CHAPTER LXXIV.
MRS. VIRGINIA E. M. HUNT SCOTT.
The lady under whose name this narrative appears was born in New York City, August 26, 1861, the daughter of Holloway W. and Mary Rebecca Hunt, both of whom were born in Newark, N. J., and moved to New York some time prior to the advent of their daughter. Her father has been entirely deprived of the use of both eyes for more than thirty years, and possibly has gazed but little, if at all, upon his child of whom we now write. He has been in the employment of Trinity Chapel twenty-six years notwithstanding his physical defect. When she was about fifteen years old her mother, whose tender care a child most needs, was suddenly taken from her bv death. Virginia was for some time a pupil under Prof Charles L. Reason, and was in the graduating class when her mother died. Having to assume the duties of housekeeper for her father (who was blind), she was compelled to leave school before finishing, and was his only domestic dependence up to the time of her marriage, February 21, 1889. During this period she continued a fondness for music, having taken her first lessons at the age of nine years under Madam Magnan, who taught her with much success. Her second teacher was Miss Blanche D. Washington, whose instruction she received for seven or eight years, making most wonderful progress. There can be no question but that she owes much of her success to Miss Washington.
In 1881 she gave a concert of amateur performers which was a success in every way and greatly commented upon by the public, the proceeds of which were used in continuing her musical education.
After this lengthy course of private instruction she entered the New York Conservatory of Music, where two years were devoted to the organ with much success; also received instruction upon the piano, and in the meantime played for concerts and regularly for one church. She also taught music as early as her sixteenth year. She has been organist at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church for over ten years, where she plays a very fine and powerful organ of modern make for the largest colored congregation in New York City. The history of the church for which she plays, as well as that of herself, points out very remarkable instances of Afro-American progress.
About eight years ago (1884) she entered a piano contest with Miss Minnie St. Clair and Miss Viola Townes (now Mrs. Pilkington) for a gold watch. All three of these ladies occupied high rank in musical circles and were well prepared for the contest. However, after mature consideration, judgment was rendered in favor of Miss Virginia E. M. Hunt (Scott), to whom was awarded the prize.
In 1885 she attended the renowned Dr. Palmer's Choral Union, where she was the only colored participant in a class of between two and three hundred singers.
She is still rising in eminence as a public performer, and is doing much to elevate her race by teaching others to skillfully manipulate instrumental keys.
Beginning life in humble circumstances, with all the discouragements that beset her pathway, she now stands high in the estimation of the very large church which she still serves and of which she is now a member, reflecting credit upon the race, and at the same time affording a living example of the possibilities, for those upon whose childhood it may seem that fortune has not smiled.
MRS. ROSA D. BOWSER.