Hide Article Text (OCR)
OUR BEAUTIFUL ORGAN.‘ AS HONOR TO THE NAME OF SPRINGER AND LONGWORTH.j Grand Marvel of Beauty l» Woodj Carving and Pesigii-A Kingof Instruments.Visions of the late Reuben R. Springe* pass In review. Stately, courteous, benevolent, princely in his gifts, wisely witnessing in his day the fruits of his splendid munificence, with this in mind: “Quonianccum interierit, non fumer omnia: nequedefcendet com eo gloria eius.” (Ps. xltx,17.)With the present remodeling of Music Hall arises memories of its earlier days—in 1878—when women volunteered to decorate the grand organ screen, namely, its front presentation. Their offering—a labor of love for the art, and free from motives sordid or mercenary—was accepted. .“The architectural construction was placed in the hands of Robert Rogers, an artist and artisan in woodwork. It was decided that the . ^ -screen should be wild cherry, one of the most beautiful of our native woods, and which, under proper treatment with oil, and not varnished, assumes the tint of coloi rivaling the richest mahogany.” Thus prepared, with brains and heart and hand* the students of the School of Design (111 ir. number), under the direction of Mr. Benn Pitman, and those of the atelier of the late Mr, Henry L*. Fry (eight in number) commenced their work. “All of that part between the two grand towers was assigned to the Frys and pupils of their school. All of those parts outside and including the towers were placed in charge of Mr. Pitman and his students.” Busy, charming, red-letter days were they to all who carved. And, then, too, there were those greatly interested, but not skilled in this work, who wished a name and place in this beautiful undertaking. These commissioned Mr. William Fry to carve panels for them, the result being that the larger panels of birds, ivy, trumpet vine, laurel, oak and the long honeysuckle frieze on the sounding board not only represent the best artistic talent in the country, but also the generous gifts of Mrs. J. Shillito, Mrs. T. Phillips, Mrs. A. S. Winslow, Mrs. A. Hinkle, the late Mrs. L, M. Dayton and others.The work well under way, Mr. Springer again came forward, offering “$500 in gold, in ten premiums, for examples of design and wood carving in the organ which should be worthy of mention, the competition to be confined exclusively to women.’* Messrs. Hannerford, Goepper and Taylor were the disinterested committee of judges chosen to award Mr. Springer’s premiums. No valuation was placed upon the work, the awards being made merely as expressive of the committee’s feelings as to the ability of those who had engaged in the work.It was a bright afternoon in May, 1878, when Mr. Springer, it) Music Hall, before a large audience of artists, musicians, student and friends, broke the envelopes and read forth the names of those whose works were to he recognized. The money was placed in pretty silver purses, and though in different sums, the purses were all alike, making each look the same. “Happy judgment of a generous heart.” The ladies who. answered to roll call on that afternoon were Mrs. F. H. Force, Mrs. J. B. Thresher, Miss Alice B. Holabird, Miss Hattie Johnson, Miss Julia Rice, Miss Emma A. Fry, Miss Annie Empson, Miss Emma Alexander, Miss Isora Collard, Miss Frances M. Banks.Working busily from September until May, but one-third of the contemplated work was completed. The balance remains unfinished up to the present time.Pride, pleasure and deep purses have dictated magnificent improvements in the auditorium of Music Hall, but contemplated nothing for the completion of the decoration of the organ screen: so grandly begun. With what mortification we all have beheldits unfinished state.With his characteristic public spiritedness and enthusiasm^ Mr. Pitman now steps into the breach, and offers six months of his time and thought, without remuneration, in an effort to further completion this work, with the hope of finishing, which most generous offer has been accepted, and full power accorded him. He now offersfree instruction in designing and carving to any who have some knowledge of drawing, on condition that when qualiiied they assist in the organ decoration.All praise to him! For just here be it said, and with great credit, that it is due to his enthusiasm that our own Art School is better known throughout the country than many other Western schools. He not only urged the students to ambitious efforts, hut made the.lr work practical wherever he could, putting them before the public on every occasion, so that our amateurs—our ladies—were first represented at the Centennial, at Philadelphia, by their work in such a way that their names have ever remained prominent among women workers.Mr. Stanwood and Mr. Booth, of ;_the Technical School, have me-tdVlr. Pitman in a most generous way in this new beginning having given free use of a room in which to carry on the work, as well as extendecother courtesies.The work of further decoration has beei begun. Time for completion limited to Ma;1. A number of the ad'staneed pupils of th« Technical School have given up their drawing, and are devoting one hour each day to carving. To date the working force numbers about twenty volunteers. The proposed end cannot be accomplished with out reinforcement, and it is not reasonable to sup pose even with that assistance, but thaa liberal financial aid from the public ii needed.The principal work will be in deep relief, hut a new and original feature will blt;= introduced for the more subordinate panels, namely, a lowered surface decoration, wltfc gold background. The aim being—while i' will be good work—to make it attractive a a distance, the organ having been movet hack about twelve feel from its origina place, while the key desk will he broughiforward.To those who would wish to donate a panel, and thus link their names with the adornment of this “king of instruments,” the opportunity is now offered—varying in sums from $10 to $100.All hon or to the names of Springer and Longworth. of Pitman and the Frys and their students, for their public spirited liberality and the work which they hav« done. FRANCES M. BANKS.
Newspaper Details
The Cincinnati Tribune
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Sun, Dec 15, 1895
Page 21
Full Page
Clipped by
Cincinnati A.
OH, USA 22 Jul 2020
Other Publications Near Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati Kentucky Times Star
Cincinnati Christian Age
Cincinnati Israelite
Cincinnati North Journal
Weekly Cincinnati Times
