“The Philadelphia Regiment consisting of upwards of 1,000 able-bodied men after being reviewed and performing the Manual Exercises [went] thro’ the Town in Three Grand Divisions ... with Hautboys and Fifes in Ranks ... [and] Drums between the third and fourth Ranks.”[145] This is certainly a small beginning but the band had come to stay and apparently was popular, and probably was used in most processions and public celebrations. After the victory at Louisburg fireworks were displayed in Philadelphia and a performance of a “Band of Music playing Britons strike home.”[146] At a later date bands of the British regiments stationed in Philadelphia, aided at the public commencements of the “College and Charity School”[147] now the University of Pennsylvania. The year 1757 is very important in the history of music in Philadelphia. We have now the “first _public_ concerts on record,” says O. G. Sonneck.[148] The advertisement runs: “By particular Desire. On Tuesday next, the 25th instant, at the Assembly Room, in Lodge Alley will be performed a Concert of Music, under the direction of Mr. John Palma,[149] to begin exactly at Six o’clock. Tickets to be had at the London Coffee House, at one Dollar each, and no Person to be admitted without a ticket.”[150] Another concert was given March 25th, of this same year.[151] This year, too, a man appears in musical circles, who undoubtedly exercised more influence upon musical affairs in Philadelphia than any one man before or since. This is no other than Frances Hopkinson, statesman, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Lawyer, Writer, Inventor, Composer of Music, etc., etc. His contributions to the music and musical taste of this country is little known, but when we say that the evidence points to him as the first native composer in America, although Jas. Lyon of this city may have been--they both wrote music as early as 1759[152]--this fact makes him a man of the greatest importance in musical circles. We wish to correct here a statement made by various writers on American music, that William Billings was the first American composer. This is absolutely false, since Hopkinson and Lyon composed music at least ten years before Billings did, while the latter was yet a child. It will not be out of place here to give a short account of Frances Hopkinson, laying particular stress upon his musical labors, especially as regards German music. Frances Hopkinson was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 21, 1737, the son of Thomas and Mary Hopkinson. He must have been keen, active, and studious, since, while yet a boy of twenty, he received his degree with the first class ever graduated from the College of Philadelphia. From now on he advanced in knowledge and in favor with the world. In 1760 he received the degree of Master of Arts from his Alma Mater, and in 1763 received the same degree from the College of New Jersey. In 1790 his own college conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws.