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THE COLONIES AND THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC
March 23rd, 1882
The meeting at St. James's Palace on the 28th of February, 1882, was followed up by other important, though subsidiary meetings, at the instance of the Prince of Wales, who was now fully set on the success of his grand scheme. As, formerly, he had been ably supported by the speeches of the Duke of Edinburgh, the lamented Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and Prince Christian, at influential meetings in Manchester, so now he enlisted the Duke of Connaught in the cause, who addressed, with great ability and tact, a meeting of Merchants, Bankers, and leading men in the City, at the Mansion House, on the 20th of March, the Lord Mayor in the Chair.
Not satisfied with this, the Prince of Wales invited a large number of influential gentlemen connected with the Colonial Empire to meet him at Marlborough House, on Thursday, the 23rd of March, 1882, to consider what steps could be taken to secure the benefits of the Royal College of Music for all parts of the Empire. The record of the origin of this great institution would not be complete without giving the speech of His Royal Highness on that occasion. The following is the address delivered at that meeting: —
"You are, doubtless, aware of the efforts at present being made to establish a Royal College of Music – a work which, I venture to think, is one of national importance.
"It is intended to place the institution on a broad and liberal basis; that its advantages shall not be confined to residents of the United Kingdom, but be open to our fellow-subjects in all parts of the Empire; and the gratuitous education of scholars, selected by competition on the claim of merit only, will be one of its principal features.
"The scheme has been received with marked favour throughout the United Kingdom, but I should consider it wanting in one of its main objects if I did not succeed in enlisting the sympathy and co-operation of our fellow-subjects residing in the Colonial portions of the Empire.
"I have on so many occasions experienced the advantages of their ready and earnest concert in promoting schemes of public utility in relation to material progress, that I have some confidence they will exhibit the like friendly rivalry in furthering our efforts in favour of an elevating pursuit, which in all ages and among all communities has exercised no slight influence on national character, and the promotion of which may constitute a bond tending to unite us as strongly in sentiment and feeling as we now are in loyalty and material interest.
"For these reasons I was anxious to meet as many of the leading gentlemen connected with the Colonies as might now be temporarily in London, as well as those who permanently reside here; and I am gratified at the readiness with which so many of you have acceded to my invitation.
"My object is partly to make it understood how much importance I attach to the element of Colonial co-operation and sympathy, not only as affecting the immediate success of the work, but bearing on the higher objects of national unity, by inspiring among our fellow-subjects in every part of the Empire those emotions of patriotism which national music is calculated so powerfully to evoke.
"I further desired to apprise you of the steps which had been and were being taken to carry out this purpose.
"Immediately after the Meeting at St. James's Palace I directed that full reports of the proceedings should be prepared, with the view of transmitting them to Lord Kimberley, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to be forwarded by him for the information of the Governments of the various Colonies, in the hope that the good-will of these Governments might be attracted in our favour, and such public encouragement afforded as they might feel it becoming to extend.
"It seemed doubtful, however, whether an official communication of this character was calculated to accomplish the full object we had in view, viz. to stimulate popular feeling and sympathy among our Colonial fellow-subjects. It was thought that such an end might be better attained by a direct appeal to themselves and by a more general distribution of the reports of our proceedings among the various institutions, religious bodies, heads of municipalities, and leading persons in the Colonies.
"I accordingly propose to supplement this communication by a further letter, and to send a sufficient number of copies of our proceedings to meet the necessary requirements, for transmission to the Colonies.
"I am not insensible to the engrossing nature of the pursuits of Colonial life, nor to the claims which material interests have on young communities. We must all recognise with pride and admiration how much the enlightened enterprise and perseverance of our Colonial fellow-subjects have already contributed to the greatness and wealth of the Empire; and I am far from suggesting any relaxation of these efforts.
"My purpose is to provide for the leisure hours which must come to the busiest among us – no matter where we live or what sphere of life we occupy – an elevating source of enjoyment, which is at the same time calculated to strengthen those emotions that have so much influence in perpetuating a common love of country.
