Glorious Music: The Fine Details

It may have been a tradition in the late 1800s for parents to instill a love of music in their children—in particular, through the use of musical lessons. Agnes Tully Stevens was not alone in her family—nor among her Irish-American neighbors—when it came to receiving training in the fine art of music-making. I have not only read that that is the case, but I happen to have read diary entries of a young Chicago teen of that era who also practiced diligently and played her violin at local recitals. That young lady was Agnes’ own cousin, Edna Tully McCaughey.

It almost seems as if the community were infused with the sound of music. Not only was it part of the young people’s extra-curricular activities, but it was also featured in their church activities. The singers listed in this particular program for the dedication of the Church of the Visitation may have achieved local recognition for their talents—but they may also have been members of this (or neighboring) churches.

Musical Director

HANS S. LINÉ

Soloists

Sopranos

Mrs. Hans S. Liné        Miss Alma Borman      Miss Nellie Driscoll

Mrs. William Collins               Mrs. J. Conroy

Altos

Miss Gertrude Graber         Mrs. Dr. Schulte       Mrs. J. Causeman

Tenors                                                 Basses

Geo. Willis Mason                                  Mr. Jno. Phelan

     Mr. Joseph J. Causeman                          Mr. William Graber

          Mr. C. E. Riddel                                      Mr. Thos. Carson

               Mr. H. G. Tewes                                        Mr. Brazil Tetson

Organist

Miss Winifred McGuire

Hans S. Liné’s Orchestra and the Visitation Church Choir (75 voices).

Wherever they originated from, these were the lead singers in addition to a sizeable choir and orchestra adorning the festivities commemorating the dedication of this Chicago church. Not one but two events for the day featured the musical talents of these people. A morning service and evening program both featured a number of classical pieces. With the acoustics of a church building in the style of those times, it must have been an uplifting experience to hear these pieces performed there.

Because the church that the Tully family attended is no longer in existence—its location being somewhere beneath the Dan Ryan Expressway—I wondered if I could find any pictures or records of the church this dedication was commemorating. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to uncover any other than what could be found courtesy of the ubiquitous Google™ Maps. Actually, when I entered the address as the program yesterday had listed it—Garfield Boulevard and Peoria Street—and placed the little Google™ icon on street view at that location, the first image that came up on the screen was the church building. So, whether being used as such or not, the place is still standing.

It does seem like a magnificent building.

Programme of the Sacred Music

Morning Service

1          Pontifical March         .           .           .        R. Wagner

2          Kyrie   .           .           .           .           .       Haydn

3          Gloria  .           .           .           .           .      Giorzia

4          Credo  .           .           .           .           .       Giorzia

5          Offertorium (Ave Maria)        .           .          Perlet

Soprano Solo, Miss Alma Borman

6          Sanctus            .           .           .           .       Haydn

7          Benedictus (O Salutaris)         .           .          Nevin

Tenor Solo, Mr. Henry G. Tewes

8          Agnus Dei        .           .           .           .       Haydn

9          Te Deum          .           .           .           .       Gregorian

10        March  .           .           .           .           .       Haendel

Evening Service

1          Pontifical March .       .           .           .           Mozart

2          “Praise Ye The Lord,” Psalm 150 .    .           .  Randegger

Soprano Solo with Chorus

Mrs. Hans S. Liné and Church Choir

Sermon

Rt. Rev. E. F. Dunne, D. D., Bishop of Dallas

3          “O Salutaris” .                        .           .          Lange

Duet for Soprano and Tenor

Mrs. Hans S. Liné and Mr. George Willis Mason

4          Tantum Ergo .             .           .           .           Goeb

5          Laudate           .           .           .           .          Gregorian

6          Postludium      .           .           .           .          Meyerbeer