Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-01-02
Shenandoah Herald !.
WOODSTOCK, VA.
THURSDAY. JANUARY 2, 1868.
~The Musical Convention.

Uhy evening. ne morning ana afternoon
meetings of each day were devoted TO the re-
bearsal of the pieces intended to be sung at
The grand concerts on Thursday and Friday
evenings.
The second annual meeting Of the Shenan
doah Musical Association was held in the E.
Nj. Church. South, on Christmas day, for the
purpose of electing officers for the ensuing
year and the transaction of other business
Ghs following officers were chosen:-Wm.vH
Bargelt ~President;@J Gatewood, p. Nina
gruder, d. aSpilser, Vice Presidents; Geo,N
Miley, Treasurer; VIM. II. Miller, Secretary.
i'he next quarterly meeting of the Association
viii be held at Mount Calvary on the last Sat
nrday in March next.
At ten o'clock the business Of the Associa-
on was suspended for the purpose of hearing
the address prepared for the occasion by Prof.
h NJ. Mcintosh, of Farmville, Va, the author
OF Tabor" sc. As literary production, it
WAS fine effort-polished, chaste, eIod uent
and logical, and eminently practical. After
giving an interesting historical sketch of the
divine art, the speaker discussed the subject
of music in its practical bearings. Ii should
be regarded not only as an accomplishment or
refinement Of our moral being but as neces-
sity in cur - stem of education. No man or
woman can be said to be thoroughly educated
whose physical, mental and moral powers are
not developed to the extent Of their capacities.
The development of the finer feelings and sen!
oil Of IN
the purity, happiness and well-being Of the
social circle as the acquisition of languages,
mathematics, &C., is to the successful prose
cation of the business affairs Of life. The
national airs and songs of people are the
f:lre indices Of its moral character. But
cur efforts chiefly devoted TO the dissent
nation of KNOWLEDGE Of sacred music as a
part of religious worship in our churches. In
an intelligent christian community this branch
CT the subject needs no defence. Good sing
ing is as.e.sential to the spirituality of reli-
gious worship as good preaching and fervent
praying. "
We were particularly pleased with Prof.
McIntoshs remarks relative ~ the. utility Of
cLoirs and choir-singing in churches. He
said it was the duty Of choirs to lead and not
\ 70 lupersede congregational singing. Almost
\every regular congregation in the land has
Nome one, deemed proficient in the art, to CON
vet the singing. 1t is easier for choir to
Nhis !hln for q single Individual He also
\ed that ii was as much the duty of the
,NSegafion to know how to sing as the choir
mes selected by the choir should be al
= ts 1 istetg, tte Tire character of the hymns
and the nature of the services
But to return to the Convention. Accord
ing to the programme previously published,
shc proceedings Of the Convention were con-
Quoted by. Prof. Mcintosh. Mr. Everett hav-
ing been prevented by the death of q near re-
laiigefrom attending the Convention, his place
vas supplied by Prof. Evans, of Harris0nburg,
:, 10 performed on the organ to the satisfac-
ton Of all present. There were probably
more than q hundred in attendance at the re
hear-als, who were drilled for three days by
dlese gentlemen, during which time they rem
fered correctly some of the most difficult an
III ms and sentences. And when it is consid-
essd that but few of the singers had ever prac
feed some of the most difficult of these pieces:
hat they had not been instructed before rela-
tive to the oratorical rendition of the language
the peculiar character Of the sentiment, re
nnring every degree Of mvdulatioD ofthe voice
anil expression Of tone, the performances re-
sfactedno little credit upon both pupils and
Instructors. Indeed, after a few examples and
illustrations by the distinguished conductor
ard his less skilful and accomplished as
sistant, the sentiment Of the most beautiful
and expressive hymns and sentences was
bought out with fine effect
This is the first Musical Convention of any
magnitude ever held in the Valley, and per
hnps in the state, far as we know And
it will have happy effect upon. the communi
y, stimulating those connected with it to the
acquisition of higher degree of knowledge,
and Prompting others to devote more attention
to this sublime art. And the membership of
our county Association will be increased 10
double its present number, and every section
of thf county will doubtless be numerously re-
presented at the next -Annual Convention.
st11e terms upon which applicants are
admitted are not generally known, it may be
proper in this connection to say, that any lady
or gentleman who has sufficient knowledge of
the rudments to read and sing piece Of music
correctly, is eligible to membership Applica
tions may be made at any of the meetings of
the Association, which are held quarterly,
through any member. Male applicants are
required to pay an admittance fee of 25 cents /;
ladies' are admitted as honorary members, no
fee being exacted. All the teachers of music
within the jurisdiction of the Association, and
who hold membership in it, are subject TO its
regulations; and pesons wishing to become
Teachers within its Jurisdiction, must lay their
applications before fae Association, be exam
ined by committeappointed for that pur-
pose, and IT found pffcient, certificate is
granted IN due FORM This requirement is to
guard against imposibn and to give to the
t,;ru non,