1/12/2007

THIS WEEK'S INDIAN HELPER


For those who receive weekly Indian school newspaper transcriptions,
the photo at right appears in the center of the first page of the newspaper in the story, "Houses versus Tents."

This week's HELPER (Jan 10, 1896 edition) mentions "Major" who is a mystery figure since Supt. Pratt, promoted from Lt.(1879) to Capt. (1880) is still referred to as "Capt. Pratt" in this issue. He is not the "Major." In 1896 Richard Henry Pratt was active duty military as Superintendent of the Carlisle Indian School and continued in service through his retirement (dismissal, depending on how one reads the history).

On page 3 of this week's letter, we are introduced to the musical phrase previously published in the holiday issue from December 1895:
"Prof. Robert Tempest, the celebrated pianist of Philadelphia, who recently visited the school, has composed a march called "The Roosters of Carlisle" taking the refrain, no doubt, from the Indian music published in our Holiday Number. It is full of sparkle and originality and is dedicated to our band leader, Mr. Dennison Wheelock. He sent Mr. Wheelock a band arrangement which we hope to hear before long. The Invincible Debating Club has elected Prof. Tempest as an honorary member of their society. "
This particular phrase has been recorded by Brent Michael Davids for an unpublished CD in 1995. To view the scored line, click on the graphic (above, left) and it will open to a larger image. Below the music score, is a very grainy photo of the skating on the Conodoguinet Creek, about a mile west of the Indian School. This was a popular skating spot for town folk as well as for students from the Indian school.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

the musical score and the story behind it really caught my interest! i found myself wondering what it sounded like to mean so much to that boy. i printed some copies and took them to coyote trails, our local native american store. hopefully, it will catch the interest of one of the flute players and i will get to hear some music from the past! thank you for that.