Other voices were found at Happy Hills, but none so marvelous as Little Mother Maggie’s. A strong tenor developed from a boy’s high singing voice; and a contralto emerged from a Russian peasant child’s low-pitched voice. Both became well-known public soloists and some others who were trained that summer found success in chorus and choir work, later in life.
The band was the greatest source of attraction for the boys, however. The music master began instructions with ten pupils, each of whom, having had some teaching at school, could read notes. At first, the blare of instruments sounding from those young, hearty lungs, caused the audience to muffle their ears. As Uncle Ben remarked:
“Seems to me, a barnyard is on a strike!”
Everyone laughed and the master said: “Once more, now boys; and show Mr. Talmage how hens cackle, roosters crow, cows moo-oo, donkeys bray, and horses neigh—all together!”
And the blast that resulted made Uncle Ben run away!
But harmony came from this chaos as the boys practiced faithfully day after day, and before the band leader returned to New York he felt encouraged to keep up the class through the winter months. Uncle Ben hired an assembly room on the East Side and other boys joined the band, each one eager enough to buy his own instrument. Before the following spring, a band of forty boys could play quite well!
So much for the musical talent at Happy Hills!
A few days following the advent of the music teachers, Miss Martin called Uncle Ben’s attention to little Nelly Finn.
“Have you seen the child use pencil and paper?” asked Miss Martin.
“No. But don’t tell me we have a born artist among us,” laughed Uncle Ben.