Web posted
Friday, March 5, 2004
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BRAINERD OPERA HOUSE
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Excellent Music Featured Through Brainerd History
An appreciation of and an opportunity to hear good music has been kept alive throughout Brainerd's history from an early Brainerd Musical club through the present Lake Area Music association.
At various times in the city's history, active organizations have existed including a Brainerd Philharmonic society, Brainerd Musical club, Junior Musical club, Brainerd Choral club, Community Concert series (now Lake Area association), Women's Association Minnesota Symphony Orchestra and others.
Among the most active promoters of music appreciation was Mrs. W. A. M. Johnstone, musician and teacher here from her marriage in 1900 until her death in 1936.
Mrs. Johnstone, daughter of Edward H. White, who came to this area when it was known only as "The Crossing" in the 1880's, graduated from the Detroit School of Music in 1897. She taught piano in Michigan before coming to Brainerd, continuing to teach here and hold concerts in her home.
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MRS. W. A. M. JOHNSTONE, daughter of Edward H. White, who came to Brainerd in 1880, and wife of W. A. M. Johnstone, who served over 40 years as clerk of court and was a captain in the Brainerd unit of the National Guard before the turn of the century. Mrs. Johnstone taught piano from 1900 to her death in 1936 here, and was instrumental in founding and continuing the major share of the area's musical organizations. (Photo submitted by daughter, Mrs. William Graham, piano teacher here for a number of years and elementary music supervisor from 1929 to 1932.)
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Among others, Mrs. Johnstone was instrumental in establishing the Brainerd Musical club in 1903, and the Junior Musical club in 1914. She was active as well in almost all of the concerts and presentations given in her day. When she died, a scholarship concert series was set up in her memory with outstanding artists appearing here and elsewhere, the proceeds from those events going to benefit student musicians.
The Brainerd Musical club, which later became the Brainerd Womans club, was organized by Mrs. George LaBar at the Johnstone home with Mrs. W. H. Gemmel elected president. There were 85 members.
The club brought guest artists here and sponsored local programs. In 1913, when Mrs. Henry I. Cohen was president, the group entered into the State Federated clubs.
A Junior Musical club for children from 10 to 14 years of age was initiated by Mrs. Johnstone and 19 youngsters at her home. In short order, the number grew to 90 music students of various local teachers. The group studied composers, mush history, sponsored guest artists. Records show among the aims of the Junior club was "to increase interest in music, a love for the kind that requires study and the taste and ability to distinguish real music from pretty sounds and jingles."
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+In an effort to revive the Brainerd Symphony Orchestra, a musical organization of popularity several years ago, a meeting of men and women musicians has been called.
+"The Symphony Orchestra lapsed into abandonment several years ago after enjoying wide popularity for some time. The orchestra consisted of about 30 pieces, and efforts will be made to increase the number in re-establishment of the orchestra." (From Brainerd Dispatch, 1933.)
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First officers of the Junior club were: Kathleen Gemmel, John Thabes, Margaret Webb and Alice Johnstone.
The Brainerd Choral club gave its first concert here on May 28, 1915, under the direction of J. Albin Winter. The group went on to win many awards.
A Community Concerts series was initiated in Brainerd in 1940, with the Don Cossack Chorus the first attraction. The organization was dropped during the war years, re-established in 1948, as Civic Music association with Walter Wieland as president. In late years, it has become the Lake Area Music association.
History shows music lessons being provided here as early as 1873, with various study groups organized through the years.
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