San Jose As A Musical Center.

                A  Musical Atmosphere, the Influence of, wich is as Wide as the West.

              The Advantages Presented for the Acquirement of a Classical Education.  

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     Of all the arts, great music is the art to raise the soul above all earthly storms.

                                                                                                                                                                                           L.Lealand

              People of wealth, refinement and education are naturally attracted to those communities in which there is an atmosphere of art and culture congenial to their tastes, and where the greatest facilities are offered for the acquirement of a complete classical education by their children. To this fact San Jose owes much of its prosperity, music as a science having here been elevated to a standard hitherto unknown in the history of the West. The city has therefore attained a prominence in the musical world which is not bounded by State or sectional lines. Pupils are sent not only from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado, but from many other States west of the Mississippi, while a number of wealthy people have disposed of their interest elsewhere in order that members of the family might, to the fullest extent, enjoy the privileges here presented.

              This condition was foreshadowed by the great teacher and composer F. Loui King, when years ago he said:” I am convinced that at San Jose or at Stanford University there is a possibility of building up the greatest musical center in America, if not in the world; a center that in a few years can be made not less illustrious than Bayreuth, and that will attract to this valley the best artists and the most ardent students of music of all nations. To effect his we have the climate, the location, the cultured community, the native talent, and all the elements out of which a musical center must be made. There needs nothing to realize the result but the money and the men.”

              No one was better qualified to express such an opinion than D. Loui King, as he had, fifteen years previously, come to take charge of the musical department of the University of the Pacific, where he set the standard of musical culture high, educated the people up to it, and raised the musical department to a distinct branch of the University work. As Dean of the Conservatory, therefore, where, under his guidance, pupils had been trained that were subsequently accepted by the greatest masters in Europe, he was well advised as to the conditions which would naturally lead to the predicted result.

              At the time he made the prophecy, Prof. King had been called to take charge of the Conservatory of Music connected with the University of Oregon, and doubtless failed to realize that he was to be so largely instrumental in bringing about the result which he had so clearly foreseen. Our best citizens, however, realized the necessity for furthering the musical interest of the city, and inaugurated a movement which subsequently resulted in the return of F. Loui King, and the establishment in our city of a grand Conservatory of Music, with appropriate buildings, and the great master and composer as its Dean.

              Around such a master it is but natural that others should gather, such as Earl Broun, the Prof. of Voice Culture, who studied under the best masters in Italy, France and Germany, and has a certificate from Signor Lamberti; John Haraden Pratt, fellow of the American College of Musicians, who has a certificate from the Leipzig Conservatory; Hermann Brantd, the great violinist; Frederick S. Gutterson, and others.

             San Jose, therefore, offers advantages in the musical world which are exceptional. Its musical atmosphere also attracts to our city, the best solo artists. We have, as a result, been enabled to enjoy the performances of Rive King, Ketten, Jossify, Aus der Ohe, Mendelssohn and the Boston Quintette

, Rosewald, Brandt, Musin, Sherwood, Rememyi, Ysaye, and others, and only thorough musicians can appreciate the intrinsic value of hearing good artists.

              A series of piano recitals have been given also at the Conservatory by F. Loui King and his pupils, embracing some of the best works of the old classical and modern composers, executed with such a degree of artistic finish that they have been sources of both pleasure and profit.            

              There are few cities, indeed, either in the East or the West offering such facilities for the acquiring of a musical education, as are presented in the city of San Jose.

Alfred G. Eaton, Sunshine Fruit and Flowers, San Jose, CA. San Jose Mercury Publishing and Printing Co.1896