A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Philadelphia

by William Barclay Squire

PHILADELPHIA is remarkable among the cities of the United States for its vigorous musical life. No less than sixty-five societies for the active practice of music exist within its precincts. The oldest of these, the Musical Fund Society, was established on February 29, 1820. In 1823 the society built a hall for its meetings, and about seven years later an academy was ipened for musical instruction. After having given, in the course of thirty years, about 100 concerts, in which nearly all the best European and American artists took part, increased comjetition in musical affairs compelled the society to alter its original system, but for the last 15 years its funds have been gradually accumulating, so that a capital has now been secured with which it is hoped a permanent school of music will eventually be established. In the 60 years of its existence the society has given freely from its funds to the relief of its professional members and their families, and to provide for their children after the death of their parents. The society has accumulated a considerable library of vocal and orchestral scores, etc. At present there are 50 members, 14 of whom are professional musicians.

In addition to the above, at the end of this article will be found a list^[1] of musical societies (with the names of their conductors) which are now in existence in Philadelphia. Of these the Orpheus Club, a choral society for men's voices, was organised in August 1872, and has a limited membership of 30 active and 300 associate and subscribing members. The Cecilian Society was organised May 25, 1875, and has an active mem bership of about 400. The Beethoven Society was founded in 1869.

The university of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, has established a Faculty of Music, and confers degrees on students who attend its lectures and pass an examination in harmony, counterpoint, and composition. Lectures and instruction are given by the Professor of Music (Mr. H. A. Clarke) who has also organised an orchestra and a glee-club, composed of the undergraduate students.

There are several private musical academies at Philadelphia. The principal of these is the Philadelphia Musical Academy (President, Mme. Emma Seller), which has a regular attendance of over 100 pupils.

MUSICAL SOCIETIES IN PHILADELPHIA

Abt Society. H. A. Clarke.
Allemania. F. W. Künzel.
Amphion Society.
Arbeiter Sängerbund.
Arion. J. Schaaf.
Arion (of Germantown).
Aurora.
Beethoven Liederkranz. F. W. Künzel.
Beethoven Männerchor. L. Gröbl.
Caecilia.
Cecilian. M. H. Cross.
Cecilian Musical Beneficial Association. B. G. S. Wilks, President.
Columbia Gesangverein. W. Winter.
Columbia Burschenschaft. L. Ockenlander.
Concordia Gesangverein. E. Gastel.
Concordia Quartet Club. L. Engelke.
Eintracht. H. Peters.
Eintracht Quartet Club.
Fidelio Gesangverein. G. Wilke.
Fidelio Männerchor.
Gambrinus Sängerkranz. F. Stadler, Secretary.
Germania Liederkranz. G. Wilke.
Germania Männerchor. J. Brenner.
Germania Orchestra. C. M. Schmitz.
Handel and Haydn Society. C. Sentz.
Harmonie. F. W. Künzel.

Harmonie Quartet Club.
Kreuznacher Sängerbund. W. Winter.
Liederkranz. Dr. Römermann.
Liedertafel. J. W. Jost.
Liedertafel d. D. F. Gemeinde. P. Jost.
Lotus Club. C. M. Schmitz.
La Lyre. F. M. A. Perrot.
Lyric Club. H. Keely.
Manayunk Choral Society. W. A. Newland.
Männerchor. E. Gastel.
Marburger Liedertafel. G. Fölker.
Mendelssohn Club. W. W. Gilchrist.
Mozart Harmonie.
Mozart Männerchor. J. G. Dickel.
Mozart Quartet Club.
Musical Fund Society. Dr. Dunglison, President.
Orchester der D. F. Gemeinde. C. Heinemann.
Orpheus Club. M. H. Cross.
Philadelphia Amateur Orchestra. J. Brophy.
Philadelphia Musical Association. L. Engelke.
Philadelphia Opera Verein. F. Wink.
Philharmonia Männerchor.
Quartet Club. H. Peters.
Rothmanner Gesangverein. H. Peters.
Sängerbund. C. Gärtner.
Schiller Liedertafel. J. Schaaf.
Schiller Quartet Club.
Schwabischer Liederkranz.
Schweitzer Männerchor. J. Brenner.
Southwark Liederkranz.
Southwark Sängerbund.
Teutonia Männerchor.
Teutonia Sangerbund. H. Peters.
Tischler Männerchor. J. Brenner.
Turner Gesang Section. J. W. Jost.
Union Sängerbund.
West Philadelphia Choral Society. W. W. Gilchrist.
West Philadelphia Harmonie. A. Faas.
West Philadelphia Männerchor.
Young Mannerchor. R. Gräner.

[ W. B. S. ]

1. Compiled for this work by Mr. Edmund Wolsleffer and Mr. J. G. Bosengarten, editor of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, to whose kindness we are also Indebted for the information contained above.