The New York herald., 1869-06-04
THE PRICE OF CHURCH MUSIC.

Cav and Festive Basso In the Organ Loft
The Cost Of sunday Singing-The HumOrs Of
the Choir.
Rev. Sidney A. Corey, a preacher Of considerable
emnence, scholarly and refined looking gentle
man and pastor OF the Baptist church on Lexington
avenue, between Thirty sixth and Thirty seventh
streets, found himself, last January, in want Of
bassO voice to complete the quartet Of singers In the
choir OF his church. Mr.. Andrew ID, Collins, gen.
tleman OF artistic appearance, with Hellenic mus
tache placid marble brow, tight1ttng kid gloves
and formidable scarf pin presented himself to the
reverend doctor as candidate for the vocal va.
cancy, and after giving him touch Of
his quality by rafting or q stave OF
"old Hundred" in oasso proft,ndo profound
STYLE was duly engaged, per written contract, 10
sing Tor year for the sum OF two hundred dollars
or three dollars and eighty and half cents
Sunday, which included morning and evening SER
vice. The Doctor liked the voice OF Collins, yet not
so much the Hoice as the manner OF the man. who
rlvaled even the admired Lablache In forestalling
criticism before he uttered note. The Doctor, az
the suboined evidence shows, makes no pretensions
to being Judge OF music, but there was something
in the voice OF Mr. Collins, as he warbed the touch.
ing strains OF "Old Hundred" and accompanied IL
by an impressive oscillation OF the body united 10
captivating elevation OF the eyebrows, that wrought
sns Bocor oons Was on fortSSn @ engaged
but Collins, being lawyer, thought 1t prudent TO
Doctor to pay hin hs 5000, whether his voice edited
the congregation compelled to listen TO him or not
Four or five Sundays passed away, and the choir
minus Collins began TO express their aversion to the
new basso The ladies' complained or MS over
amorous ways, and OF his dOuoe enendes IN the rem
derlng OF the psalms. The organist threatened TO
leave II the new basso was retained and finally the
Doctor himself in the midst OF his sacred ceremonies
finding his ADMIRED basso talked loud enough In the
organ loft TO fill the ears OF the congregation, called In
the services OF policeman and had our hero removed,
with an Injunction never to make his appearance
IN the quartet again. Collins thereupon sued the
Doctor for twentyhree dollars and seven cents and
on Tuesday the case came before Judge Lane at the
district court Of the Sixth judicial district, and the
following evidence was elicited'-
According to Mr. Collins he was engaged by the
Rev. Mr.. Corey for year, beginning from the 30th
OF last January, and a written contract was duly
entered into between both parties. He complained
that the defendant prevented him from performing
the service. and that he was unable to procure EN-.
ployment anywhere else since then. He was engaged
by the defendant for the sum OF 5000 per annum, TO
be paid In monthly instalments on the lst day OF
each month. He was to sing In quartet choir in
the morning and evening services
The defendant admitted employing the plaintiff
and OF agreeing to pay him, but Collins represented
himself to have a good bass voice and to have
thorough knowledge OF music; but that the PLAINTIFFS
knowledge OF music was most deficient The de-
fendant further alleged that the conduct OF the
plaintiff was such while In the church that he had TO
be elected by force.
Collins, who pleaded his own case, testified that
21st of February, and admitted the fact OF being
elected from the church by orders OF Dr. Corey who
the contract. He was paid sixteen dollars by the
defendant on account OF contract. When he went
to the church on the 2lst OF February the organ.
Of the ~ way, or he would make him SO do; Dr. Corey
also bid him leave and not complying with the re-
quest an officer was called In the most interesting
portion Of the evidence was thus furnished by the
plantlff:-I am lawyer and drew up the contract
myself; this was quartet choir; made no repre-
tattA ar hnt
knowledge OF music sufficient to sing IN quartet
chor there were two alto singers there Idont know
the ladies' names; one lady, believe, was named
Farnham; sang five times; was to sing at So "a
per Sunday; never took any liberties with any OF the
ladies'; never laid my hands on the persons OF any
Of those alto singers; never said to one OF them
show sweet on this bosom to rest" when the hymn
was given out
sung such and understood music well and
made the contract with hun: complaint was made by
the ladies' that he mad grossly insulted them and
they would leave; they also said he could not sing;
heard him sing one psalm before the contract; do
not know note OF music, but / liked his voice;
wrote note dischareing him, but could not find
him; told him should be Obliged to discharge
retained; he said he should present himself fulnf
the contract; that sunday he disturbed the service
by loud conversation and l was obliged TO get an
otflcer to turn him out.
Carlo Moro professor OF music, being sworn, tes
tted-l played the organ at the church and led the
choir; endeav0red to get simple music; Collins
was not capable Of singing It; heard hun singing
three four Sundays and also at renearsals after
he sang the second time saw he was not compe-
tent to take any position in the choir.
On crOss-eXamnation the Professor sad-I was
brought up from childhood as a musician; studied
under my father and Others am not now engaged
as organst; am now at ST. James church; l re-
fused to play there II Collins resumed singing.
choir testlfed-At the time alleged was singing at
the church; sang alto; have thorough know
TeaSs person reaures iSr 81 SUCH chor better
knowledge OF music than for ordinary cholrs; Mr.
Collins was singing there or at least attempted to
sing, but was thoroughly Incompetent; rchearsed
with him; objected to singing with him. and laid
down my book rather than go on; he spoiled the
whole choir; he was exceedingly rude and on one
occasion made a double meaning out OF the hymn;
indeed, he was very rude In the cross-examination
Mrs. Grler testified the music was very simple;
knew that he sang bass incorrectly.
Mr. Collins, on being recalled testined-Before this
contract the defendant asked me to come and sing
he would employ me for q year; he said he was
pleased with my singing and would employ me for
year; he wished me TO bring written contract;
have heard Mrs. Grier's testimony, but do not con-
slider ever acted with rudeness.
Rev. Mr.. Corey said. on being recalled-I told him
distinctly II was a quartet choir.
Mr. J. A. Benjamin, witness for the plaintiff, tes-
ti1ed-I have been music teacher for thirty years
and understand music thoroughly; have heard Mr.
Collins slng never knew him TO sing out OF tune
time and consider HIM competent TO sing In q quar-
tet choir; have heard him In church and at rehear
sal
Charles W. Richards witness for plaintiff on being
sworn stated-I am no musician by profession, but
understand music; have heard the plaintiff sing
and consider him competent TO sing such church
music as sing myself.
Charles II. Kerr, being sworn, deposed-I know
both parties In this case; sang for four Sundays
along with Mr.. Collins we were called together by
Mr.. Corey who said he knew nothing about music,
and asked us II we understood it, Mr.. Collins replied
he understood music thoroughly, but ne admitted TO
me when going home from the church that he
could not sing solo; II ~ necessary for one who
sings IN q quartet choir 20 understand singing
solo; Mr. Collins Is not a competent singer, In fact
he cannot sing at all
Judge Lane. after patiently hearing both sides,
rendered verdict for the defendant, Mr.. Corey.