Commencing with Boston, then, I first mention Miss Rachel M. Washington, a lady of fine artistic qualities, thoroughly educated in music, performing in finished, classical style on the piano-forte and organ, and who is a most accomplished teacher of those instruments and of harmony. In the last-mentioned department of music she a few years ago graduated, receiving the valuable diploma of the New-England Conservatory at Boston. Many of the most pleasing amateurs of Boston and vicinity received their first instructions in music from Miss Washington. Hers is a musical family, as her two sisters and brother are each possessed of nice musical taste and education. The subject of this notice early awakened their interest, and directed their studies. It is gratefully acknowledged, too, that to Miss Washington's earnest efforts, more than to those of any other person in Boston, is due that love for and proficiency in musical art so noticeable in certain circles of that city. From what I have learned of this artist's history from my own observation and otherwise, I am convinced that its full recital here would add much to the interest and value of this book. But I am prevented from doing this by her own earnest request, conveyed in language which, although, as I think, a trifle too gloomy, yet shows that she is animated by the most elevated ideas concerning the beautiful art of which she is so noble an exponent. I cannot forbear quoting a part of her excellent letter, in which she says,—
"Now a word about my own musical life.... Perhaps I have had much success, and, like many others, many failures. My life has been one of persevering struggle to attain to a high degree of musical knowledge, and, through this, to assist in the elevation of my race. If I have been successful in any degree in helping to lay the foundation of future or present success, in awakening a love for the beautiful in musical art, or in kindling an ardent desire and aspiration for that which elevates and ennobles, removes the harshness of and dignifies our natures, then I am glad that I have not sown in vain, though another shall reap the harvest.
"A part of the reward for all these years of arduous toil has been the recognition of talent by those of the more favored race, as well as the appreciation and kindness shown me by those with whom I am identified....
"As I read the lives of the great composers, and think of their sacred devotion to the art dearer to them than their own lives, I feel anxious for the time to come in our history when a child like Mozart shall be born with soul full of bright melodies; or a Beethoven, with his depth and tenderness of feeling; or a Handel, lifting us above this earth until we shall hear the multitude of voices joining in one vast song,—'Alleluia! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.' Nor is this impossible. Our history, it seems to me, has but just begun. All the past is but sorrow and gloom, with here and there a bright ray to bid us hope.... I hope they [the colored youth of the country] will early develop a love and taste for the beautiful in musical art; that soon we shall be proud to mention those whose names through their works shall be immortal."
Miss Washington has long been the organist of the Twelfth Baptist Church, Boston, as well as the directress of its choir. She is a lady of fine general culture and Christian character, and has many times been the recipient of public testimonials, and of complimentary notices from the New-England press.
Mrs. Dr. C.N. Miller (née Ariana Cooley) was for a long time the leading soprano-singer of Rev. L.A. Grimes's church. She has been long and favorably known in Boston musical circles as a very pleasing vocalist, possessing a pure, rich voice of great range, and highly cultivated. She renders with fine expression the best music. Her repertoire of songs is quite extensive, and she has often been complimented by the press. "The Boston Globe" of March 31, 1876, alluding to her singing at a public concert, said, "She is the possessor of a well-cultivated voice of natural sweetness." Mrs. Miller was until recently a valued member of the Tremont-Temple choir, so noticeable for excellent singing. She is now a member of the Berkeley-street Church quartet.
Mrs. P.A. Glover and Mrs. Hester Jeffreys, who will be better known by their maiden names,—Phebe A. and Hester Whitehouse,—possess voices of rare natural beauty considerably cultivated. These sisters, had they so chosen, could have long since become public singers of much prominence; since their rich vocal gifts are supplemented by a fine knowledge of music, to which are added also very graceful, winning manners. As it is, they have often delighted their hearers in private circles by their rendering of some of the choicest music of the day. They have occasionally appeared in public, always to the acceptance of large audiences. These ladies inherit their musical talents from their mother, who possessed a voice of more than ordinary range and sweetness.
Mrs. Dr. G.F. Grant (née Georgina Smith), formerly the efficient organist of the North Russell-street Church, has been regarded as a most pleasing vocalist, possessing a very pure, sweet soprano-voice. She was for some time a pupil of the New-England Conservatory of Music; and on more than one occasion was chosen to represent at its quarterly concerts, before large and cultivated audiences in Music Hall, the system taught and fine progress made by the attendants of that institution. On such occasions, her naïveté, her graceful, handsome stage-appearance, and expressive rendering, with voice of bird-like purity, of some of the best cavatina music, always elicited the most enthusiastic plaudits and recalls. The writer was fortunately present on one of these occasions, and remembers with much satisfaction the delight he felt, not only in hearing this lady's melodious voice himself, but in witnessing its charming effect on an audience of nearly four thousand people, representing generally Boston's best culture. Her reception really amounted to an ovation. The event was a most remarkable one, and, exhibiting as it so fully did the power of art to scatter all the prejudices of race or caste, was most instructive and re-assuring.
Of her appearance at one of the concerts just mentioned "The Boston Globe" thus spoke:—
... "Miss Smith, a fine-looking young lady, achieved a like success in all her numbers and in fine presence on the stage, and in her simple, unobtrusive manner, winning the sympathies of the audience."