Article: Letter to the Editor by Balthazar Kissenberth Regarding the Musical Mutual Protective Union

Publication of a Letter to the Editor by Balthazar Kissenberth regarding the Musical Mutual Protective Union.

          “I, the undersigned, feel the need to publicize how I was treated by the Music-Union in order to give everyone the opportunity to judge for themselves.

          For the last 4 years, I conducted a music band which was received with goodwill and support by the audience—for which I would like to express my sincere gratitude—which led me to believe that my performance was satisfactory. However, I encountered some hostility from several other German music bands. Whenever I would hold a concert, it was said that I was performing without charge, which led to conflicts and ill-treatment by the Music-Union.

          The first charge was brought up against me by Mr. H. Wannemacher on May 16th of the current year. On that day, I played with five men at a picnic, and it was said that I did not charge double for myself as the leader of the band. The Union, though, did not decide until May 18th about this new by-law.

          The second charge was brought forward by Mr. L. Rubel. The state of affairs is as follows. I was engaged by the committee of the “Warren Guard”, Captain Hofmann, to play dance music with six men at a shooting event—without a march for initiating the competition—on the date of December, 15th  1864. I asked for $5 for each man, and double for myself, thinking I made a good deal. The Union, though, disagreed. According to the union by-laws for shooting events, the players are supposed to charge $4 and $6 for dance music. I only played dance music. The charge said that I had played for a picnic and should have charged $6. I call for the Warren Guard, respectively Captain Hofmann, to determine if the event on December 15th, which was held in three foot high snow, was a shooting event or a picnic. Due to a violation of the constitution I was fined a $ 20 penalty.

          The third charge is as follows: In my absence, my partner, Mr. Schäfer, took care of the request from Ms. Stamm, order of the Rothmänner, for a bandleader and eight men for a picnic from 3 pm until midnight. The pay was $6 for each man, and double for the leader of the band. I accepted this agreement. Afterwards, I was accused by a former leader—and I say on purpose ‘former’ Leader—with the claim that he had agreed on $7 per man for his band in his negotiations with the same committee before me.

          The board of the union did not charge me that time, but they wish me to pay the difference to Mr. Wittworth, which is the former leader’s name. He, though, only asked for $50, yet the total revenue of the event was $54. Of course, I will not follow this request, and I hereby ask all musicians who have participated at this event with me to make it known if they have any payment demands of me.

          In conclusion, I hereby declare my complete withdrawal from the Music-Union. My band will continue to exist, and all orders for engagement will be taken care of by me as usual. Some members of my band who have decided to stay with the Music-Union will leave. They have already been replaced, however, by other fine musicians.

          I present the above to my fellow New Yorkers in order for them to form their own judgment and I hope for their further goodwill.

Respectfully,

Balthaser Kissenberth”