"I have endeavoured in my further letter to Lord Kimberley to convey fully the object I have at heart; and, although its terms are in some measure a repetition of what I have now stated to you, I think it well you should be apprised of its contents: —
"'My Lord, – I am anxious that no possible steps should be omitted which may be calculated to bring the proposal to found a Royal College of Music under the favourable notice of Her Majesty's subjects in the Colonies.
"'It appears to me that the communication which I request you in the accompanying letter to be good enough to transmit for the information of the Governments of the various Colonies might advantageously be supplemented by a somewhat more general distribution within these Colonies of the proceedings which have taken place here in connection with the movement.
"'The objects of such distribution would be to awaken public interest among all classes of Her Majesty's subjects more thoroughly than even proposals on the part of any of the Colonial Governments to extend their practical aid are calculated to do.
"'I have therefore directed further copies of these proceedings to be transmitted to you, and would again request that you will be good enough to forward these further copies, for distribution among such religious or educational institutions, Municipal or other Public Bodies, or private persons in the various Colonies, as may be thought most likely to help the project.
"'I trust that the efforts now being made here may meet with general support on the part of the Clergy of all denominations in the Colonies, and that they, as well as the Heads of Colleges and Municipal Bodies, may interest themselves in their several localities to make known the advantages offered by the establishment of the Royal College of Music, and especially that all these advantages (including free instruction) will be open as unreservedly to Her Majesty's Colonial subjects as to those residing in the United Kingdom.
"'Her Majesty's Colonial subjects have indeed already shown that the possession of musical talent exists among them in as great a degree as in any other nation, for they may claim with pride that they have produced one of the most accomplished vocalists of the present age.
"'I have in past years had occasion in many ways – especially through the medium of the various International Exhibitions over which I have presided – to notice the manifold benefits which have resulted from the combined action of the Colonies and the Mother Country in the development of commerce and the advancement of industrial and other material interests, and I cannot but think that the friendly rivalry of all portions of the Empire will not now be wanting in the effort to cultivate a refined and elevating pursuit which in all ages and among all nations has exercised so important an influence on national character, and done so much to strengthen the common love of country.
"'I have the more confidence in making this appeal, from the readiness and public spirit which the Colonies have always evinced to promote every object tending to strengthen the ties that now so happily unite us.
"'Your Lordship will, I am sure, be glad to learn that I have had the advantage of communicating with a number of gentlemen resident in several of the Colonies, who are temporarily in England, as well as with former Colonists permanently residing here, and they have kindly undertaken by their individual exertions to further the present more extended movement, which I trust will also meet with your Lordship's encouragement and approval.
"'I have the honour, &c.,
"'ALBERT EDWARD, P.'
"I have no doubt but that the different Colonial Governments will exercise a judicious discretion in the use of these papers, and that we may rely on their hearty co-operation and support in applying them to the best advantage.
"If there are any gentlemen present who may think themselves warranted by their connections with the Colonies in aiding to insure a friendly reception of my communication there, it will be a source of gratification both to me and my colleagues to view such efforts, so entirely in unison with our own, and to welcome them as fellow-workers in the same cause.
"I have thus endeavoured to place before you the object we have in view, and the means by which we hope to accomplish it, and I trust you will find both worthy of your support.
"I do not, therefore, presume to indicate the precise course which it might be expedient to adopt in any of the Colonies, believing that this had better be left to the practical sagacity and zeal of our friends there, who must be considered to have the best knowledge of what plans are most calculated to insure local success. I have, however, thought that a brief reference to some of the steps which are contributing to our success here, as well as an enumeration, in a comprehensive form, of some of the advantages which the College offers to Colonists, might be attended with advantage, and, at all events, serve as a groundwork for their operations.
"I have, accordingly, directed a memorandum in that sense to be prepared, which will be forwarded, with the other papers, to the proper quarter.
