FOREWORD
This book has been written for friends and musical associates of more than half a century.
The author's life has been a busy one, often with events of public import, and so it may be that this volume has value as history. Those who should know have so affirmed.
It is hoped that old-time Californians will find the book good reading. The later generations of students and musicians will be interested in the story of one who helped to prepare the way for them.
The narrative tells somewhat of the Christian ministry of a noble father, of the writer's career as a public singer and of reminiscences of many associated musicians, efficient factors in the development of music in California to the high place it holds today.
Some mention is made of distinguished divines and men of note in the professions and in business. The part taken by the author in political campaigns and in the activities of the Grand Army of the Republic will appeal to patriots.
Some chapters on the singing voice and its cultivation are the fruitage of a wide experience of many years. A list of pupils for three decades is added.
The illustrations have been at once a labor of love and an extravagance of money cost, but it is believed that the reader will find in that feature alone justification for the publication.
[THE TEXT]
| Antecedents and Childhood | [1] |
| Our Trip to California via the Isthmus and Early Days There. First Church Choir in Stockton | [13] |
| Stockton in the Fifties. Benicia Seminary. Genesis of Mills College. Distinguished Pioneers. Marriage | [33] |
| How I Made the First Bear Flag in California | [43] |
| Boston. Dedham Choir, 1858. The Civil War. Musicians. Return to California. Santa Cruz | [48] |
| Music in Santa Cruz in the Sixties. Return to San Francisco. How and Why I Became a Dressmaker. Opera. Music in San Francisco in the Seventies | [59] |
| Lady of Lyons Given for the Fire Engine Fund, Santa Cruz. Flag-Raising at Gilroy Hot Springs. Visalia Concerts | [69] |
| On the Road with Dick Kohler, Mr. Vivian, Walter Campbell, Mr. Wand and Charles Atkins | [75] |
| Early Music and Music Houses. Musical Instrument Makers. Old-Time Singers | [83] |
| As a Church Choir Singer in Cincinnati, Stockton, Benicia, Dedham, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Bernardino and Oakland. Rev. Starr King, Howard Dow, Henry Clay Barnabee, Carl Zerrahn, J.C.D. Parker, Carlotta and Adelina Patti, Jenny Lind, Joe Maguire, Georgiana Leach, Sam Mayer, Harry Gates | [92] |
| Golden Jubilee of Song Service, June 12, 1896 | [108] |
| Camilla Urso's Festival, 1873. Madame Anna Bishop, The Loring Club, Alfred Wilkie, Frank Gilder, D.P. Hughes, Ben Clark | [112] |
| St. Patrick's, St. Mary's, St. Ignatius' Cathedrals. Episcopal and Jewish Music. J.H. Dohrmann. The Bianchis | [123] |
| Great Musical Festival in Aid of the Mercantile Library, 1878. At Gilroy Springs | [130] |
| Authors' Carnival, 1880, President Hayes and General Sherman Present | [137] |
| Vacation Episodes at Deer Park, July 4, 1893 | [145] |
| In Oakland. Sad Accident. With Brush and Easel. Kind Friends | [152] |
| Party at Dr. J.M. Shannon's Home in 1907 | [157] |
| Lee Tung Foo | [161] |
| What I Know of the Voice and of Teaching | [167] |
| Tremolo | [172] |
| More About the Voice | [179] |
| Political Campaigning. Work as a Patriot on National Holidays and with the Grand Army of the Republic. Flag Raising at Monterey | [183] |
| Repertoire and Other Data. Distinguished Musicians and Singers of the Last Century | [203] |
| Reminiscences of Early California Musicians and Singers | [216] |
| Reminiscences of Later California Musicians and Singers | [227] |
| With My Pupils | [248] |
| A List of My Pupils | [262] |