The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-17
"A Review Of the Present Status
and Personnel
The Protestant Catholic and Jewish Churches
unsteady Considered.
PAY OF @ II O L II - !.
Who the Musicians Are, Their Salaries,
&c.-Curiosities Of NetropoH-
tan Ohoirs.

Church music land these theories are numerous
and coniieting) the facts are that in the city OF
New York the tendency has OF late years been
towards the Introduction into our churches or
more elaborate and 1orid music than was favored
IN the earlier and more Puritanical portions OF our
history. This tendency has been more especially
marked in the Protestant Episcopal churches OF
the metropolis, which are gradually rivailing IN
their musical attractions the ritual OF the Roman
Catholic Church in which the music has ever been
a distinctivelY prominent element. The revival OF
church music distinct feature in the Episcopal
Church in the city OF New YORK should be, to a
large degree credited, so TO speak, TO the account
OF Edward Hodges, musical doctor, OF Cam
bridge England, who was the organist of
sold Trmityn the year 1888 10 1868.
THIS gentleman thoroughly versed
In church music IN all Its branches, and did more,
perhaps tran any one man OF his time to advance
the cause OF sacred music in the metropolis. In
direct influence OF an important character has
also been exerted in this connection by the ex-
ample and efforts OF the Rev. ]. l. Tucker, D. D.,
rector OF the Church OF the Holy Cross in Troy, n.
Y. Tats gentleman, himself a thorough musician
rs well as an accomplished divine introduced the
choral service into his church about thirty years
ago, and for nearly a generation sung the bass
himself. He was the compiler OF the .Hymnar' OF
the Episcopal CAurch, and has ever been deeply
interested In the church music OF the METROPOLIS
The Rev. Dr. Muhlenber9 author OF the hymn, Il
Would Not Live Away has also associated his
name with the early history OF church music in this
country, and has become, In measure, identified
with Its Improvement.
Within the last ten years the advanc ement or
church music towards high standard OF elaoora-
ton has been more marked than at any previous
period, and the last four years have witnessed
rapid strides in that direction.
FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT CHURCH CHoIRs.
AS q class OF men ana women, church singers
and musicians in New York are fairly PAID Some
claim even that they paid too highly, and that
too much attention is devoted by some 70 the mere
money they receive, and that TO certain ex-
tent the religious character OF their services is
entirely ignored. These views were expressed to
a representative of the HERALD by prominent
musician, himself church organist and musical
director. On the other side, a gentleman equally
prominent in church music expressed the opinion
that church music was in lower status than
1t should be, simply because the salaries
paid were too small to command the best
talent. The figures are these Church organists
receive salaries from $1,000 upwards, organst
receiving as high s2,50o soprani receive
from $500 to 81 500 per aRnum-eases have been
known in which they have been paid as high as
$4,000 Tenors receive about $1,000 per annum;
contralti from sToo year upwards bass voice
Is well paid, some cases receiving as high 81 200
to $500 per snnum. These figures seem "ialr'i
when it is considered on the one hand, that high
order OF musical ability aud culture Is required
and, on the other hand, that the positions require
but one days service during the week and not
more than one nights average rehearsal
Sometimes the crsanlst is intrusted with the
entire appropriation Tor the music OF the
church and makes all engagements and pays
Salaries. Sometimes the matter IS in the hands OF
committee, ana the organist himself ranks
merely us one OF the musicians. Ia one case IN
this city an organist has undertaken 'iob outs
the music OF several churches, taking the 'appro-
prationsi OF them ALL and out of it securing mu.
sicians by the wholesale. TO this course the mu-
sicians themselves generally object.
The attitude Of clergymen towards church music
Is not yet altogether satisfactorily settled. some
divines regard music great auxiliary 10 devo-
ton; others regard 1t rather as frvollty, not to
say snare and delusion, while a third class Of
ministers absolutely seem TO regard their musi-
clans as their rivals and to cherish very kindly
feelings toward them in consequence. Then,
again, clergymen are themselves accom-
piished musicians. Others, again, know little OF
music ana care less. Some ciergymen adhere to
the English cathedral system, and all their service
IL sung or chanted b. mae voices. Others believe
In "mxed voices in the combination OF the sexes
and IN soloists, while third class OF divnes have
a controlling preference for congregational"
singing Consequently, where 50 much diversity
Of opinion prevails, there is found an equal diver
Bity OF practice. Prominent among the Episcopal
churches the peculiar character of its music Is
The Church OF St. Thomas, at the junction OF Fifty
third street and Filth avenue, under the
pastoral care OF Rev. DR.. Morgan. This
Is one OF the very largest and finest
church ediGees in the country, and the service
here Is very imposing. Perhaps time and
trouble IS devoted In ths church to church music
than IN any other Episcopal parish in this city, and 1t
may therefore, be taken as affording a fair sample
OF what IS being done among us 10 the metropolis
Al the Inc OF sacred music The organ OF this
church ia remarkably hne and large one, and is
OF peculiar construction, being q double organ,
divided into two parts, one side being placed at
each side Of the chsncel the part removed from
the organist being played by electric wires an
underground communication also exists between
the two portions Of the organ. The choir is, ike
the organ, arranged in two divisions one on each
side OF the cnancel. The organst Of the church.
nr. George W. Warren, is an American and New
Yorker, and though young still, mas been an
organist Tor ny-eight years he is also a panist
and composer. lie Is an enthusiast in Church
music and under his direction the music OF st.
Ihonas' is attracting deserved attention
MUSICAL INNOVATION
The choir OF the church consists OF quartet ana
me introduction OF the harp into me regular
GhuIen service mas been regarded with dislavor by
sVine as al innovation, Out It's advocates contend
that as DAVID, the great psamist, was q great
narpst, aud as the harp Is much older than the
organ the innovation Is perfectly lustined theo.
Lencahy; whne as matter OF lact, there Is no
doubt that Tue introduction OF the narp Is really
an Improvement TO the music az il blends sweetiyy
alike with the peal OF the organ aud the voices Of
the choir The Quartet at this church is one Of tne
finest ana best trained IN the city il consists az
Mrs. Z. ID. Gulager soprano, vocalist OF practised
experience; MISS Louise flhcn, contraito, both
American ladies'; While the tenor Il Mr. NlIsen .
Norwegian and the basso In NJ horawskt a pole
The haryiss ID Friedman, an artist. the
soprano receives a salary Of $1,000 per an
mum, the tenor similar compensation the
contralto receives $500 and the oasso a ike
amount. In addition TO the quartet OF skilled
saiared singers ST. Thomas church rejolces ia thA
possession OF q special musical feature volunteer
chorus OF mixed voices, generally numbering about