Article on requests for Orpheon singers for holiday performances

“The undersigned being overrun by requests from theatres and churches for singers, mostly choir boys trained in the Orpheon Free Schools, begs to state his inability to supply the demand. The state of the times has borne heavily upon this institution, and means are not at hand wherewith to enable its manager to accommodate all he would love to. His ‘spirit is truly willing,’ but his purse is weak, and he has now four Orpheon Free Schools to see safely through the winter, and absolutely nothing to look to other than whatsoever he can beg or earn for their maintenance.

Since several theatres and over fifty churches have received singers from the Orpheon, it is respectfully suggested to the managers and church authorities to contribute even if no more than $50 a year to the fund, which will then entitle them to the right of demanding singers therefrom when required, instead of appearing in the light of petitioners to an institution itself without any assured income, although it is now eleven years old, and its need is universally admitted.

Any acceptance of this proposal should be sent to Gen. C. C. Dodge [provides address], or to the undersigned, and will be at once acknowledged in the daily papers.

Jerome Hopkins, Secretary, 714 Broadway.”