Where did the residents of Houston listen to music in the nineteenth century?

Nothing has really changed from the days of Roman bread and circuses to the present. Entertainment is something that people will always crave, as well as some food. Likewise, it has been like this in Houston since the city’s inception. Therefore, everyone has sought entertainment based on their social status and financial resources. Music has been one of the few sources of spiritual comfort available back in the day. So, let’s take a look back at the nineteenth century and see how, where and what sort of music Houstonians listened to. Find out more at houston-trend.

The first music in saloons and taverns

As everyone knows, Houston was founded in 1836. With the arrival of the first settlers, music appeared in the city. Every company at the time had at least one person who played the violin, flute, guitar or harmonica. As a result, the first settlers who built Houston’s first buildings sang cheerful songs during breaks and directly while working to have fun and brighten their otherwise dull leisure time.

The city expanded and developed. As a result, ambitious entrepreneurs immediately established venues where you could drink a glass or two after a long day’s work and gamble, all while listening to music, of course. With the emergence of saloons and taverns, the first professional singers and musicians began to arrive in Houston. The first idols and beloved songs began to form among the local audience. The repertoire was simple, consisting primarily of folk songs, dancing rhythms and popular music from that era.

Home gatherings with music

In the nineteenth century, many families began acquiring musical instruments like the piano or violin. Often, a family, relatives or a larger group of friends and colleagues gathered to listen to singing accompanied by musical instruments possessed in the household. Home concerts and musical evenings were a reasonably common type of entertainment in Houston. Children were even taught to play instruments specifically for this purpose, so they could show off to their neighbors and demonstrate their higher social status.

Dance floors

Houston boasted numerous dance floors where locals gathered for live music parties. The end of the nineteenth century marked the beginning of the peak popularity of this sort of entertainment. The tradition of open-air dance floors persisted until the middle of the twentieth century. Such activities were an important component of the city’s social life, promoting cultural development and cohesion of citizens.

Public events and festivals

The next phase in the city’s development, and the creation of a new way to listen to music, was the organization of a variety of citywide events such as fairs and festivals. During such events, a stage was always set up where local stars or invited guests could perform. 

Festivals evolved over time, serving as a forum for local musicians and vocalists to showcase their singing talents. Musical groups frequently performed at public festivals, fairs and parades. Orchestras or ensembles performed marches, dance compositions and other popular works. Interestingly, the tradition of conducting annual festivals has survived to this day, and the basic context of their staging has changed little since then.

Churches as hubs of musical culture development

Surprisingly, churches have emerged as the focal points of Houston’s musical scene. Houston’s first church building was built as early as 1842. Before then, numerous congregations convened in the old Texas Capitol, where believers aligned themselves for a traditional hymn-singing procedure. Subsequently, when the main religious denominations received their premises, churches held services with choral singing and joint hymns of praise to the Lord and more. In addition, classical music concerts in the city were frequently organized by churches. These events were attended by well-known singers and musicians from other states.

With the support of the Church in Houston, only three years after its founding, the German Singing Society was established in 1839. Additionally, in 1872, the Houston Philharmonic Society was founded. It already had 30 mixed voices at the time, and would soon grow to include even more. The society’s vocalists performed choral pieces as well as opera oratorios.

Then, with the support of church groups, the Houston Choral Club was founded in 1885, followed by the Male Quartet Club, which operated from 1894 to 1915, and the Treble Clef, the first female singing society established in the Lone Star State in 1895. Treble Clef began as a women’s society for those who enjoyed listening to classical music and organizing events. However, since the aforementioned events occurred rarely, members of the circle began to learn to sing and play musical instruments. Through their efforts, the club’s women aimed to draw new generations to music, nurture young talents and even contribute to the establishment of educational programs that were not limited to music.  

According to the archives, the Houston Baptist Church’s first organ was acquired by the community in 1846, but it was stolen from the church premises and thrown into the bay under unknown circumstances. The next organ was bought only in 1855. The Mason & Hamlin organ-harmonium became popular and was found in practically every church. 

Houston has its own designer and organ master, F. Hesse. However, not a single sample of his work remains in the city. 

Life is a theater

The first theater in Houston was the Houston Grand Opera, which officially opened in the 1850s. When the urban elite got the opportunity to attend an actual cultural institution, it was akin to a cultural revolution. In 1860, a new institution, Perkins Hall, emerged. The theater structure was built at the corner of Franklin and Main Streets. The institution’s opening was the event of the century, celebrated with performances by various singers, groups and entire ensembles. The stage was open to both local and guest performers. Over the next few decades, Perkins Hall became the main venue for all major theatrical events in the city. The theater welcomed such American stars as Maurice Barrymore and Buffalo Bill Cody.

However, Perkins Hall was not the only nineteenth-century theater in Houston. At the time, several similar institutions were established in the city, and they became cultural hubs with varying degrees of success. Fires were a major issue at the time. Because most of the structures were made of wood, even a small spark could be devastating. Such a disastrous event occurred in 1886. The fire destroyed many Houston structures, including the legendary Perkins Hall and the nearby New Variety Theatre.

Opera and orchestral music

The city continued to grow and develop. As the population grew, there was a greater demand for cultural events. The primitive music of saloons could no longer satisfy the needs of all Houston residents. The city’s elite sought more. As a result, the first opera performance took place in 1867. This groundbreaking event was staged by members of the Roncari Opera Troupe. Two years later, the renowned Marie Friederici Opera Troupe appeared on the Houston stage. As a result, not only did American opera performers visit Houston on tour, but European opera troupes did as well.

Orchestral music in Houston dates back to 1868, the time when a small symphony ensemble was formed at the Exchange Saloon. It has become the cultural symbol of the city and a favorite among music enthusiasts. Outstanding orchestras frequently visited the city on tour. Houston became acquainted with Paderewski, McCormack, Kreisler, Heifetz, the Chicago Opera and the New York Philharmonic.