Early German music in Philadelphia

by Robert Rutherford Drummond

CHAPTER VI.

Concert Music.

In a previous chapter it was shown that a kind of subscription concert was given as early as 1744, and although there is no record of public or private concerts being given for sometime after that, it is only natural to suppose that at least private chamber concerts were given.

We may be sure that bands were a feature at an early date, and no doubt added somewhat to the musical life of Philadelphia. It is not until 1755, however, that there is any mention of such an organization. However in that year we learn that a “Band of Musick” headed a procession of Masons on St. John’s Day.[143] How important this procession was considered by the onlookers is seen from the testimony of Daniel Fisher who writes in his diary:

“I should observe that on St. John the Baptist Day (June 24) there was the Greatest Procession of Free Masons to the Church and their Lodge, in Second Street that was ever seen in America. No less than 160 being in the Procession in Gloves, Aprons, etc., attended by a band of Music.”[144]

This band probably was not like those of the present time, but may have been satisfactory to the inhabitants of old Philadelphia. We may assume it was similar to a drum and fife corps, although this assumption may do injustice to the musical taste of that time. Anyway we have the year following a more detailed description of a procession including music.

“The Philadelphia Regiment consisting of upwards of 1,000 able-bodied men after being reviewed and performing the Manual Exercises [went] thro’ the Town in Three Grand Divisions ... with Hautboys and Fifes in Ranks ... [and] Drums between the third and fourth Ranks.”[145]

This is certainly a small beginning but the band had come to stay and apparently was popular, and probably was used in most processions and public celebrations. After the victory at Louisburg fireworks were displayed in Philadelphia and a performance of a “Band of Music playing Britons strike home.”[146]

At a later date bands of the British regiments stationed in Philadelphia, aided at the public commencements of the “College and Charity School”[147] now the University of Pennsylvania.

The year 1757 is very important in the history of music in Philadelphia. We have now the “first public concerts on record,” says O. G. Sonneck.[148] The advertisement runs: