Seventh Regiment Band Promenade Concert and Ball

“The promenade concert of the Seventh regiment [sic], which is to take place at the Academy of Music on Thursday evening, will undoubtedly, like its predecessor, be a great success. The boxes were sold at auction at the Armory on Saturday, and there was a lively competition for their possession. No persons will be admitted to the floor except those in uniform or full evening dress. The music will be by Grafula’s [sic] band of one hundred performers.”

“The closing promenade concert and hop of the Seventh regiment [sic] National Guard, State of New York, took place last night at the Academy of Music. The doors were opened at half-past seven o’clock, and from that hour until nine o’clock a steady stream of guests was set down and found its way into the galleries and on to the floor. The Academy has seldom presented a more splendid appearance than it did last night, and seldom has the huge structure been so thronged. Some fears were entertained that the event was set down at too late a day to be a thorough success; but all the fears of the most gloomy were dispelled at an early hour, and as the evening progressed the most fearful were forced to admit that the gallant old regiment never had a larger or more brilliant reception. The first part of the programme, as usual, was devoted to music by the band, under the direction of C. S. Grafulla, and to promenading the company. The floor was quite filled, even at this time, and it seemed almost an impossibility to make room for more without making progression uncomfortable. After the performance of some very beautiful selections from Suppe, Donizetti and a grand march composed by Signor Brignoli the second part of the programme was reached—the part which was, in fact, by far the most popular of the two. As soon as the dance music struck up the happy couples who were waiting anxiously for the opportunity of joining in the light fantastic crowded the floor, and the fun became fast and furious. The members of the ‘old’ Seventh looked very fine in their bright, new uniform, but the ladies, of course, quite eclipsed them. The regiment has for a long time boasted that the pretty girls of the city are fond of its boys, and last night these same ladies turned out in full force to do honor to their favorites. [Portion about dress; prominent members in attendance.] The affair broke up at one o’clock this morning…”

“The past few balls that have been given at the Academy of Music, have indicated the decline of the ball season by the slim attendance and the absence of enthusiasm in their participation, but the close of the season last night was a perfect blaze of triumph. The Seventh Regiment have always been celebrated for giving the most successful and brilliant entertainments in this city, and all attempts at rivalry on the part of other regiments have been of no avail. Those who are in the habit of attending the receptions of the Seventh generally think the latest one the best, but this one in fact surpassed all previous ones. No attempt was made at decoration beyond a handsomely painted drop scene at the back of the stage, and none was needed, for wherever the eye turned it lighted on bevies of struggling beauties making praiseworthy efforts to dance among the crowds that thronged the floor. The number of beautiful women present was surprising even to one accustomed to Philharmonic rehearsals, and the effect of their charms was heightened by elegant and fashionable toilettes. The boxes, including the back and upper ones, were all well filled, and their occupants frequently came out of their seclusion and visited the floor. A very commendable feature, and one worthy of adoption by other associations, was that the band, instead of being placed in the top gallery, performed in an orchestra erected on the stage, so that none of the effect of the music was lost, although dancing was difficult, owing to the crowd; yet the number of happy faces was very much greater than is usually seen at an American ball. The Americans, as a rule, are too solemn at their social gatherings, but the assemblage last evening, while retaining all the native elegance and decorum, was as gay and animated as the Germans or French. The music was admirable, and the only disappointment during the evening was felt at the beautiful but significant strains of ‘Home, Sweet Home.’ The various committees were indefatigable in attendance to their various duties, and the best taste was apparent in every detail, even to the getting up of the tickets and orders of dancing. The Seventh may be congratulated on having made more than a success on this occasion; it was a triumph, and will be long remembered by most of those who were present.”