Miss Celestine O. Browne of Jamestown, N.Y., possesses fine ability as a pianist. She is thus mentioned by "The Folio" of Boston, in the number for December, 1876: "She is a fine pianist, very brilliant and showy as soloist and accompanist." Again: the same journal, in the number for February, 1877, said of Miss Browne, "A pianist of great merit. Her natural abilities have been well trained. She has a clear touch, and plays with a great deal of expression." This lady has for more than a year been a valued member of the Hyers Sisters concert-troupe.
Mr. Peter P. O'Fake is considered one of the most noticeable of the musicians of Newark, N.J.; which is no slight distinction, since in that city are to be found some of the first musicians of the country. He was born there in 1820. His parents were also natives of Newark. Mr. O'Fake is what is termed "self-taught," and has cultivated most industriously, against many disadvantages, the talents with which he was naturally endowed. He is a skilful, expressive performer on the violin (his specialty) and the flute. He has, of course, often performed in public. In 1847 he took a prominent part at a concert given by the notable Jullien Society of New York, playing on the violin De Beriot's Sixth and Seventh Airs with Variations. In 1848 he took position on one occasion as leader in the Newark-Theatre orchestra,—a rare distinction for one of his race, on account of the prevailing color-prejudice. In 1850 he performed in Connor's Band at Saratoga, playing at times the cornet and flute. These are some of the most notable of his public appearances. He is occasionally called upon to take part in concerts given by the various musical organizations of Newark, the accident of complexional difference but seldom serving to counteract the effects produced by his well-known musical abilities. He often furnishes the music for receptions given at the homes of the élite of Newark. Mr. O'Fake has composed, and his orchestra often performs to the great delight of all who hear it, a most bewitching piece of quadrille-music called "The Sleigh-Ride," in which he most ingeniously and naturally introduces the crack of the whip and the merry jingle of the sleigh-bells. At such times the dancers are excited to a high state of joyousness by the bewitching music, the latter being of a character so suggestive as to cause them to almost imagine themselves in the enjoyment of a veritable sleigh-ride. This composition has greatly added to the fame of the author.
Mr. O'Fake is also a fair vocalist,—singing baritone,—and has been director of the choir of one of the Episcopal churches in Newark since 1856. This choir frequently renders Dudley Buck's music, and that of others among the best composers, eliciting most favorable comments from the press.
Misses Rosa and Malvina D. Sears are musical people of Newark, N.J., who deserve mention here.
Philadelphia has, of course, many fine musicians. The most prominent vocalists are Madam Brown, Mr. John Mills, and Mrs. Lucy Adger; and the most prominent instrumentalists are Miss M. Inez Cassey, pianist, F.J.R. Jones, violinist, and Edward Johnson, violinist.
This city enjoys the honor of having been the home of Mr. Frank Johnson, and the place of organization of the celebrated brass band that bore his name. It has been the intention of the writer to give a somewhat extended sketch in this book of this famous impressario and his talented body of performers; but as yet he has not succeeded in obtaining the necessary materials. He will mention, however, briefly, that Mr. Johnson was a well-educated musician, very talented and enthusiastic, with fine powers for organization and leadership. He was exceedingly skilful as a performer on the bugle. In his hand this instrument
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"Became a trumpet, whence he blew Soul-animating strains: alas! too few." |
Besides, he played well several other instruments. He was very much esteemed, and was foremost in promoting in many ways the musical spirit: he was, in fact, the P.S. Gilmore of his day. His band attracted much attention all over the country for fine martial music.
Some time between the years 1839 and 1841 Mr. Johnson organized a select orchestra, with which he visited several of the principal cities of the country, "astonishing the natives" by a fine rendering of the best music in vogue at that time. Indeed, the novelty formed by such an organization,—all colored men,—its excellent playing, and the boldness of the enterprise, all combined to create a decided sensation wherever these sable troubadours appeared. It is said that sometimes, while the band was on this tour, many persons would doubt the ability of its members to read the music they were playing, believing that they performed "by ear," as it is called; nor could such persons be convinced of their error until a new piece of music—a piece not previously seen by them—was placed before the band, and by the same readily rendered from the printed page.
Mr. Johnson at one time visited England with his band, and gave concerts in all the principal cities, being received everywhere with the most demonstrative marks of favor. They were invited to play before Queen Victoria and her court. This noble-hearted sovereign was so highly pleased with the musical ability displayed by Mr. Johnson and the other members of the band, that she caused a handsome silver bugle to be presented to him in her name. Returning to this country with such a nobly-won mark of honor, he became the centre of attraction, and thereafter, as a musician, easily maintained before the country a position of great popularity. At his funeral, which occurred in 1846, the bugle just alluded to was placed upon the coffin, and so borne to the grave, as a fitting emblem of one of the important victories he had won, as well as of the music-loving life he had led.