Sixty Years of California Song   By: Margaret Blake Alverson (1836-1923)

Margaret Blake Alverson

M.B. ALVERSON 1913

[Transcriber's Note: Numerous typographical errors and misspellings (especially of non English words and names) in the original text have been corrected in this e text, where the correct spelling could be confirmed.]

[Illustration: "Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot?"

Margaret Blake Alverson

Webster Photo, Oakland, 1912 ]

Address all correspondence to

MRS. MARGARET BLAKE ALVERSON 1429 SECOND AVENUE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Copyright 1913 by MARGARET BLAKE ALVERSON All rights reserved

Man must reap and sow and sing; Trade and traffic and sing; Love and forgive and sing; Rear the young with tenderness and sing; Then silently step forth to meet whatever is and sing.

TO MY FRIENDS EVERYWHERE I AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATE THIS BOOK.

IF AS A SINGER AND A TEACHER OF SINGING I HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE BETTERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, THEN HAS MY WORK BEEN WELL DONE AND I AM CONTENT.

MARGARET BLAKE ALVERSON

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA JANUARY, 1913

FOREWORD

This book has been written for friends and musical associates of more than half a century.

The author's life has been a busy one, often with events of public import, and so it may be that this volume has value as history. Those who should know have so affirmed.

It is hoped that old time Californians will find the book good reading. The later generations of students and musicians will be interested in the story of one who helped to prepare the way for them.

The narrative tells somewhat of the Christian ministry of a noble father, of the writer's career as a public singer and of reminiscences of many associated musicians, efficient factors in the development of music in California to the high place it holds today.

Some mention is made of distinguished divines and men of note in the professions and in business. The part taken by the author in political campaigns and in the activities of the Grand Army of the Republic will appeal to patriots.

Some chapters on the singing voice and its cultivation are the fruitage of a wide experience of many years. A list of pupils for three decades is added.

The illustrations have been at once a labor of love and an extravagance of money cost, but it is believed that the reader will find in that feature alone justification for the publication.

THE TEXT

Antecedents and Childhood 1

Our Trip to California via the Isthmus and Early Days There. First Church Choir in Stockton 13

Stockton in the Fifties. Benicia Seminary. Genesis of Mills College. Distinguished Pioneers. Marriage 33

How I Made the First Bear Flag in California 43

Boston. Dedham Choir, 1858. The Civil War. Musicians. Return to California. Santa Cruz 48

Music in Santa Cruz in the Sixties. Return to San Francisco. How and Why I Became a Dressmaker. Opera. Music in San Francisco in the Seventies 59

Lady of Lyons Given for the Fire Engine Fund, Santa Cruz. Flag Raising at Gilroy Hot Springs. Visalia Concerts 69

On the Road with Dick Kohler, Mr. Vivian, Walter Campbell, Mr. Wand and Charles Atkins 75

Early Music and Music Houses. Musical Instrument Makers. Old Time Singers 83

As a Church Choir Singer in Cincinnati, Stockton, Benicia, Dedham, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, San Bernardino and Oakland. Rev. Starr King, Howard Dow, Henry Clay Barnabee, Carl Zerrahn, J.C.D. Parker, Carlotta and Adelina Patti, Jenny Lind, Joe Maguire, Georgiana Leach, Sam Mayer, Harry Gates 92

Golden Jubilee of Song Service, June 12, 1896 108