Ideas for integrating Music

Music was a very important part of the Chautauqua.  There were musical groups, such as the one shown above, soloists, musicians and opportunities for the attendees to participate in coral groups.  

Clickon the leaves for Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag 

Click on the horn player for John Phillip Sousa's Star's and Stripes Forever

The following song was published in the July 18, 1893 edition of the daily newspaper, the Lake Madison Chautauquan.

Chautauqua   
by R.B.
(tune Columbia, Gem of the Ocean)

Chautauqua the Gem of Dakota
That shine by Lake Madison's fair shore,
The shrine of each student's devotion
The alter of Music and Love,
Where refinement and learning are holding
Firm hand-clasp, while voices unite
In singing the praise of Chautauqua
Chautauqua diffuser of light.

Chorus:
Three cheers for Chautauqua the good,
Three cheers for Chautauqua the true,
To the light of thy truth brightly burning,
Three cheers for Chautauqua the true.

Chautauqua, the sun never clouded,
Whose light never fades into night,
But sweeps 'round the world in its splendor,
With rays ever broad'ning and bright.
Shedding sunlight o'er lives that were darkened,
Giving songs to the lips that were dumb,
Filling hearts with sweet peace and contentment
When they life giving radiance doth come.

Chorus

Chautauqua, O bright is they promise
Of fruitage both noble and rare;
With learning broad tree overspreading
It bloom-laden branches so fair.
Like the tree that drops fruit ever golden,
While it nods with the blossoms of spring,
So they truths fall in riches fruition,
While fresh blossoms new promises bring.

Chorus

Another Chautauqua song:  The Chautauqua Hymn, from the July 8, 1892 edition of the daily newspaper, the Lake Madison Chautauquan.

The Chautauqua Hymn

by Rev. Wm. Fielder
(tune My Country 'Tis of Thee)

Chautauqua, 'tis of thee,
Fair realm of harmony,
Of thee we tell.
Beneath thy lovely trees,
Amid thy balmy breeze,
In comfort, joy and ease,
We gladly dwell.

Chautauqua, bright and pure,
From voices that allure,
Thy streets are free.
Thy lakelet teems with life,
Thy groves with mirth are rife,
And manly is they strife
For victory.

Of teachers, ripe and rare,
Of speakers grand and fair,
Thou hast a host.
They youthful love thy sports,
They noble throng thy courts,
And judging by thy works,
Men of thee boast.

Chautauqua, thee we prize,
And like thee we would rise,
To heights of power.
May heaven o'r the bend,
May they days never end,
But always may'st thou lend
Light to the hour.

Original Song

As you see, the tunes were familiar.  Have your students make up a song about their school and set it to a well-known tune.  Some of the easier tunes are Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Mary Had A Little Lamb.  For more familiar tunes go to Sing Along Songs.

Example:
(sung to Mary Had A Little Lamb)

Our school's name is Washington
Washington, Washington.
Our school's name is Washington
Washington is best!

 

Listen to the Performers

Musical groups of all kinds performed at the Chautauqua.  There were gospel singers, soloists, bands and the new ragtime music.  The Internet has a number of excellent resources to help us understand American composers and types of music.