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Show 28 Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters , In 1881 Smyth moved from Salt Lake City to Sanpete County, locating in Fountain Green, where he home-steaded and continued teach school, direct music, and organize choirs. I have tried find out just why a man so gifted in music should move from Salt Lake City, the music center of the State, to central Utah. One of Smyth's co-workers for twelve years said that "Smyth was pushed out of Salt Lake City by the jealousy of other musi cians who were closer to the leaders of the Latter-day Saint Church." Another intimate friend and associate said, "Jealousy existed, but I don't care to comment further." to to The Move To Manti In 1886 Smyth was induced to move from Fountain Green to Manti, through the efforts of Bishop William T. Reid of Manti, who conceived the idea of getting Smyth the position of recorder in the Manti Temple, and also get the benefit of his musicianship. This position of recorder Smyth held from 1888 until 1908 which position offered him the first financial ease he had felt since leav ing Enqland. In addition to being the temple recorder, Smyth also had charge of the music in the Temple. Soon after moving to Manti, he was appointed to direct the Manti Tabernacle Choir which he did successfully for the next fifteen years. During this period he established a choral tradition which is still being felt for good. He endeared himself into the hearts of his choir mem bers as few directors can do, and those still living, many whom the writer has contacted personally, revere his memory and respect him deeply as an outstanding director and musician. Picture for a moment, a choir rehearsal during the period around 1890. In place of electric lights, the old coal-oil lamps were used around which would fly thousands of bugs and insects. The building was heated in the winter time by a large stove and a long row. of stove pipes running from the stove to the chimney 'Sflu. The choir members would seat themselves around this stove and a curtain would be drawn around the group to conserve as much heat as possible. The practice continued for two hours, and the time was divided between the study of music notation, and learning new songs. Much of the music used was laboriously written out by Smyth, or his choir members, from a single printed copy. Music was not as easily had in those days as now. Smyth arranged and wrote practically all of his organ and orchestra ac companiments for something more than 200 numbers. The first edition of the Latter-Day Saints' Psalmody was pub lished in 1889. but Smyth would not use the book for the follow ing reason. "Smyth was appointed chairman of the committee to compile the Latter-Day Saint Psalmody. At that time, much music was being published in the Juvenile Instructor. much of it of an inferior nature in the estimation of Smyth. George Q. Cannon ... ... ... ... |
