Scan 308
The American history and encyclopedia of music .., 1908
6 lines. Read by computer on 10 September 2026. Printed page 264. See the scan on archive.org.
1America has become famous for her wonderful organs. This could not have come to pass, however, save through the merits of the organists themselves. Our organists, from the early beginnings in the use of the instrument, up to the present time have received little enough of recognition for the influence which their efforts have brought to bear on our development in music. In the remote towns and smaller cities, where the "new church organ" gives opportunity for local interest in recitals and choirs, the organist usually is the leading musical spirit in the community and as such should receive due credit for the part he plays in our musical life.
3From about the middle of the Nineteenth Century the melodion for many years was a favorite instrument in the home. The larger sizes had a pedal-board as well as a keyboard. The tone was produced from one set of reeds, and though often pleasing was lacking in power. This little instrument, of direct American origin, was the forerunner of the cabinet or parlor organ, the first one of which was manufactured in 1861. In many provincial churches it served as predecessor to the pipe organ. It also was a veritable missionary in the home circle and schoolhouse in the cause of instrumental music. The reed organ at its earliest inception became the medium whereby people in the country, village and town became familiar with our popular airs, minstrel and plantation songs, and songs of the war. Time and the influence of those who endeavored to raise the standard of music gradually changed the inclinations of the lovers of music generally, and the player on the parlor organ became ambitious for music of a higher grade.
5One reason why these instruments became so popular was because their cost was such that it fitted the pockets of the people, those who loved music but could not afford more expensive instruments. They danced to its gayer strains; they sang their hymns of praise to the accompaniment of the parlor organ; it was their music at the marriage feast; and to its muffled tones they bore their loved dead over the threshold. America has its traditions, and in the future
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