W. E. Pettiford, founder of the Alabama Penny Savings Bank, Birmingham, Alabama.

The following condition of the Colored American opportunities will be of assistance in suggesting fields of leadership:

20The number of colored men now engaged in business and professions are as follows:

20

This is close to 25 percent of the entire colored population of the United States.

But this enormous field of opportunity, is not the limit. You have aspirations toward music and the fine arts—singers, painters, sculptors, actors and poets. Here are a few leaders to be followed by you or your children, relatives or friends:

MUSIC COMPOSERS AND PIANISTS

Harry T. Burleigh, New York, composer of “Jean,” “Perhaps.”

Robert Cole and J. Rosamond Johnson, New York, musical setting to Longfellow’s “Hiawatha,” “Idyll for Orchestra,” “Dream Lovers,” (operetta).

William H. Tyers, composer of “Trocha,” a Cuban dance and other noted compositions.

Will Marion Cook, New York, “The Casino Girl,” “Bandana Land,” etc.

De Koven Thompson, Chicago, composer of “Dear Lord, Remember Me,” “If I Forget,” etc.

James Reese Europe, founder of the Clef Club Symphony Orchestra.

Among pianists is Miss Hazel Harrison, of La Porte, Indiana, who is making her mark as a student of the piano under the celebrated greatest living pianist, Ferrucco Buconi, of Berlin.

21These and other leaders in their art succeeded many illustrious composers. And you are called upon to prepare to follow the present leaders.

21

VOCAL ARTISTS AND PRIMA DONNAS

Remember the Black Swan, that wonderful prima donna whose voice had a range of three octaves and was frequently compared with Jenny Lind at the height of her fame.

Madam Marie Selika, of Chicago, achieved enormous success in Europe, a marvelous singer whose voice “trilled like a feathered songster,” and whose “Echo Song” has not 

 Prev. P 7/308 next