New England Conservatory of Music - Neume Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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I0 THE NEUME 1905 Progress of the Conservatory By H. N. REDMAN AL O be so devoted to an ideal that its realization becomes the chief object of an individual's life is, indeed, true evidence of that strange power which manifests itself in all leaders of a nation. The successful development of any enterprise demands from its creator strength of purpose, unconquerable will, and a faith which rebuilds after every defeat. The New England Conservatory of Music, incorporated in 1870 by a special act of the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts, claims 1853 as the date of its origin, since in that year its founder, Dr. Eben Tourjee, first introduced into America the conservatory system of musical instruction. Dr. Tourjee had for some time been impressed with the value of the class system as it existed in the foreign music schools, and his earliest experiments were made in Providence, R. I., these resulting in the Providence Conser- vatory of Music. This institution having outgrown its environment was removed to .Boston in 1867. Rooms were secured in Music Hallg the public became interested in the new school, and three years later it was incorporated under the present name. E The attendance became large enough to compel the removal of the Conservatory to more commodious quarters, and as Dr. Tourjee found it advisable to obtain a building suitable for teaching purposes, as well as affording enough room for a home department for the accommodation of the young women students coming from all parts of the country, in 1882 he secured the large building on Franklin Square, then known as the St. James Hotel, and for twenty years it was the home of the institution. In 1885 Dr. Tourjee, finding the increased responsibilities of his enter- prise too great for him to bear alone, a Board of Trustees, composed of representative men of Boston, was organized, and thereafter this Board managed its affairs. The founder of the institution was given the musical directorship for life. Fate seems at times most unrelenting in her cruelty, heartlessness, and ingratitude. To-day we may well stand with uncovered head before the bust of this man, who, because of his great art-love, counted

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I2 THE NEUME 1905 not the cost of the faith within him, but labored unceasingly for the achieve- ment of a glorious ideal. Failing health caused Dr. Tourjee to voluntarily withdraw from the directorship, and Mr. Carl Faelten became the acting director. The death of Dr. Tourjee occurred April 12, 1891, and the following month Mr. Faelten was elected to the office of musical director, from which office he resigned in June, 1897. Mr. George W. Chadwick, for many years a member of the Faculty, and widely known in both this country and Europe as a leading American composer, was selected by the Board of Trustees to be both the director of the Conservatory and the head of the composition department. Mr. Chad- wick entered upon his new duties by entirely re-organizing the musical departments of the institution. A higher grade of work was required, and students expecting to become graduates realized the value of the changes made, and the general public became aware, by means of the various. recitals, opera performances, and orchestral concerts, that a new period had arrived in the development of the Conservatory. For some time it had been apparent that eventually the Conservatory must erect a building which would fully serve its purpose. The school year 1902-1903 will remain the most important period in the later devel- opment of the institution. It is not needful at this time to describe the splendid structure, which will ever stand a noble monument to the art it represents, to its founder, and to the many persons who have been and are still deeply interested in the welfare of our beloved Conservatory. Then may we serve well our day and generation, and not forgetful of those who- labored so gloriously for the people, press onward, remembering that the end crowns the work.