USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Dedham > History of Dedham, Massachusetts > Part 30
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DEDHAM PAGEANT. A historical pageant, "The Home in the Valley" was presented to a Dedham audience with the opening of the Community Theater, on Friday evening, October 14, 1927 under the direction of Miss Mary Goodman Sterzel. The story of the first settlers of Dedham and how they came to found the town was dramatized by Miss Ester Willard Bates, professor of dramatic art, Boston University. The cast, which numbered more than a hundred, included many well known Dedham people. The various episodes of the pageant included: "May Day Rev- elers", "Puritan Women", "Squaws", and "Puritan Children".
THE NATIONAL RECOVERY ACT PARADE. The Dedham supporters of the blue eagle gave their N. R. A. Parade on Friday evening, November 17, 1933. The night was very cold, but that did not prevent three thousand from marching in one of the longest parades ever held in the town. The parade started in Oakdale square and followed a route to Dedham square where town officials reviewed the long line. Despite the cold, many thousands of Dedham residents watched the parade from the sidewalks. Units of military organizations, fraternal societies, and the fire department took part in the parade with a thousand Junior and Senior High School pupils. Floats and decorated cars added to the color of the demonstration.
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CHAPTER XX
MUSIC
Singing in the Dedham Church for the first hundred and twenty-five years was lined off by the deacons. The singing was probably from the Bay Psalm Book which was published in 1640, and continued in many later editions the poetry of which is illustrated by a verse of the first Psalm:
O blessed man that on the advice of wicked doeth not walk nor stand in sinners way nor sit in chayre of scornful folk.
About 1766 choir singing* was introduced and by permission of the parish the "leader of singing" had his choice in selection of those whom he would have assist him in the choir. In 1785 the parish voted to sing "without the deacons" .** No instru- mental music of any kind was used in the Sunday service in the first and second meeting houses of the First Parish. The violin was the first musical instrument used in the church service. In 1790 the parish desired Mr. Abner Ellis to make use of an instru- ment "to strengthen the base". In 1805 the parish purchased a bass vial to be used in the ordination of the Rev. Dr. Bates. The violin was supplemented in the development of instrumental music by other instruments as shown by the orchestra of the Allin Congregational Church previous to 1851, when William Bullard played double bass, John Thayer (leader), George Fuller, Moses Boyd, George H. Thayer, Edwin Taft the violin, John King the flute, George Guild the post horn, Henry Ingalls the cornet, Philip Googins the violoncello, and Horatio Clarke the ophicleide. The players gave out the tune and played the last line for an inter- lude. The members of the orchestra loved music so much that
* Early congregations knew only five or six tunes, ten at the most.
** There was a general outcry against the fashion of singing the entire hymn consecutively "without the deacons" when first introduced. The Rev. Josiah Dwight, the first minister of the Clapboard Trees Parish, published in 1745 an "Essay on the Outcry Raised Against Regular Singing."
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they were always in their places, without any thought of remu- neration, to perform their part in the simple service of playing three hymn tunes twice each Sunday. To promote singing in the church and home, the Rev. Dr. Burgess provided a singing school for many years which was largely attended.
Band music with the exception of the fife and drum used in military service, was slow in development in Dedham as shown by the fact that out of town bands were usually in attendance on all public occasions. William H. Clarke with his tenor drum and Edward Bestwick with a fife, escorted the Dedham Wide- Awakes who took part in the memorable Lincoln torchlight parade in Boston in 1860. George Thayer and William H. Clarke organized in the fifties a small quadrille band which furnished the music for the amateur dramatic club when they gave per -- formances in Temperance Hall.
The concerts given by the Harmoneons in Temperance Hall were always crowded and offered fully as much amusement as can be found today. This was a variety troup giving the first half of the program in full dress suits with buff vests, the music being very sentimental. During the intermission the performers transformed themselves into darkies and humorists in a grand "olio" as they termed it, of fun and variety with the end men representing a highly dressed feminine songstress, a fanciful colored belle, singing falsetto in the chorus and doing the fancy dancing. There were good voices in the troup and their wit was well expressed. In addition to the Negro songs and choruses there was a finale of a grotesque farce.
