Material interests will always take precedence in the formative period of a city, and not until these are permanently fixed and assured, are the finer things given due consideration. Therefore, although Omaha had its music from the very beginning, it did not reach a high degree of musical enterprise until the seventies. From that time its cultural growth advanced very rapidly. Musicians from all over the world were attracted to the young metropolis, which showed so much promise, and through their efforts this city soon became an acknowledged center of cultural activity. It has been the general opinion among the musicians, for some time, that a permanent record of the great achievements and artistic triumphs, attained by men and women of an earlier generation, should be made and preserved. These fascinating names and events have been only vaguely familiar to the many people who were not witnesses of the deeds and activities of an earlier period. This writer hopes that the following pages will present a clear and lasting picture of the city’s musical growth during the last one hundred years. Efforts of local talent have naturally been stressed more than performances by imported musicians. Visiting artists, orchestras, opera companies, and bands certainly make a valuable contribution but their occasional visits would amount to very little if local musicians did not band together. Local programs, singing clubs, orchestras, and bands show cultural development much more in the life of a city. Through performances and support of local talent, musicians and music lovers are united in a common bond and tend to cooperate with each other for the betterment of the community. Thus united, they can do much for the musical growth of the city by presenting famous artists and by making people cognizant of the importance of local symphony orchestras opera companies, glee clubs, bands, and chamber music groups, which need the support of the community. A city, to be truly musical, must not only sponsor important musical organizations, attend concerts, create festivals, or reveal increasing discrimination, but must fill the role of performer and make music. Then it can truly be said a city has become musical, no matter how amateurish the production or performance. Material for this thesis has been obtained from newspapers, articles, programs, correspondence with musicians who have left the city, historians’ books of the various clubs, and interviews with musicians and others who could give the necessary information. Every effort has been made to gather the material needed for this task, and if anything of importance is missing, it is due to the fact that the desired information was not available. All facts, notes, and opinions are recorded as they have been obtained through research. If some persons or events have been given more prominence than others, it is either because the writer had more data concerning them or that they deserved such consideration. The only aim of the writer has been to make the public cognizant of the interesting and romantic development of a cultural phase which has been linked so closely with the growth of the city for the past one hundred years. For the purpose of better organization and clarity it was deemed best to devote the first four chapters to general trends and facta. The later chapters give attention to special activities such as the choirs and choirmasters, singing groups, festivals, orchestras, and music clubs. By concentrating the history of these activities in this way, it is hoped that a clear, continuous picture may be obtained of the important contributions to music which were made. This organization of material necessitates repetition to eliminate ambiguity at times. No mention has been made of the music in the schools. It has played a significant role especially in preparing future audiences for the symphony orchestras. The school children of Omaha have had excellent musical training under very capable music teachers and supervisors. They have been given an opportunity to take instrumental lessons, to sing in glee clubs, and to be members of bands and orchestras. In addition, special children1^ concerts have been arranged by the symphony orchestras and in recent years pupil soloists have performed with the symphony orchestra. Grade schools, high schools, and colleges have had their glee clubs, bands, and orchestras in concerts and have made a laudable showing on many occasions.
Omaha, Nebraska -- History, Nebraska -- History
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