Wittenberg University - Witt Yearbook (Springfield, OH)

Page 23 text:

N THE EARLY ’90s quite a stir was made at Wittenberg by the ar- rival at the Dorm of the son of a distinguished artist. The rumor grew apace that he not only inherited his father’s gift as a painter but was also an expert performer upon the flute. As time went on and curiosity and expectation had reached their height this talented young man was announced as flute soloist at a concert to be given at the First Lutheran Church. The church was packed for the occasion and the audience sat breathless when the artist in faultless evening dress, not then so common in Springfield, came forward to make his bow and professionally toyed with the keys of his instrument while the prelude to his solo was being played upon the piano. The silence of the audience became more and more intense as the in- troduction neared its end and all expected to be held by the spell of the first liquid birdlike tone of the flute. But in the awful stillness only a breathy p pfi was heard. The artist glared at his fine accompanist as though she had been at fault. Silence if possible grew more silent as the prelude was repeated. Again only p —pfi-—came forth. Then, blushing crimson, the artist addressed the audience as follows: “Ladies and gentlemen, you will really have to excuse me this evening. My mouth is entirely devoid of spit. Probably no audience ever enjoyed a flute solo so much. The artist has since made good as a painter and is at the present time one of the foremost baritones of America, but we have never heard of his making another public appearance as a flutist. The first home of Wittenberg College was the east portion of the present Myers Hall. Here the students lived and had all their activities. Here they recited to some very capable men. In that day the professors needed to be versatile, there were so few of them and so many subjects to cover.