"In conclusion, I cannot but again express my cordial thanks to the many gentlemen connected with the Colonies who have favoured me with their attendance to-day, and repeat the expression of my hope, not unmixed with a large measure of confidence, that your encouragement and help may not be with-held from an undertaking which may, I trust, in the fulness of time prove to be one more of the many fibres in the silken cord that binds the Mother Country to her Colonial offspring.
"I would finally say that we shall be most happy to receive any practical suggestion from our Colonial friends either here or resident in the Colonies."
Lord Kimberley said that, as Colonial Minister, he would give every assistance in his power, by forwarding papers and information. Private individuals in the Colonies might be willing to found scholarships, and have the nomination of students; but any response on the part of the Colonial Governments must be from their free and spontaneous action.
The Prince of Wales said, at the opening of his speech, that he deemed this work as "one of national importance." It is because of the high "imperial" tone and spirit of the address, a spirit which it is pleasant to witness in all the Prince's public actions, that there is especial interest attached to this meeting at Marlborough House in 1882.
INAUGURATION OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC
May 7th, 1883
The ceremony of inaugurating the Royal College of Music took place on the 7th of May, 1883, in the presence of a small but select company. The building, hitherto used by the National Training School of Music, has rooms amply sufficient for teaching purposes, but not large enough for a large assembly. By permission of Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851, the use of rooms in the Albert Hall for choral and instrumental practice was granted to the College.
The Prince, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Princess Christian, was received by the Trustees, the Duke of Westminster, Lord Charles Bruce, Sir Richard Wallace, M.P., Sir John Rose, Sir George Grove, and the honorary secretary, Mr. Charles Morley. Among the company were many distinguished persons and eminent musicians. The Archbishop of Canterbury offered the following special prayer: "O God, who art the only author of order and beauty, Bless, we beseech Thee, this College to the perfecting of science and skill in Thy pure gift of Music; and grant that the good intent of its Founders may be so answered in the diligence and virtue of its students, that both the restful delight of man, and the glory of the Divine worship may be enhanced ever more and more; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen."
The collect, "Prevent us, O Lord," and the Lord's Prayer, closed the religious service. Sir George Grove, Director, then said: "It is now almost exactly fourteen months since your Royal Highness held the remarkable meeting which assembled at St. James's Palace on the 28th of February, 1882, and in which your proposition of the Royal College of Music was launched on the country. It may well be called remarkable – first, because of the place in which it was held; secondly, because of the lucid and exhaustive statement which your Royal Highness vouchsafed to address to it; thirdly, because for the first time in English history music was taken out of the domain of personal and professional questions to which it is too often relegated, and placed upon that national basis which its social and civilising powers entitle it to demand. Your Royal Highness's hearers embraced many of the most distinguished English musicians of the day, but these were not the main constituents of the meeting. The bulk of your audience consisted of the representatives of the counties, cities, and towns of England, the lords lieutenant, mayors, and town clerks of the United Kingdom, while surrounding your Royal Highness on the platform were His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the leader of the Government, the leader of the Opposition, the head of the Established Church, an eminent Scotch peer, and the Lord Mayor of London. A meeting so truly national in its aspect gave, if I may use a not inappropriate figure, the key-note of the movement.
"The hope so long entertained by your Royal Highness, and your advisers, that the chief existing musical institution of the country would join your movement, was unfortunately dissipated. But the absence of the Royal Academy of Music from your Royal Highness's project was counterbalanced by the active adherence of the towns and cities of the country which through their municipal officers, with hardly an exception, rallied as if by instinct round a movement so boldly conceived and so happily inaugurated. The key-note thus struck at St. James's Palace resounded through the country, and met with a ready and harmonious response. Meetings were speedily organised by the lords lieutenant and mayors in the provinces. In the short period of fourteen months forty-four meetings have been held – from Exeter, Plymouth, and Hastings, in the South, to Newcastle-on-Tyne in the North; from Swansea and Shrewsbury, on the one hand, to Lincoln and Norwich on the other; while the great manufacturing and commercial centres of Nottingham, Leicester, Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool, and Blackburn, have all testified their interest in your Royal Highness's new institution. In the City of London several meetings were held at the Mansion House, and a remarkable gathering of provincial mayors, under the sympathetic presidency of Sir. J. Whittaker Ellis, the then Lord Mayor, gave your Royal Highness an opportunity of again enforcing your views upon your audience. By these meetings, and by the personal exertions of your Royal Highness and your illustrious brothers, a sum of money, amounting to over £110,000, has been raised, of which nearly £5000 was due to the gracious action of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales."
