Article on proposed Church Music Association concert

“Meeting tonight, on these premises, pursuant to notice, of Subscribers to C. M. A. [Church Music Association]—about a dozen of them. Jas. W. Gerard, Wm. Schermerhorn, C. E. S., Dr. Haubury Smith, Dr. Barnard, Gen. Vinton, Mr. Joseph H. Patterson, Horace B. Fry, Rev. Cooke, Jas. Gedder Day, Dr. Pech, Dick Tucker, and perhaps one or two more. The very venerable Gerard presided as chairman. More suo. All were interested, and tho’ there was a certain amount of discussion, there was general unanimity, except that Gerard insisted that all seats should be reserved. Most of us thought otherwise and the subject was left to an ‘Executive Committee.’ Thereafter oysters and champagne. Everyone seemed sanguine of brilliant success, but there are difficulties to be overcome, and dangers to be averted. I see, as in a glass darkly, a gloomy vision of Dr. Pech and myself performing an extempore Pas de Desperations and rending our respective garments, over some fatal hitch or failure or oversight, or financial deficit.

“Miss Minnie Parker would give her little finger to be our Prima Donna, but her Switzer hints a doubt and hesitates [dislike?], so the young lady loyally declines the office. So Tyrant Man forever thus to trample as the Rights, and Crush out the Aspirations of Woman? ‘Sorosis’ to the Rescue! Orchestra and paid chorus will ‘go by themselves,’ but to catch one Amateur and break them after they are caught, will be a weary piece of work. However Pech’s energy, pluck, and experience will do much, and Ellie and Mr. Parker will keep him in countenance, skirmish on his flanks, and supply the social influence he lacks, being a stranger here.

“This meeting by the by elected me ‘President of the Association,’ on Gerard’s suggestion. Very much obliged, but this distinguished honor merely makes me Representative of an ‘Exclusive’ organization, odious to Newspaper Reporters and puts me forward for them to squirt at—but I guess I can stand it.”