The Mendelssohn Quintelle Club gave many instrumental concerts in Temperance Hall and in 1869-their twentieth season-a concert in Memorial Hall. The late Arthur W. Thayer said, "The Mendelssohn Quintelle Club, I think, first raised my love for good music, as these musical missionaries were doing for thousands of young Americans all over the country, and to them all American musicians owe a great debt for their finished per- formance of the best music and their adherence to high ideals." Of the Swiss Bell Ringers Mr. Thayer says: "They made such an impression on me that for years afterwards what musical ideas came to me unsought came in bell tones not in the tones of
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the voice or instruments which afterwards sung or played them."
The Hutchinson family, a very talented family of native musicians sang here. At one concert a very curious incident happened. The audience became widly enthusiastic over some- thing they sang, so they came out and sang an encore. The audi- ence liked that so much that they encored the encore so they came out and sang another and so it went on, for four or five encores until their stock was exhausted. Camilla Urso, when- ever she appeared in Temperance Hall, gave intense enjoyment by her masterly playing.
The choir of the Rev. Dr. Lamson's church, and the choir of the Rev. Dr. Burgess' church, in friendly rivalry, gave in their respective meeting houses occasional concerts in the years pre- ceding the Civil War.
A Dedham Brass band was organized about 1856. Rehearsals were held in the hall of the engine-house on Washington Street with Alonzo Bond, of Bond's Boston Cornet Band as the teacher. He played with the Band in the Norfolk County Agricultural Fair Parade in 1860. The band was disbanded with the beginning of the Civil War in 1861.
The PICNIC BAND. This band was organized previous to 1840 and held together for a long time. It was organized and led by John H. B. Thayer who played in it the key bugle. The other members were George Dixon, slide trombone; Erastus Worthington, piccolo; Fred Richards, clarinet; George Richards, snare drum; Fisher Hewins, bass drum; George Fisher, cymbals; George Noyes, snare drum; A. A. Bestwick, piccolo. The band played in Faneuil Hall, Boston, at some of the Temperance Meet- ings held by John B. Gough and perhaps the most important engagement was in the Harrison and Tyler Campaign at Faneuil Hall when Mr. Thayer played the key bugle in the difficult "Wood- up Quickstep" accompanied by the Band, which brought down the house, and making him to be compared with Ned Kendall, the best soloist of the times. In those days a grove of fine pine trees extended from where the Dedham Pottery now stands almost to Boyden Square, in which many picnics were held, and the Band played for so many picnics there that it took its name from playing in this grove. During the Harrison and Tyler Cam-
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paign, as an added attraction to the grove, a log cabin was built there with a rough staging in front of it, upon which the Band played.
One of the best remembered Dedham Bands was the Cadet Band organized in 1907 by Charles Hatch with the active assist- ance of Fred I. Ayres, one of the best known bandmasters in this section of the country. This band was organized for the purpose of keeping the boys off the streets and to save them from forming the habit of cigarette smoking. The rules were strict in regard to smoking. Any member found puffing on a "coffin nail" immediately lost his membership in the band. The dues were twenty-five cents a week for two rehearsals. A parent thus expressed himself in reference to this band. "It was the best investment I ever made in my life for my boy." The Cadet Band gave its first concert in April, 1907, and the following Memorial Day took part in the annual parade in visiting the several cemeteries of the town.
Moses Boyd was a great lover of good music and took his recreation in playing the violin. He owned a very old violin which was said to be an Amati. With Mr. Boyd's co-operation a string quartet was organized which met at his house each week. The quartet consisted of John Thayer, first violin; Moses Boyd, second violin; Frank Kiessling, viola; and William H. Clarke, violoncello. Here the young players were introduced to Mozart and Haydn, and the hours there spent says Prof. William H. Clarke "were among the most enjoyable of my life."
FIRST SYMPHONY CONCERT. More than a century ago four or five concerts of music were given each year, the perform- ers coming from Boston and neighboring towns which attested to an early love for music. It was, however, more than a hundred years later that the first symphony concert came to Dedham. On November 29, 1935, Arthur Fiedler and his Boston Sinfonietta gave a performance in the George F. Joyce Auditorium of the Dedham High School. The orchestra was made up of fifteen musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Sinfon- ietta is a symphony orchestra adapted to the smaller auditoriums of suburban towns. Some of the choice compositions of great
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A HISTORY OF DEDHAM
composers were delightfully handled by this small group of players.