Sir George Grove announced "the foundation already of many scholarships for tuition, fifteen of which include maintenance. Four of the scholarships were founded by private liberality, and two by Australian benefactors." He then announced "the names of the professors selected by the Prince of Wales for the teaching of the College, who were such as to give assurance as in the quality and range of the instruction. The piano is in the hands of Mr. Pauer, Madame Arabella Goddard, Mr. Franklin Taylor, and Mr. John Francis Barnett. To forward our interests, Madame Lind-Goldschmidt has emerged from her retirement, and singing will be taught by her, Mr. Deacon, and Signor Visetti. The violin is in the charge of Mr. Henry Holmes and Mr. Gompertz; the organ of Mr. Walter Parratt. Counterpoint and composition are taught by Dr. Bridge, Mr. Villiers Stanford, and Dr. Hubert Parry; while among the professors of other instruments are the honoured names of Harper, Lazarus, Thomas, and other ornaments of the English school. Declamation will be specially cared for, and for this the names of Mrs. Kendal and Mrs. Arthur Stirling are sufficient guarantee.
"The competition," continued Sir George Grove, "which has taken place throughout the country for the fifty scholarships is in itself an ample proof, if proof were needed, of the justness of your Royal Highness's idea. Following the method adopted in launching the institution, your Royal Highness appealed to the mayors, corporations, and Local Boards throughout the country, and in the Metropolitan districts to the Vestries, to make known the fact of the competition, and to organise the preliminary examinations, selecting the examiners from the must eminent local musicians. The result was as successful as might have been anticipated. The municipal buildings were put at the disposal of the College, and the best musicians were prompt to give their services as honorary local examiners to a task which in many cases involved great labour and severe sacrifice. Throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland 1588 candidates sent in their names as competitors. Of these 480 were sent up to the final examination, which was conducted personally in this building by the various professors in sections; and, lastly, before the entire Board of Professors and myself as Director. The result was the unanimous election of seventeen scholars for the pianoforte, thirteen for singing, eight for the violin, six for composition, two for the violoncello, one for the organ, one for the clarionet, one for the flute, and one for the harp. In addition to the fifty scholars, forty-two persons have entered their names as paying students in the College. Time will not allow me more than an allusion to various acts of private generosity by which the College has benefited. Prominent among them is the gift of the library of the late Sacred Harmonic Society, through Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen, and various other gifts of pianos, furniture, &c., by Sir Charles Freake, Messrs. Broadwood, Messrs. Erard, Messrs. Chappell, Messrs. Holland, Feetham, and others. The professors, scholars, and students are awaiting your Royal Highness's notice at the close of these proceedings, and I trust your Royal Highness will believe that we are all alike animated by a sincere and enthusiastic desire to carry out to the full those wise and gracious designs which have brought us to this first step in our career. That your Royal Highness may long live to preside over us and guide us in the right path is, Sir, our humble and earnest hope and prayer."
