SIXTY YEARS OF CALIFORNIA SONG

Margaret Blake-Alverson

M.B. ALVERSON
1913

CONTENTS

Transcriber's Note: Numerous typographical errors and misspellings(especially of non-English words and names) in the original text havebeen corrected in this e-text, where the correct spelling could be confirmed.

Address all correspondence to

MRS. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON
1429 SECOND AVENUE
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Copyright 1913 by
MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON
All rights reserved

TO MY FRIENDS EVERYWHERE I AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATE THIS BOOK.

IF AS A SINGER AND A TEACHER OF SINGING I HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THEBETTERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, THEN HAS MY WORK BEEN WELLDONE AND I AM CONTENT.

MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY, 1913

FOREWORD

This book has been written for friends and musical associates of morethan half a century.

The author's life has been a busy one, often with events of publicimport, and so it may be that this volume has value as history. Thosewho should know have so affirmed.

It is hoped that old-time Californians will find the book goodreading. The later generations of students and musicians will beinterested in the story of one who helped to prepare the way for them.

The narrative tells somewhat of the Christian ministry of a noblefather, of the writer's career as a public singer and of reminiscencesof many associated musicians, efficient factors in the development ofmusic in California to the high place it holds today.

Some mention is made of distinguished divines and men of note in theprofessions and in business. The part taken by the author in politicalcampaigns and in the activities of the Grand Army of the Republic willappeal to patriots.

Some chapters on the singing voice and its cultivation are thefruitage of a wide experience of many years. A list of pupils forthree decades is added.

The illustrations have been at once a labor of love and anextravagance of money cost, but it is believed that the reader willfind in that feature alone justification for the publication.

THE TEXT