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San Antonio piano teacher composes polka
On this day in 1847, San Antonian Simon Menger, musician and soap maker,
composed the Mis[s] Paschal Polka. Menger, a native of Thuringia,
taught in Europe for many years before immigrating to Texas as a member of
Henri Castro's colony. In June 1847 he moved to San Antonio to teach
piano. The next month he founded the San Antonio Männergesang-Verein,
possibly the first formally organized male singing society in Texas.
During this period he also composed several pieces for piano, including
the Mis[s] Paschal Polka and simple études for his students. In
1850 he opened a soap and candle factory, San Antonio's first industrial
enterprise. Though his time was increasingly taken up with his business
affairs, Menger played an important role in the development of musical
institutions in San Antonio. He died in 1892.
- Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
- MENGER, JOHANN NICHOLAUS SIMON
- GERMAN MUSIC
- SAN ANTONIO, TX
- CASTRO'S COLONY
- Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
- Last surviving signer of Texas Declaration of Independence dies (1895)
- Pioneer Methodist ministers hold camp meeting on Caney Creek (1834)
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