_Mr. Francis P. Cleary_, _Mr. James L. Edwards_, and _Mr. George W. Sharper_, all band-directors, deserve mention here for their efforts while connected with such organizations. Of the musical bodies who play upon instruments of "Sonorous metal, blowing martial sounds," I mention the "_Excelsior Brass Band_;" an ambitious title, it is true, but one which the future may show to be well taken. This band contains a number of young men who seem to be in earnest, and studious; and some of them possess noticeable talent. Their leader, Mr. George W. Sharper, is painstaking, and ambitious to have the band succeed. Whenever in filling engagements it is necessary to add to the regular force of the "Excelsiors," no difficulty is experienced in securing the services of a number of fine musicians of the other race,--a fact which shows the power of music to destroy the distinctions of caste. _Mr. Joseph W. Hendricks_ has exhibited a commendable ambition in his efforts to acquire a knowledge of music, devoting several hours each day to practice on the piano-forte. _Mr. Joseph Thompson_ is an assiduous student of, and fair performer on, the [B-flat]-tenor and the flute. He is a member of the "Excelsior Brass Band." I have thus mentioned briefly the best-known artists of Boston. As I have indicated, most of them have musical abilities of a high order, entitling them to a much fuller notice than can here be given. There are, of course, others of fine musical attainments who adorn private circles. Boston contains two or three musical societies, and several vocal quartets. _The Auber Quartet_ have attracted much attention by their very pleasing rendering of some of the best popular music of the day. The names of its members appear hereafter. _The Progressive Musical Union_ is the name of one of the societies above mentioned. It is well organized. Elijah W. Smith, the poet, is president. The noble purposes of this society are eloquently stated in the following lines, composed by the gentleman just mentioned, and which prefaced the programme of the first public concert given by this society, March 9, 1875:-- "Progressive: ay, we hope to climb With patient steps fair Music's height, And at her altar's sacred flame Our care-extinguished torches light; And, while their soft and cheering rays Life's rugged path with joys illume, May Harmony's enchanted wand Bring sunshine where before was gloom! And though we may not walk apace With Mendelssohn or Haydn grand, Nor view with undimmed eyes the mount Where Mozart's shining angels stand; Yet in the outer courts we wait Till Knowledge shall the curtain draw, And to our wondering eyes disclose The mysteries the masters saw." The following are the numbers performed on the occasion mentioned:-- [Illustration: PROGRAMME. =Part First=