exceptional cases. When Miss Steele came, in 1875, with her enthusiasm and original ideas, we see the beginnings of our choirs and Glee Club. During the first two years of her stay there was no regular club, but thirty members of the large chorus of two hundred voices sang at public exercises. Two years later a college glee club was organized under the name of Semi-chorus, with the purpose chiefly of giving open-air concerts on the campus in summer. Great were the improvements and additions of 1879,-at this time the uric- partmenti' increased from one to two members, though one was only an assistant pupil. Now, too, those who wish to make instrumental music a specialty can have instruction at the rate of 515.00 for twenty lessons, not including the piano, Others may use pianos for practice at moderate terms. ln this year, also, the custom arose of having occasional concerts given by professional musicians. 6

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Y '-1 L-- ' lomeir , A- The Seminary acquired its first Music Building three years later. The old Dwight homestead, purchased in 1882, was used chiefly for studios and music rooms. A growing need for private instruction was met by teachers who had studied in conservatories in this country and in Germany. In I8Q2 a Department of Music was formally established under the direction of Dr. Benjamin C. Blodgett of Northampton. As Dr. Blodgett came to us from the Smith College School of Music it was impossible for him to devote much of his time to our college. He played for singing on the occasional public holidays, at recitals and concerts, but was not able to give his personal attention to the students. In 1894 the Music Department passed into the hands of Professor Alfred M. Fletcher. Under his direction a college choir was organized to sing anthems and choruses on Founder's and Commencement Days, and at occasional vesper services which were held during the next five years. Concerts were given by cele- brated quartettes, sextettes and individual musicians, and recitals by Professor Hammond, on invitation to his church, in Holyoke. In 1897 the chapel organ was given by Mr. Whiting. ln 1899 Professor Hammond was made head of the Music Department. The rapid growth begun under Professor Fletcher has continued under Professor Hammond until now the department has a modern, well-equipped Music Building and a competent staff of ten members, offering numerous courses in theory and practice. The influence of the department is felt in Professor Hammond's organ recitals and his half hour after Vespersg in the Junior and Vesper Choirs, the musical clubs and student recitalsg and in valuable lectures and concerts. But we have not wholly achieved, there is yet something for which to work,-to convince the faculty that, since success in music means earnest application and good hard work, a major in music should be allowed. O 0 n n ' ' T- ' Iiavfaflf- :SQ . af - 16.595 n' Us OP 'f'lh':3a,5q9'Q'i ay, 'f hi' X f gufo' .1ffQ., ogy Qssgbio s. 1, :i 9.85: ogg! 5.15-gg! ig A M l 55 up I 41 I -Q. X f l rs' 'S f. ' f' ' C 1.4.4 . ' is ,f .T-. T '71- YWHM 'gl 'ini' 6-iiiildfr XJ ll lst. I' , 1, I 1, 7