Music has occupied a major portion of the leisure time of Winonans from pioneer days when local talent gave the first concert in Winona Nov. 21, 1855, to the present when choruses, choirs, bands and orchestras from the city’s three colleges, high schools and elementary schools give programs throughout the school year.
That first concert was given in Laird’s hall with the “doors open at 6 ½ - concert commencing at 7 ½.” The concert was given by N.H. Bennett, assisted by Mrs. Sheardown, Dr. Alfred Welch, a dentist; S. H. Lombard, Miss M.A. Lombard later Mrs. M. K. Drew, and Miss Wickersham, daughter of a pioneer druggist.
On the program of songs were “I’m Dreaming of Thee,” “Old King Time,” “By the Sad Sea Waves,” “We’re All Dodging,” “Little More Cider” and “The California Gold Hunters.”
The same year, 1855, the Gate City band was organized.
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Herman Rohweder and George Story played with this pioneer band in 1857, Rowheder organized his own band, the Germania Band, which not only gave a series of local park concerts but filled engagements in neighboring states.
Singing Society
The first singing society in Winona was organized by pioneer Germans with headquarters, as nearly as 1860, in the old Davenport House.
The society was known as the Maennerchor, and later met in Sanborn’s Hall.
The Germans also incorporated the Philharmonic Society in 1866, the society chorus being directed by D. Fakler.
In advertising its concerts the society promised that “people from abroad will find the entertainment most enjoyable.”
The St. Cecilia Society was one of the early prominent musical clubs.
Organized in 1866, it gave its first concert in the old courthouse hall.
O.D. Adams was musical director and Miss Corilla Hamblin later Mrs. George H. Doan, was accompanist.
Miss Hamblin also had a class of 50 music pupils at that early time.
The Echo Club of men’s voices was headed by George Simpson.
The Mendelssohn Society was heard in 1893, in a concert version of The Erl King’s Daughter.
Concerts were given by members of the Ladies Musical Club which was organized in 1855.
Among soloists were Mrs. Paul Baumgartner and Miss Genevieve Clark.
The club was directed by D. F. Colville.
The Ladies Guild of St. Paul’s Church sponsored a musicale at the Charles Horton home, 254 E. Broadway in 1892.
Other early concerts
Many of the early conterts were given in Normal Hall and then later others were presented at the Winona Opera House.
At the time of the San Francisco earthquake, a benefit song recital at the opera house was given by Mrs. Jeanette M. Lamberton (Mrs. H. M. Lamberton Sr.) who had studied under Madam Marchesi and other instructors and about who musicians and critics said, “the concert and operatic stage have lost much by the devotion of Mrs. Lamberton to her home interests.”
The concert sponsored by the Musical - Literary Society was transferred from St. Paul’s Parish because of the large numbers wishing to attend. Mrs. S.T. Berthe was Mrs. Lamberton’s accompanist.
Mrs. Lamberton also appeared in the role of Santuzza in the concert version of “Cavelleria Rusticana” given under the auspices of the Winona Symphony Orchestra assisted by the Symphony Orchestra Choral Society Feb. 7, 1912, at the opera house.
Blake G. Nevius sang the role of Alfio.
Carl Ruggles was conductor of the orchestra.
Mr. Ruggles and Mr. Lombard were among the leading figures of the music field here, the latter directing the “first annual music festival” in Winona with Mr. Ruggles as conductor when “The Holy City” was presented.
Mr. Ruggles later left Winona for the East, and is considered one of the foremost exponents of modern music.
His compositions have been played by leading symphonies and in Town Hall, New York City.
His symphony, “Portals,” was chosen as an outstanding American composition one year, and played at the International Music Festival in Belgium.
Municipal band
The Winona Municipal Band succeeded the Germania Band, and has continued to this day.
Appearing in parades and in a series of weekly concerts in the summer at the Winona Lake Park bandshell with Harold Edstrom as the present director.
The Winona Music Club flourished in 1923 directed by Walter Grimm and the Winona Male Chorus was conducted by Harold Cooke in 1932.
A community chorus made up of women’s voices was directed by Mr. Grimm for 13 years, and took first place in a state choral contest sponsored by the Minnesota Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Later Dr. Fred King directed the chorus and then T.W. Zuberbier.
A previous community singing group has been directed by Miss Caroline V. Smith who also organized the Mendelssohn Club of Winona State Teachers College, at that time the Winona State Normal School.
The club gave its first annual presentation of “The Messiah” in 1905.
Mr. Grimm is present director of the club.
The Winona Choral Society also was heard in “The Messiah” in 1909under the direction of Horace G. Seaton.
With the installation of pipe organs in Winona churches, concerts were given by local organists, among them Mr. Lombard, Arthur T. Thompson, Mrs. Hillyer and Mr. Seaton, who in 1933 gave his 161st recital in observance of the 50th anniversary of Richard Wagner’s death.
Special cantatas also have been presented at various churches and local singers, pianists and other instrumentalists have appeared in many programs here.
Another attempt at a Winona Symphony orchestra was made in recent years and a Winona Civic Chorus also was formed.
The latter revived the custom inaugurated by Miss Smith, the singing of Christmas music at an outdoor concert just prior to the holiday.
Varied music groups in Winona schools provide a series of concerts each season, both vocal and instrumental, and musicales are presented at St. Mary’s College and the College of Saint Theresa.
From the Winona Daily News Centennial Edition, Nov. 20, 1955.
