The Bulletin OF THE S OCIETY FOR A MERIC A N M U S IC FOUNDED IN HONOR OF O S C A R G . T. S ONNECK Vol. XXXVII, No. 2 Spring 2011 “Will Teach Music for Room and Board:” A Snapshot of the Profession in 1876 first music professor of the 1875-76 aca- dent musicians in a single year, 1876, – Georgia K. Peebles demic year. Serious American music jour- midway through the country’s “Long De- nalism was represented by Dwight’s Jour- pression.” Economic cycles of boom and bust are nal of Music, published by John S. Dwight In 1876 alone, some 210 citations con- a part of this country’s history, as con- from 1852 until 1881.5 cerning the employment of music teach- temporary Americans are all too aware. During this period of striking institu- ers appear, spread throughout newspapers Certainly, in any time of economic tional expansion for music in the United from around the country. Indeed, the downturn, the arts are vulnerable, as States, music teachers, whether associ- first insight gained through this investiga- government, private institutions, and in- ated with institutions or independently tion is the geographical breadth of music dividuals look for ways to trim expenses. employed, were widely engaged in the teaching in the United States, with ad- Indeed, the past decade has seen cuts to growth of the profession. The lives of a vertisements ranging from Bangor, Maine arts programs, which, when coupled with multitude of “ordinary” musicians, both (The Bangor Daily Whig and Courier), to double-digit unemployment, make the teachers and performers, remain some- Galveston, Texas (The Galveston Daily professional lives of independent music what elusive, and often unrecorded. News) and Denver, Colorado (The Daily teachers unpredictable. Whether these musicians prospered or Rocky Mountain News). Advertisements Earlier cycles of economic depression struggled, succeeded in their musical en- concerning music teachers appear as well also affected the lives and careers of Amer- deavors or were forced to turn elsewhere, in newspapers from St. Louis, Missouri, ican musicians, including one known as can be surmised only through gathering “The Long Depression, which gripped the information from localized sources of in- continued on page 18 United States from 1873-1879.1 Several formation. One primary source of such economic circumstances had contributed information was, of course, the commu- to the downtown, including the collapse nity newspaper, which represented the in this issue: of the Vienna Stock Exchange (May 9, lives and concerns of 19th century middle 1873), the U.S. Coinage Act, which re- America. “Will Teach Music for 17 duced the available currency supply, and Scattered across the United States, these Room and Board:” the gradual economic decline which fol- newspapers have previously represented a lowed the post-Civil War boom years. bibliographic quagmire, but new data- A Snapshot of the By 1876, unemployment in the United bases have emerged which resolve many Profession in 1876 2 States had reached 14%. of these problems. Among them is the th Yet, in the midst of economic auster- 19 Century American Newspapers Digi- 2011 Awards and ity, institutional support of music appears tal Archive6, easily accessed through many 20 to have been flourishing in the United university libraries. This archive provides Honors States. Major concert halls were appear- full-page images of thousands of newspa- ing, including Cincinnati’s Music Hall in pers, which may be searched by date and The Paramount Theatre 19 1878. 3 The Theodore Thomas Orchestra subject. (Other databases for individual Music Library was touring through the East and Middle newspapers, such as the Historical New West between 1869 and 1878, as was the York Times Online, can provide a more The Antebellum Banjo Gilmore Band during the 1870’s.4 Music regionally focused search base.) Using the 19 professorships were appearing at Ameri- 19th Century American Newspapers Digital can universities, most notably with John Archive, it was possible to gather informa- K. Paine being appointed as Harvard’s tion about the employment of indepen- Reviews 26 continued from page 17 of some of the best music teachers of January 10 at 2506 Carr Street. Vocal, the North, she feels fully competent instrumental and harmony, by a thor- Lowell, Massachusetts, Concord, New of taking charge of the most advanced ough and original Method. Teach- Hampshire, and Macon, Georgia. pupils. Or, failing to obtain this, she ers will give lessons at school or at a It is not surprising that educational would accept a position as teacher pupil’s residence. institutions, then as now recruiting stu- of French or the English Branches. Call and see us. Mrs. M. E. Grow, Di- dents, frequently listed their music of- (Galveston Daily News, August 16-18, rectress. (St. Louis Globe-Democrat, ferings and teachers as an inducement to 1876) January 14, 1876.) enrollment. Centered on the page, the advertisements also