Mr. Dohrmann, a native of Hesse, Germany, took his first piano lesson
when but six years old. At the age of eleven years he had made such
remarkable progress that his parents sent him to a seminary at Homburg
to further develop his musical talent and other studies. Dr. Wilhelm
Volekmar, an eminent organist, pianist and accomplished musician, was
the head of the musical department. Under his tuition he became a
brilliant pianist and a good organist. He was an indefatigable
student, not only in music but also languages--the foundations of
which were laid there. After remaining a few years there, his parents
decided to emigrate to America and came to San Francisco, where a son
had preceded them in 1854.
Dohrmann went to school there to perfect his knowledge of the English
language, and continued his studies in music, harmony, theory and
instrumentation for some time, under the guidance of Prof. R. Herold,
and later alone, when compelled to live in the country on account of
failing health.
In 1857 he located in Sacramento, where he remained one year, then
went to San Jose, where he was successful as a teacher, also as
director of singing societies. However, being ambitious to associate
with better musicians, and to be in a greater field for music, in 1861
he came to San Francisco. There he soon became a favorite with the
musicians as a pianist. In 1862 he made his advent as pianist in a
theater of which he became the leader of the orchestra later. Since
then he has been the musical director in a number of theaters in San
Francisco--Metropolitan, Montgomery street; American, Sansome street;
Alhambra (later Bush Street Theater); Shiels Opera house, Bush street;
Platts Hall, Montgomery street; a few performances at the California
Theater, in 1876; Grand Opera House, Mission street; Winter Garden,
Post and Stockton streets; Tivoli, Eddy street; in Oakland, Oakland
Tivoli; Cameron Hall, Fourteenth street; Oakland theater, later
Coliseum, Twelfth street; also was director of the Oakland Harmonic
society until he became director at the Grand Opera House, San
Francisco. Became organist at St. Patrick's church, March, 1864, then
located at the corner of Annie and Market streets, San Francisco,
later on Mission street. Held that position until May, 1899. During
the greater part of his musical career he has resided in Oakland,
where he is still busy as a teacher.
I.G. Drebler, in April, 1910, desired him to accept the chair of
musical director and critic of the Technique System Conservatory of
Music, Los Angeles. His business of so many years' standing could not
be properly adjusted for him to accept this advantageous offer and he
still continues his musical instructions in his home studio, Eighth
street, Oakland, and San Francisco.