Produced by David Newman, Linda Cantoni, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net SIXTY YEARS OF CALIFORNIA SONG Margaret Blake-Alverson M.B. ALVERSON 1913 [Transcriber's Note: Numerous typographical errors and misspellings (especially of non-English words and names) in the original text have been corrected in this e-text, where the correct spelling could be confirmed.] [Illustration: "Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot?" Margaret Blake-Alverson _Webster Photo, Oakland, 1912_] Address all correspondence to MRS. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON 1429 SECOND AVENUE OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA _Copyright 1913 by_ MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON _All rights reserved_ _Man must reap and sow and sing; Trade and traffic and sing; Love and forgive and sing; Rear the young with tenderness and sing; Then silently step forth to meet whatever is--and sing._ TO MY FRIENDS EVERYWHERE I AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATE THIS BOOK. IF AS A SINGER AND A TEACHER OF SINGING I HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE BETTERMENT OF INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, THEN HAS MY WORK BEEN WELL DONE AND I AM CONTENT. MARGARET BLAKE-ALVERSON OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA JANUARY, 1913 FOREWORD This book has been written for friends and musical associates of more than half a century. The author's life has been a busy one, often with events of public import, and so it may be that this volume has value as history. Those who should know have so affirmed. It is hoped that old-time Californians will find the book good reading. The later generations of students and musicians will be interested in the story of one who helped to prepare the way for them. The narrative tells somewhat of the Christian ministry of a noble father, of the writer's career as a public singer and of reminiscences of many associated musicians, efficient factors in the development of music in California to the high place it holds today. Some mention is made of distinguished divines and men of note in the professions and in business. The part taken by the author in political campaigns and in the activities of the Grand Army of the Republic will appeal to patriots. Some chapters on the singing voice and its cultivation are the fruitage of a wide experience of many years. A list of pupils for three decades is added. The illustrations have been at once a labor of love and an extravagance of money cost, but it is believed that the reader will find in that feature alone justification for the publication. THE TEXT Antecedents and Childhood 1 Our Trip to California via the Isthmus and Early Days There. First Church Choir in Stockton 13 Stockton in the Fifties. Benicia Seminary. Genesis of Mills College. Distinguished Pioneers. Marriage 33 How I Made the First Bear Flag in California 43