SCHAEFER, Oscar W.

SCHAEFER, Oscar W. (Dubuque, IA, Apr. 15, 1874--Clearfield, PA, 1930). The father of Schaefer came to the United States from Germany. He had worked as a frescoer to the royal court. His mother, a Von Enden, came from a titled family prominent in Germany into the 1930s. (1)

As a student in Dubuque schools, Schaefer showed great musical talent. At the age of nineteen, he was given the position as director of the orchestra for a traveling opera company. He became a musician and student of music in Chicago until the age of twenty-six when he traveled to Germany to continue his violin and musical studies. He graduated the the prestigious Liepizig Conservatory for years later. He continued into post-graduate work for a fifth year while traveling during the summer.(2)

After completing his studies, Schaefer was chosen as the concert master of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Liepizig, a very unusual appointment for a foreign student. During his stay in Germany he played with several leading string quartets and studied violin with Alexander Sebald, one of the continent's most prestigious instructors. Prior to returning to the United States, Schaefer served as the guest conductor with several regimental bands in France. (3)

His return to the United States led to his selection as concert Master of the Savage Grand Opera Company of New York. He later held positions in a number of theaters including three years as the director of the GRAND THEATRE orchestra from 1909 to 1912. During this time, new amusement policy for UNION PARK was announced in 1910. Evenings would no longer be devoted to the presentation, by the Park Players, of one play. The Players instead would be seen in a series of one-act comedies. Guerrero and Carmen, the "Violinist and Harpist" would also entertain as would the orchestra of Oscar W. Schaefer which, in addition to providing music in the theater, would give an open air concert in the Rustic Stand every evening. (4)

He moved from Dubuque to Peoria. After three years, he moved again to Galesburg and then in 1917 to Clearfield. (5)

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Source:

1. "Won Prominence in Musical World," Telegraph-Herald and Times Journal, December 28, 1930, p. 3

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. New Amusement Policy at the Park," Telegraph Herald, July 3, 1910, p. 5. Online: http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BW9CAAAAIBAJ&sjid=86oMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5533,8254906&dq=union+park+dubuque&hl=en

5. "Won Prominence..."