An appreciation of Memorial Hall was immediately mani- fested in the number of concerts and entertainments given with- in its walls. Here Charles L. Capen, pianist, organist, and musical critic, gave annual concerts in the seventies. He was the gifted son of Charles J. Capen, the well known teacher and organist. While Mr. Capen, Senior's attainments in this branch of culture was self-educated, he saw to it that his son had instruction in the best school in Germany. The Grand Promenade Concert by Gilmore's Band given in Memorial Hall in 1883 is one of the best remembered concerts of the period. Of the several War Song Concerts given by the Grand Army of the Republic, the 1883 concert, with a chorus of fifty male voices is still recalled. The Fadette Brass Quartet, conducted by Mrs. Caroline Nichols of Dedham, often appeared in Memorial Hall. This was the largest women's Brass Band in America. The Fadette's gave concerts in many of the large cities of the country. Later they appeared in the musical program of Keith's and the Old Boston Theater.
SCHUBERT CLUB OF DEDHAM. After the first Grand Army Concert given in Dedham, December 5, 1883, Messrs. Joseph, Henry, and Amasa Guild, who were very enthusiastic about men's sings, used to meet with Arthur W. Thayer at their different homes and have a "sing" as they expressed it. This led to the idea of taking others into the circle especially Messrs. John L., and Frank M. Wakefield, Rev. Arthur M. Backus, and H. L. Williams. The first rehearsal of the Schubert Club of Ded- ham was held on September 28, 1885.
Twelve concerts were given by this Club from 1885-1902. The first concert was held in Memorial Hall, December 17, 1885. The Dedham Transcript thus speaks of the concert: "If the pres- ence of a large and enthusiastic audience, well merited and gener- ous applause, and a feeling of agreeable surprise on the part of the listeners can be taken as a criterion of a successful concert, then the first public effort of the gentlemen comprising the Schubert Club of Dedham was eminently successful." The Club used to give occasionally a "River Sing" at Motley's Pond. It also gave concerts in Roxbury, Village Hall, Norwood, Art Club, Boston,
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and the Harvard Musical Association. It will be remembered that the Schubert Club sang at the 250th anniversary of the founding of Dedham. In 1902 the Schubert Club was merged into the Dedham Glee Club which held an organization until 1909. The first concert of the Glee Club was given in Memorial Hall, April 22, 1902. The following notice appeared in the Dedham Transcript: "The music loving residents of this town and vicinity turned out in large numbers and filled Memorial Hall. The occa- sion was the first concert of the Dedham Glee Club, the town's leading musical organization. The program included selections from the works of many prominent musicians of this and foreign lands."
The Handel and Haydn Society, the opera, the Symphony Concerts, and the popular Pop Conerts have had a liberal support from Dedham patrons through the years. Three composers and organists-Arthur W. Thayer*, a native of Dedham, Arthur Foote, and Arthur H. Ryder, long residents of Dedham, have distinguished themselves in the musical profession. Mrs. George A. Cutter is a composer of pianoforte music and an author of plays. Reference should also be made to Howard Goding, whose piano recitals are events in Dedham's musical world. Howard Jacobs, now playing in London-a master of the saxophone; Dr. Kelley who employs his spare moments in perfecting his graphic system of explaining harmonies and their properties, and also other theoretical work; William Horatio Clarke already men- tioned, who was composer, organist, and finally organ builder.
Through the years Dedham has had choral societies, quartets and kindred organization of which a catalogue of members would include at least two hundred names. Owing to this large number of singers, names have been omitted in this work.
Joseph Boetje, viola player, has presented to Dedham audi- ences many orchestral concerts of a very high order, associating with him a fine ensemble of artists in their presentation.
* A memorial service to Mr. Thayer (who died Nov. 17. 1924) was given in the First Church, where he was for so many years organist, on Monday evening, March 25, 1935. Mendelssohn's "Elijah", under the direction of George Sawyer Dunham, with the Brockton Festival Chorus and soloists was presented. Dedham is thus honored in the life of a leading citizen, whose ability was recognized by the finest musical talent in the community, who joined in tribute to an inspiring teacher of voice, an able leader of choruses, and a composer of high merit.
