Tea honors African-American musician

According to buglist Stephen K. Charpie, the special instrument has not been heard in this century. There are only two of these instruments in the world: one is in the Smithsonian Museum, while the high-pitched keyed bugle Charpie played was from the collection of Dr. Joe Utley of Spartanburg, S.C.

The ``New Bird Waltz'' was written by Francis ``Frank'' Johnson, one of the first great African-American musicians in this country. Sunday marks the 204th anniversary of Johnson's birth.

Charpie and others are working diligently to restore Johnson to his prominent place in American music history. Johnson scored a number of ``firsts'' in his lifetime: he was the first African-American to publish music in this country; the first African-American to put on formal band concerts; the first African-American to open a school of music study for African-Americans; the first American of any color to tour Europe; the first American to introduce the ``promenade concert'' in this country, better known today as a ``pops'' concert; and the first American to perform integrated musical concerts.

In the 1820s, Johnson was ``remarkably successful'' in Philadelphia, Charpie told the audience. In 1824 he achieved national prominence when he was commissioned to write music for General Lafayette's visit to the city. During his lifetime, Johnson also faced discrimination. On Dec. 24, 1842, he was arrested ``for being a free Negro with no license to be in Missouri.'' The band was fined $10.

Johnson wrote a number of ``tone poems'' or ``tone paintings,'' pieces of music that, among other characteristics, imitate sounds.

On Jan. 24, 1822, a Philadelphia orphanage burned down, in which many of the children were killed. Soon thereafter, Johnson wrote ``Philadelphia Firemen's Cotillion,'' a piece of music that showed the manner in which firemen communicate the alarm.

Wendell Boyd of the Danville Fire Department made a presentation about fire companies in Johnson's day, describing the leather/wool fire uniforms and the ladder companies and hose companies.

Boyd also told about the officer designations shown in a sheet music frontispiece: the officer had with him a speaking bugle, used to project his voice; and a fire plug.

The fireman displayed daily log books dating from 1910-1958, which he said have been archived. Boyd joined Charpie on the ``Philadelphia Firemen's Cotillion,'' shouting ``Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!'' at different intervals.

The Chautauqua Tea program contained a letter from Kentucky Gov. Paul E. Patton. In it, the governor called Johnson ``a great African-American musician.''

``At an event which honors great, traditional brass music, it is altogether fitting that Stephen Charpie tell the story of Francis Johnson,'' Patton wrote.

``His contributions to the world of music and his many `firsts' as a composer and performer make him a worthy recipient of the tribute in his honor at this event. Francis Johnson's story is one that needs to be told so that we remember this great man.''

Patton also commended The Great American Brass Band Festival, which begins this evening. ``This event has taken the lead in preserving the music of the brass instrument greats and keeping alive the love for the excitement and pleasure it brings to all who hear it.'' 

Staff Photo by Jennifer Brummett
Musician Stephen K. Charpie played a very rare -- only two exist in the world -- tortoise shell keyed bugle from the collection of Dr. Joe Utley of Spartanburg, S.C. at the Chautauqua Tea program Thursday. Both Dr. and Mrs. Utley were in attendance at the program.

Festival-goers can play their part