Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-11-23
Are Choir Singers Quarrelsome !

We take from the New York Musical Re-
view defence of Chor-Singers from the
charge Of being more rascible than other peo-
pie. Its suggestions are worthy of observation
The gusto with which hard things are said
about chOr-singers would, in better cause, be
refreshing. One would think that the donation
Of their time, services, and olientimes money,
for the good ofihe congregation, should exempt
their private foibles from the animadversion 10
which the publicity Of their position exposes
them; but in too many instances this is far from
being the case. The clergyman if he thinks Of
them at all. regards them only as hornets
nest into which il is neither safe nor agreeable
to put his head. If, when buffeted ON The one
cheek BY the elders, deacons, and members Of
the congregation generally for delinquencies,
imaginary as well as real, they do not meekly
turn the other also; if, in short, they do not
exhibit superhuman stoicism TO criticism.
whether made in a manner uncaled for or un-
kind-they at once set down as the most
unmanagesble, irascihle class of persons in the
world Now, we do not deny that singers
have faults as well as other people. They
sometimes entertain no higher ideas of the
soemnity and importance Of public praise than
do congregations that expect them to sing sa-
cred words while subscriptions are being taken,
the contribution-box passed, and other tedious
and perhaps dsagreeable things done; some
times, We are sorry 10 confess, their behavior
IS light, trlfling, and unbecoming the honse Of
God; though, if we may trnst our own obser-
vation, instances Of this are much more rare
than is generally supposed. But even admit
ting all this, we are BY means prepared, with
ont examination, TO accept the commonly-re-
ceived opinion that singers are more irascibIe
geable than other organizations. Why should
they bel Is there anything in The physical,
mental, or moral conformation of a singer that
makes him monsters We have never dis
covered it. To be musician, it is true, one
must have delicate and weIl-deveoped sensi-
tivity-must feel keenly else he cannot give ex-
preston TO musical sentiment and passion. But
refinement Of sensibility does not necessarily
make man quarrelsome. If yon could bring
together from all the chors Of the land, the per-
sons who make trouble in them, they would
turn out 10 be, not tho ones who have the most
music in their souls, not the genuine lovers of
the beautiful not the most intelligent and re-
fined, not those who have an elevated concep-
tion Of devine praise: but they will be found TO
belong to one of the following classes; lst A
stupid, thck-headed class of persons who have
no musical appreciation, and are constantly
treadlng on peoples toes because they don't
know any better. I'd. Persons who have
but who love their own petty plans Of se!f-ag-
grandizement more. These are the ones who
though unfit to occupy the head seats, care
more for them than those do who really are fit.
3. A branless and consequently narrow-mn-
ded class Of fops and would-be bellies, who pre-
tend to be the very quin,escence of refinement,
but who seek to conceal their ignorance and in
ability to read the music selected by the choris-
ter by turning up their delicate noses at it, and
resorting TO smelling bottles and fidgets as
means Of indicating the terrible martyrdom
their musical snscep,ibiities are undergoing
These are the differentcIasses of one-sided,
ill-balarced persons who make trouble in choirs.
moments reflection will show that these
three classes put together, bear very small
proportion 10 the genuine choir-singers who
sing because they love music, love the praises
Of Gods house, and esteem il privilege no
less than duty to join their hearts and voices
in service SO richly fraught with holy Joy. It
is unjust and absurd, therefore, to fasten upon
the great body Of sensible, loving choir-singers,
the opprobrium that belongs only TO a few
cross-grained beings who are totally unfit 10
take part in so solemn and dignifed a service
1t is unfortunately the case, however, that the
slightest difficulty in a choir. is from The very
relation of that body to the general assembly,
blazoned all over the congregation, while the
seasons Of pleasant practice, The kind and affec-
tionate regards, and The many. many hours of
unalloyed pleasure that gid choir's unwriten
history, are unknown and unappreciated BY the
great mass Of the people. This accounts for
The gross injustice done them as class
injustice that, if done to any other class Of the
community would meet with prompt and we'll
merited indignation. Until heart-burnings
and jealousies cease to occur among lawyers,
doclors and merchants; in political organiza-
tions. temperance societies, aye, even in the
churches of the Most High, let us hear no more
about choir-singers being more irascible or
unaimable than other people,
Singular Couple.
Along with my brother, who was collect
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