The Prince of Wales, in reply, said: —
"I have heard your address with pleasure, and I feel great gratification in opening to-day the Royal College of Music, in the promotion of which I have taken so deep an interest. I avail myself of this, the first public opportunity that has offered itself, of expressing the deep personal gratification I feel at the manner in which the country has replied to my appeal for aid in establishing the College. There is no class of Her Majesty's subjects capable of affording assistance to which I have addressed myself in vain. The Corporation of London and the London companies have led the way in giving pecuniary assistance; and I owe a debt of gratitude to the Mayors throughout the kingdom for the valuable aid they have afforded by granting facilities for holding local examinations essential to the proper selection of scholars. I thank these great bodies for their services, and I trust that I may yet expect from them further help in completing the task so auspiciously begun. I thank the donors of scholarships for their liberality. I thank the general public for the sums they have subscribed at a time when agriculture has been depressed and the prospects of trade have not been encouraging; and, above all, I thank the many kind friends who have responded so cordially and liberally to my appeal for assistance. I have noticed also with the greatest pleasure the contributions for Colonial scholarships that have been given by two eminent colonists, the one on behalf of the colony of Victoria, and the other on behalf of the colony of South Australia. The object I have in view is essentially Imperial as well as national, and I trust that ere long there will be no colony of any importance which is not represented by a scholar at the Royal College.
"Much, indeed, has been done, but I am aware that much remains to be done. I am conscious that I may be thought to have taken a bold step in beginning so great an enterprise with only the resources at present at my command. But I am unwilling that any delay should take place in giving effect to the generous intentions of those who have already contributed so liberally. I am sanguine enough to think that the example set during the last year by corporate bodies, representatives of the colonies, private donors, and the general public will be followed in ensuing years. Ours is an institution which admits of almost indefinite extension, for, wherever a scholarship is founded, we know now that we shall find a deserving candidate to hold it.
"Let me now pass to an account of what has been actually accomplished. Fifty scholarships have been established, of which thirty-five confer a free education in music, and fifteen provide not only a free education, but also maintenance for the scholars. Of these scholarships half are held by boys and half by girls. I observe with pleasure that the various districts from which the scholars are drawn indicate the widespread distribution of a taste for music, and an adequate cultivation of music throughout the United Kingdom. London, with its vast population, sends only twelve out of the fifty. The remaining thirty-eight come as follows: – twenty-eight from fourteen different counties in England, two from Scotland, six from Ireland, one from Wales, and one from Jersey. The occupations of the scholars are as various as the places from which they come. I find that a mill-girl, the daughter of a brickmaker, and the son of a blacksmith take high places in singing, and the son of a labourer in violin playing.
"The capacity of these candidates has been tested by an examination of unusual severity. Each of these scholars who returns to his native place furnished with the highest instruction in music will form a centre from which good musical education will spread around; while those who obtain musical engagements elsewhere will stimulate and encourage by their success the cultivation of music in the places whence they have come. Surely, then, it is not too much to expect that many years will not pass away before our College has so popularised music as to place England on a par with those countries on the Continent which have acquired the distinction of being called musical people.
"I feel, then, that one great object of a College of Music has been secured – namely, the discovery of latent musical ability and the extension to those who, with great natural gifts, have been blessed with little of this world's goods, of the opportunity of obtaining instruction in music, to say the least, not inferior to any which this kingdom can afford. That these words are not the language of exaggeration will be apparent to those who read the names of the eminent staff who have placed their services at the disposal of the College. Side by side with these scholars will be educated a group of paying pupils, who think that music is an art which, if worth studying at all, is worth studying well. They are, then, prepared to enter on a systematic course of instruction, of less severity and continuance than that of the scholars, but still far removed from the musical dilettantism of those who, induced by fashion, not by taste, to study music, make progress enough to torment themselves and distract their friends.
"I lay great store by the meeting of the various classes of society in pursuit of a common yet elevating study. Such a union softens asperities, inspires kindly feeling between various classes, and proves that all mankind are akin when engaged in an art which gives the highest expression to some of the best and purest feelings of the human heart.