emphasized longevity Music stores also often provided a base for More common, however, are the adver- and morals: enterprising music teachers: tisements of individuals seeking students, which specify varying levels of training German-American Ladies College, ASA V. Hill, Teacher of Music and and various forms of desired compensa- Austin, Texas / The Sixth Annual dealer in pianos (upright and square), tion: Session of this institute will com- cabinet organs and sheet music, mence on Sept. 4, 1876. / CORPS Rooms 9, 10, and 11, French’s New A young lady music teacher, from OF TEACHERS (6 listed) / Miss Tina Block, Central Street (Lowell Daily Utica, New York, wants a boarding Goerris, Teacher of Music, French, Citizen and News, January 5 – De- place in a private family. She would Geography / Miss Tony Von Schenck, cember 21, 1876) also like to give lessons for her board. Teacher of Vocal and Instrumental Best of references given and required. Music (The Galveston Daily News, The Chickering Piano! / Over 44,000 Address, state terms, etc. M.E. J. (St. Houston, Texas, August 9-Sept. 7, made. A written warranty for 5 years Louis Globe-Democrat, February 6, 1876) with every piano. / / Mr. J. H. Morey, 1876.) Teacher of Music, has the agency of Eaton Family and Day School, Nor- theseUurivaled instruments and will Wanted: A young lady (music teach- ridgewick, Maine / Fall term will com- furnish any style at manufacturer’s er) wishes a situation to play the organ mence August 28th. / Mr. Eaton has prices. (Independent Statesman, Con- in a church in the city; also, scholars associated himself with . (several cord, N. H., January 27, 1876) wanted at $12 per quarter. Address: teachers listed) / They will be assisted N.W. G. (St. Louis Globe-Democrat, by Mrs. Joel Wilson, Teacher of Mu- The New England tradition of the June 11, 1876.) sic. (Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, singing school continued, as churches August 10- Sept. 5, 1876) made available their premises for sing- A young lady who has had consider- ing schools, hoping to provide musical able experience in teaching wishes Wesleyan Female Institute, Stanton, improvement for their congregations: to secure a position as music teacher Virginia / Begins its twenty-seventh in a seminary or convent. Having Annual Session, Sept. 21, 1876. / Singing School!! / Geo. F. Wil- been for years under the instruction Ranks among the first Virginia schools ley, Teacher of Music in the Public of some of the best music teachers of for young ladies. / Twenty-three teach- Schools, Will Commence a school in the North, she feels fully competent ers and officers. Modern languages the Paige Street Baptist Vestry. Mon- of taking charge of the most advanced and / Music taught by European and day, January 10th, 1876 at 7 ½ o’clock, pupils. Or, failing to obtain this, she American teachers . P.M. would accept a position as teacher (Galveston Daily News, August 11, Two classes will be formed, one for of French or the English branches. 1876) beginners and the other for those more Address: MUSIC TEACHER, San advanced in singing. Patricio, Texas. (Galveston Daily St. Mary’s Academy, Austin, Texas Tickets, $1.50, to be had at Simpson’s News, August 16-18, 1876.) / Under the Direction of the Sisters Music Store, 41 Central Street, and at of the Holy Cross. The course of the door. The undersigned, recently arrived education is thorough and complete, / (Lowell Daily Citizen and News, from Havana, Cuba, where she has Comprising all the English branches, January 6, 1876) been engaged for the past thirteen Modern Languages, / Latin, Vocal and years as Music Teacher and Professor Instrumental music . Free-lance, independently employed of Languages, offers her services to (Galveston Daily News, August 15, musicians also advertised through the families of Galveston. Unexcep- 1876) these classifieds. The most prolific tionable references given if required. self-promoter was certainly Asa Hill, Apply at Grand Southern Hotel, or at Music teachers themselves sometimes ad- noted above, whose advertisement Goggan’s Music Store. HENRIETTA vertised for such positions: appeared over 90 times in the 1876 MAIRONI. (Galveston Daily News, Lowell Daily Citizen. There were a October 28-November 23, 1876.) A young Lady who has had consider- few independently organized music able experience in teaching, wishes schools: To make themselves more marketable, to secure a position as music teacher some music teachers expressed a “willing- in a Seminary or Convent. Having The undersigned, having succeeded in ness to teach at the home of their pupils,” been for years under the instruction establishing a large class, will open a theoretical and practical Music School continued on page 19 18 The Bulletin of the Society for American Music • Vol. XXXVII, No. 2 continued from page 18 approaches were employed, such as orga- and Contractions.” www.nber.org/cycles/ nizing singing schools, associating with cyclesmain.