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<\/a><\/p>\nOregon Journal, Wednesday, August 30, 1922
\nNewberg Youth Has A Voice Of Rare Quality<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Discovery of a Newberg, OR., boy with a voice of wider range than any other voice in the world, with the single exception of \u201cBobbie\u201d Murray, the Tacoma phenomenon, was announced today by Dr. H.E.K. Whitney, director of the Whitney Boy chorus.<\/p>\n
Glenn Willard Bassett, 13 years old, son of Mrs. Olive D. Bassett of Newberg, is the professor\u2019s \u201cfind\u201d. He is able to reach D and even B flat above high C. \u201cBobbie\u201d Murray, when discovered by the music scouts, was able to reach E above high C, so there is practically no difference between the two.<\/p>\n
Willard, who goes generally by the name of Billy, was practically without training until nine months ago, when he joined the Whitney Boy chorus in Newberg. Even then he was just \u201cone of the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
NOTE FINE QUALITY<\/p>\n
Professor Whitney did not hear him in solo work until a few weeks ago. Then one night three Newberg boys sang, each a verse of a song, with the entire chorus joining at the end. The perfect quality of Willard\u2019s voice was noticed at this time.<\/p>\n
And one day Billy said to the professor: \u201cWhy, I can sing as high as \u2018Bobbie\u2019 Murray.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last Saturday at Newburg he was given a trial. His voice rose to unbelievable heights. Professor Whitney, astonished, brought Willard to Portland with him and gave him a hearing at Ellers Music house, Sunday. It was then he attained the E flat above high C.<\/p>\n
Now the problem is to give Billy the proper training, and Professor Whitney is seeking a godfather or godmother for him. Enough time has been wasted, he pointed out today, and it will soon be time for the boy\u2019s voice to begin to change. Billy is quite excited at learning of his own possibilities.<\/p>\n
HE IS AMBITIOUS<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bet I want to work,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He is the seventh in a family of nine children, seven girls and two boys. His father, who was an Oregon lumberman, is dead. He will be in the eighth grade in school this fall.<\/p>\n
\u201cour mother has taken some training at Eugene and Corvallis, and is quite an accomplished vocalist,\u201d said Miss Florence Bassett, Willard\u2019s sister, of Portland, who is chaperoning him during these exciting days. \u201cAll of us able to carry a tune, but there have been no unusual singers or musicians in the family.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Glenn Willard Bassett descends from William Bassett of Plymouth as follows: William Bassett and wife Elizabeth William Bassett (b. 1624) and wife Mary Rainsford William Bassett (b. 1656) and wife Rachel Willison William Bassett (b. 1681) and wife Abigail Bourne … Continue reading