"The observations I have hitherto made relate only to the Royal College of Music in its character of a teaching body. It is not proposed, however, that the functions of the College should be restricted to teaching. The charter under which we are incorporated provides that the council are to cause examinations to be held of pupils of the College, and of other persons who may present themselves for examination, and after examination to confer on those who deserve such distinctions the degrees of Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Music, certificates of proficiency, and other rewards. I propose that this power should be exercised by an independent board of examiners chosen by the Royal College in conjunction with the Universities, and after consultation with the great musical authorities of the United Kingdom. I trust thus to secure an examining body whose impartiality will be above suspicion and capacity beyond all question. I hope thus, through the instrumentality of the Royal College, to raise the standard of music throughout the United Kingdom and to create a central influence which may be beneficially exercised over all music-teaching bodies who recognise the advantage of a common system of examination.
"Beyond and above all this I trust, as I stated on a previous occasion, that the College will become the recognised centre and head of the musical world in this country. It has been a reproach to England that, with her vast resources, her large benevolence, her eagerness to instruct all classes of society in other branches of knowledge, one thing has hitherto been wanting – a national institution for music. Yet music is in the best sense the most popular of all arts. If that government be the best which provides for the happiness of the greatest number, that art must be the best which at the least expense pleases the greatest number. I trust that to-day we have removed the reproach. England, by a national subscription, has acquired an institution worthy to be called national, and with the establishment of such an institution we may look forward with confidence to the creation of a national school of music. England has the composers already; all she wants is a general centre, such as a Royal College of Music, to which they may resort for mutual aid and common inspiration.
"Such are the aims, not mean nor ignoble aims, proposed for the College which we open to-day. It remains for you, gentlemen of the council, to be careful that the aims are fully realised. A young institution requires fostering care and constant supervision. You must not relax your efforts, no pains must be spared to gain fresh support and obtain the establishment of new scholarships. We want much; we are, I trust, entitled to ask for much of the public. In addition to scholarships we want more extended premises, a music-hall, lodgings for our scholars, houses for masters, and all the appurtenances of a great College. I am sure I may trust to the generosity of the public to supply these wants; but you, gentlemen, must by your careful supervision make our institution worthy of support, and no efforts of mine shall be wanting to secure the objects we have in view.
"I will say only one word in conclusion. The establishment of an institution such as I open to-day is not the mere creation of a new musical society. The time has come when class can no longer stand aloof from class, and that man does his duty best who works most earnestly in bridging over the gulf between different classes which it is the tendency of increased wealth and increased civilisation to widen. I claim for music the merit that it has a voice which speaks, in different tones, perhaps, but with equal force, to the cultivated and the ignorant, to the peer and the peasant. I claim for music a variety of expression which belongs to no other art, and therefore adapts it more than any other art to produce that union of feeling which I much desire to promote. Lastly, I claim for music the distinction which is awarded to it by Addison – that it is the only sensuous pleasure in which excess cannot be injurious. What, more, gentlemen, can I say on behalf of the art for the promotion of which we are to-day opening this institution – an institution which I trust will give to music a new impulse, a glorious future, and a national life? Before I quit this room a further duty devolves on me – a most gratifying one, I admit. I am called upon to announce a most gracious act by which the Queen has been pleased to mark her interest in the opening of the Royal College. Her Majesty authorises me to say that she proposes to confer the honour of knighthood on Professor Macfarren and Dr. Sullivan. If anything could add to my satisfaction in making this statement it is this, that these honours are bestowed by the advice of the Prime Minister, who has taken so kind an interest in the promotion of the Royal College, and who could have devised no better mode of celebrating its opening than by recommending that honour should be done on this occasion to music by conferring knighthood on men so celebrated in their art as Professor Macfarren and Dr. Sullivan, and that honour should be done to our college by awarding a like distinction to its director, Dr. Grove, who, eminent in general literature, has specially devoted himself to the preparation and publication of a dictionary of music, and has earned our gratitude by the skill and success with which he has worked in the difficult task of organising the Royal College. I have only to add that the Prime Minister (Mr. Gladstone) by his presence to-day proves that neither the cares of State, nor the overwhelming press of business by which he is surrounded, prevents him from giving personal countenance to a national undertaking which, if I am right in what I have said, is calculated to advance the happiness and elevate the character of the English people."
