Sixty Years of California Song. Margaret Blake Alverson
CARRIE HEINEMANN
WALLACE A. SABIN, F.R.C.O., F.A.G.O.
SAN FRANCISCO'S CELEBRATED FRENCH HORN QUARTETTE
GEO. FLETCHER, WM. E. BLAKE, NATHANIEL PAGE, GEORGE STOREY
| 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 |
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