Articles on the Philharmonic Society of New York presidency of G. T. Strong

“Wonders have not ceased! Visit this afternoon from Bergner, Boehm, and another gentleman of the Philharmonic Orchestra & board of management. They want me to take the presidency of their society, which it seems Doremus has resigned, on account of some miff or tiff. I told them I knew absolutely nothing about the technicalities of music, and had no qualifications whatever for the place. But they were urgent, and I agreed to think of it. Called on Edmund Schermerhorn after dinner, to confer on the subject. He thinks it could do no possible harm to the C. M. A. & might do good.

When I mentioned the momentous proposition to poor Ellie, she had to pause a minute before she could take it in—having considered no subject outside her own poor little sickbed for the last 24 days. The she ejaculated, ‘WHY, GEORGE!!!!!’ three times running. She has seemed quite ‘set up’ since she heard it, & is eager that I accept the proffered crown.” 

“Pech is in wild despair, I’m told, about the proposition made me last Tuesday by Bergner & Co. He thinks it will draw off all my interest in the C. M. A.!!! He don’t know that I love the feeblest windpipe in the C. M. A. more than all the strings, wood, & brass of the Philharmonic. Of course he thinks there is some deadly stroke of policy underlying this proposition—some subtle stratagem in the annihilation of our society. But my sole reasons for entertaining the offer are (1) that I may be enabled to serve the C. M. A. more effectively by serving the Philharmonic Society, and getting myself into closer rapport with the musical profession in this city, and (2) to gratify Ellie. Should I accept the position, I should merely become a more or less ornamental figurehead to the well-equipped, armed, & provisioned ironclad Philharmonic.”

“Visit this afternoon from Bergner & Co. to do homage to presidency of the Philharmonic. I was unanimously elected, they say. Would they had looked elsewhere for a president! I am far too blue [because of wife Ellie’s illness] to go heartily into any new work of this kind.”

“Dr. Ogden Doremus having retired from the presidency of the Philharmonic Society, the members at their last business meeting elected as president Mr. George T. Strong, a gentleman well known in social and musical circles, as a cultivated and judicious amateur. Mr. Strong is also president of the Church Music Association, an organization which during the past season has reflected so much artistic credit on all concerned in it. As president of the leading choral and of the leading orchestral society in the metropolis, Mr. Strong will wield a wide art influence, and while the two societies will continue as such to remain entirely distinct and independent, we may venture to hope that they will occasionally be heard together. In Dr. Doremus’s administration the Philharmonic Society has proved the desirability of having as presiding officer a gentleman who with musical taste and education is free from the influences which necessarily environ the professional musician.

In the other officers elected by the philharmonic we notice the names of gentlemen already identified with the ablest achievements of the society. [Lists appointments.] We trust that next season these gentlemen will extend some encouragement to American composers.”

"This evening’s Post gives me a superior puff as President of the Philharmonic, & refers to the 'wide art influence' I “wield.” Heaven help art. I insert the newspaper cutting opposite."

Brief. “Mr. George T. Strong was elected President of the Philharmonic Society at their last meeting.”