Arthur, Alfred; music teacher; born, Pittsburgh, Pa., Oct. 8, 1844, son of Hamilton and Margaret Hanna Arthur; educated, Boston School of Music, married, Delaware, O., Dec. 12, 1871, Kate S. Burnham; two sons, Alfred Franklin and Edwin Denison; served from 1861 to July, 1865, in the 23rd Regiment, O. V. V. I., during the Civil War; at an early age studied flute and piano; studied voice with B. F. Baker, form and composition with Julius Eichberg and August Luch, also studied with Henry Brown and Mathew Arbbuck, noted soloists; was tenor in the Church of the Advent in Boston; moved to Cleveland and established himself as teacher of voice; was tenor at Trinity Cathedral and Second Baptist Church; in 1873 established The Cleveland Vocal Society, a famous organization noted for their productions of large forms, such as Rubenstein’s “Tower of Babel,” Berlioz’ “Damnation of Faust,” St. Saens’ “Sampson and Delilah,” etc.; visited Europe and studied methods of musical instruction; in 1885 founded The Cleveland School of Music; in 1887 went abroad again to study teaching methods under the best instructors, and selected studies and library for his school; in 1878 founded and directed the Bach Choir, and in 1892 the Sacred Music Society, both famous choirs, noted for their excellent work; director of Oratorio Society and conductor of five May Festivals; composer of a number of studies, and progressive studies for medium voice, 79 studies for low voice, and 70 studies for mezzo soprano, text book on Elementary Theory, also numerous songs and compositions for violin and piano; pres. and director The Cleveland School of Music.
