The Infant Glee Club of 1878
Before the city’s grand theaters were established, a neighborhood girl organized Seattle’s first children’s choir in her mother’s parlor.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
SEATTLE, August 2, 1878. By invitation, with other friends, I was present at the first concert given by the 'Infant Glee Club,' and so well pleased were we all with the agreeable entertainment, that I feel that I must (through your paper) let the good people of Seattle know what has been done by the little folks in this vicinity, hoping that others may follow in their wake and do likewise. A short time ago, Mamie Boardman, a young Miss not yet 14, originated the idea of collecting the little ones in her immediate neighborhood together in her mother's parlor and teaching them to sing, and to the untiring perseverance of this talented young girl are we indebted for a pleasant, enjoyable surprise. Much praise is due her youthful choir for their proficiency. I am sure their young teacher must feel encouraged to continue in her good work. I will mention a few of the songs sung in costume: 'Little Tom,' by Tiny; 'Homeless to-night,' by Lizzie and Tiny. 'Little Brown Jug,' and 'Grandpa's Spectacles,' by Eddie and Freddie; 'I am not a gossip,' by Miss Mamie, the rendering of which would have done credit to older and more experienced artists. This little band propose to continue their concerts once a month to invited audiences until such time as they feel competent to sing in public before the people of Seattle, when, should some of the churches see fit to open their house, they will be glad to show all who will what the Infant Glee Club can do.
“Mamie Boardman, a young Miss not yet 14, originated the idea of collecting the little ones in her immediate neighborhood together in her mother's parlor and teaching them to sing.”
This charming account of youth-led community building echoes today’s enduring Seattle spirit of artistic DIY culture. Mamie Boardman’s parlor concert reminds us that even in a nascent, rugged 1878 port city, culture was a grassroots effort nurtured by neighborhood youth.
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