1850s–1870s: Music Education

Schneeweiss’s

New Brunswick’s high concentration of German immigrant teachers and musicians provided a wealth of opportunities to study music and attend concerts. Among the city’s musical educators were Austrian-born Franz Schneeweiss, the father of Rutgers treasurer Henry P. Schneeweiss, and his wife Mary. Between inspiring residents every Sunday with his organ and choir compositions in St. James Methodist and the German Reformed Churches, Franz Schneeweiss taught private lessons with Mary’s help in their George Street home.

New Brunswick Conservatory of Music

In 1872, Dr. Chester D. Hartranft, pastor of the Second Reformed Church, founded the Conservatory of Music in a brick building at the northeast corner of Hiram and Neilson Streets, opposite the First Reformed Church and the town clock. At the time, Hartranft’s concept of placing the study of music within reach of those of limited means was still a relatively new one. The conservatory emulated the European system of intensive weekly small classes in vocal and instrumental music, combined with study of German, French and Italian. Admission was contingent on the ability to play an instrument. From its annual catalogue for 1872–1873, we can ascertain that there were 12 professors who laid a “true musical foundation” for no less than 300 eager students.