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A concert by Joseph Boetje accompanied by eight musicians of the Boston Orchestral Players, given in the Parish House of the First Church, on January 17, 1934, will long be remembered by those in attendance as it has added a notable chapter to the cultural history of Dedham. Following three numbers on the program, the curtain of the stage was drawn and Mr. Boetje in a short address prepared his audience for the surprise of the evening. His talk dealt with the origin and makes of violins, and its brothers the viola and the cello. As the curtain again parted Mr. Boetje stood in the midst of an actual fiddle shop, a priceless collection of old instruments from the famous workshops of the 18th and 19th centuries. One by one Mr. Boetje exhibited rare violins and cellos, relating the history of each and called attention to the beauty of form, curves, and finish, of these rare instruments, all of which were loaned by his personal friends for the occasion. The money value of the instruments ran into thousands of dollars and they were at all times 'under police protection.
VIOLINS
1 Joseph Guarnerius filius Andreas (1690)
2 Antonius Stradivarius (One of 1700 made by order of the court of England and with his violin came the Tourte bow named "The Baillot" Tourte, the finest in the world)
1 Montagnana (Known as "The Mighty Venetian")
1 Guiseppe and Antonius Gaglianoia
1 Andreas Guarnerius
1 Storioni
1 Pressenda (of Turin)
1 Vuillaume (Jean Baptiste Vuillaume of Paris)
1 Duke (of London)
1 Geo. Gemunder (of Springfield and Boston) (Known as the Wilhelmj Gemunder)
VIOLA
1 Francesca Ruggieri
CELLI
1 Joseph Guarnerius filius Andreas
1 Francesca Ruggieri
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1 Landolfi
1 Balestrieri
The climax of the evening came when with a 1690 Guarnerius violin and a 1700 Stradivarius, Bach; Largo, for two violins, was played by members of the orchestra.
Robert W. Gibb is not only promoting the musical life of Dedham as an instructor of music in the public schools*, but as a composer and director, is equally active in the field of music. In 1932 Mr. Gibb published "Calm and Storm", which was selected by the Associated Glee Clubs of America as one of the eight best pieces published that year. Under his direction the Men's Chorus, organized some years ago, is again in the field in public concerts with forty trained voices in which the talents, powers, and capa- bilities of each have been combined through Mr. Gibb's skill into a chorus of rich harmonies. Alexander Doyle was an accom- plished organist as well as a distinguished sculptor. In his early years he acted as organist in one of the cathedrals in Italy and was made an honorary member of the Royal Raphael Academy of Urbino.
In 1893 a Musical Festival was held in Mechanics Hall, Bos- ton, on the 25th anniversary of the Second Peace Jubilee which was termed the "Columbian Festival" to distinguish it from the "Gilmore Jubilee Concert" which was given in 1889. Arthur W. Thayer was the choral and orchestral conductor of the "Colum- bian Festival." As players from the Symphony Orchestra were not available, Mr. Thayer formed an orchestra of fifty-seven women players which at that time was an entire novelty. The success of the innovation was fully sustained both by the press and the audiences. This organization gained a recognition which resulted in a more general recognition of the value of women players in orchestral work.
The Gideans, who for many years have delighted both public and private audiences with their vocal and instrumental music, were former residents of Federal Hill.
GERMAN SINGING SOCIETY. Fred Kiessling, a native of Germany, organized some seventy-five years ago, with others
* For music in the Dedham Schools see Chapter 8.
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A HISTORY OF DEDHAM
from the Fatherland, a singing society in East Dedham, of which Franz Kiessling was the director. The Society met for some years in the homes of members, but in 1865, after the close of the Civil War, the members purchased two barracks at Readville and moved them to Rockland Street. In 1871 they built the large hall, in what is known as Germantown, which was dedicated with appropriate exercises in 1872. In 1890 the Society was incorporated as the "Harmonia Singing Club". Again it was reorganized in 1896 and has since been known as the "West Rox- bury Liederkranz Hall" having a membership of two hundred and fifty persons, successors to a Society founded by the lovers of good music.
CHAPTER XXI
DEDHAM CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
W HEN the Dedham settlers, in the second winter of their settlement here, gathered once or twice a week in one anoth- er's homes, although holding religious meetings, they were never- theless an embryo club. The club has been one of the most potent factors in the development of the country through the establish- ment of innumerable organizations for religious, commercial, social and intellectual purposes; even the general store in the early days was a village club. The whole process in the evolution of America is as well illustrated here in Dedham as anywhere, through her varied organizations. While some of the societies here mentioned have gone out of existence, yet Dedham is still strong in organizations, having more than a hundred at the present time, of which a number are here given.
FREE BROTHER'S CLUB. This club composed entirely of college men was formed March 5, 1766, the first club to be organ- ized in Dedham. The club was formed at the home of Dr. Nath- aniel Ames and consisted of the following members: Dr. Nathaniel Ames, Seth Ames, Nathaniel Fisher, Samuel West, Manasseh Cut- ler, and Dr. Jeruald. Doubtless political as well as literary sub- jects were discussed at these meetings. At a weekly meeting held on April 4, 1766 at Dea. Ellis' Tavern at Clapboard Tree it is recorded* that "Every mind was impressed with a lively sense of the pleasures and advantages arising from our fraternity."
MEN'S CLUB OF THE ALLIN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. This Club was organized November 18, 1901, with the Rev. Edward Rudd as President. The membership was first con- fined to the Allin Congregational Church, but was soon extended to the men in other churches on equal terms of membership. At one time the club had a membership of three hundred.
Meetings were at first held in residences but soon occupied the Chapel of the Allin Congregational Church. The Club rendered a valuable service for a quarter of a century with a series of eight
* Journal of Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler who taught the South Parish 'School 1765-6.
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A HISTORY OF DEDHAM
monthly meetings each year. The scope of the work of the Club is well illustrated by the program for 1924. Two meetings were designated as "Ladies' Night." Stanley High of Boston spoke on "China's Place in the Sun." Prof. David D. Vaughan presented the "World Sweep of Democracy." Young Men's Night included an invitation to all young men in the Senior Class of the Dedham High School, Bertram C. Larrabee of the Sheldon School of Boston spoke on the subject "Building a Man." On Membership Night an entertainment was furnished by the Club with singing by the High School Glee Club. Other speakers for the year were Hon. Frederick W. Fosdick, Justice of the Superior Court; George F. Brock, President of the Home Savings Bank of Boston; Lewis A. Hartman of Boston, Rev. Harry W. Kimball of Needham and Commander Lewis Coxe of the United States Navy. Interest in other organizations gradually increased and in 1926 the Club disbanded.
YOUNG PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION. This organization was formed during the summer of 1934 to promote a deeper, closer fellowship among the young people of all the Protestant Churches, thus meeting a long felt need in the community life of Dedham. The Association is organized to present an interesting program consisting of lectures, musicals, plays and social evenings. The first board of officers was installed on Sunday evening October 14, 1934, in the Parish House of the First Church, the service taking the form of a candle light service. Officers were installed as fol- lows: President, Robert M. Bailey, Jr .; first vice-president, Don- ald Hutchinson; second vice-president, George W. Gibson; secre- tary, Lois Eddy ; treasurer, Alfred Dappler.
DEDHAM BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION. This asso- ciation was formed October 21, 1927, with thirty odd members; its object being to foster, encourage and develop the mercantile, residential and manufacturing interests of Dedham, to disseminate favorable propaganda of the town's advantages and to strive to build up business located in Dedham. The following are some of its accomplishments: For several years the association has fin- anced and erected the colored lighting display at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The association has assumed the responsibility of painting the word "Dedham" in large letters for aviation guidance in Oakdale Square. It has already voted to
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light up the business section of Dedham each Saturday night during November and December. The Association now has a membership of fifty-five-and the ambition to make it a 100 per cent organization.
BOY SCOUTS. A movement started for the general purpose of training boys, between 12 and 18 years of age, in self reliance, manhood, and good citizenship. The "Boy Scouts of America" were chartered under the laws of the District of Columbia Febru- ary 8, 1910. Before he becomes a scout a boy must take the scout oath which is as follows : On my honor I promise that I will do my best: 1st, to do my duty to God and my Country. 2nd, to help other people at all times. 3rd, to obey the scout laws. The rules of conduct prescribe, honor, loyalty, unselfishness, friendliness, hatred of snobbishness, kindness to animals, obedience to parents, gentleness and thrift. A prescribed uniform is worn. All can testify to the courtesy and helpfulness of Boy Scouts at conven- tions and other assemblies where they are of great service and assistance to those in attendance. Camps have been established for the Scouts in various places but none exceed in completeness "Scoutland" at Dover which was established on a 19-acre lot of land by Geo. V. Austin in 1918. It has a fine equipment of things necessary for camping. Its original building is a picturesque log hut constructed under the directions of Herman Templeton, a Rangely, Maine, guide who teaches the scouts woodcraft.
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