The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-24

Editor Of the Globe For the past year l
have been frequent attendant at the Con-
grcgational church in this village, and have
so much enjoyed the music with which the
choir of that church favor its hearers,
that I cannot refrain from asking u little
space in your columns to give brief notice
of them. Doubtless the consciousness
of having performed well their duty, is all
the remuneration that they ask, or perhaps,
desire; but beng one of those who have
listened without price to their singing
desire to do as much, at least, as to thank
them for the pleasure that they have af-
fordcd me. This choir has had an exist
encc of less than year, and consists of a
double quartette-four ladies and four gen.
tlemen, and the organst, Professor G. A.
Mietzke, under whose direction and tuition
they are. Being made up of persons who
are actively engaged in business and the
every day duties of life, with no leisure to
devote to the cultivation of their voices, it
could hardly be expected that they, in all
respects, could become absolutely perfect
in one year. But considering their oppor-
tunities for preparation and drill, their sue
cess has been very remarkable.
The marked attention with which the audi
ence-whether musicians or not-listen to
their singing is sufficient, and, indeed, the
best proof of this. 1t must be evident to the
most casual observer that the music of this
oburol IL, fact hnconinr Ito cLiof attrac
ton. And it is probably true that outside
of the leading choirs of large cities, there
are few, if any, church choirs that excel
this. AS q whole it is the finest choir that
it was ever my lot to hear in the country,
and in many respects Is fully equal to the
best city choirs In its individual members
| it has some marked features. Prof Mietzke,
whose reputation as q pianist is well as
sured and very widely known and recog
nlzed, has added new laurels to his must
cal reputation by the admirable and very
effective manner in which he plays the or
gan. The organ in his hands instead Of
being the all controlling power of the choir
and in its noise drowning everything else
is suhordinated to the voices of the singers
and by exceedingly well modulatcd ant
controlled expression, renders aid in giving
| force and effectiveness to their voices. The
bass is represented and well sustained by
A. II. Walker and O. w. Currier. Col
Walker is very fine musician, possessing
good taste, a correct ear and, with cultiva
ton, one of the finest of voices
for this part. AT times his voice swell ou
in such full rich tones, always in perfec
time, as to attract the attention of every
nearer, and aids much in converting The
singing of this church into something be
sides mere form lifting it up into
the domain of devotion, and the hearers in
to devotional mood. The tenor is rep
resented and finely sustained by G. A
Parkhurst and Henry Bailey, both possess
ing good voices, well cultivated and unde
good control. The leading place in thi
part. is taken by Mr. Bailey, and at time
: is carried with admirable effect. Will
such development and cultivation of voc
as diligence and time can give, Mr. Bale,
ctn become a very prominent singer
The alto is carried by Miss Clara Ruggle
and Miss Fannie Eastman, both possessing
very fine and well trained voices for thi
part, and the music of their voices is not q
all injured by reason of their being excel
lent, and very attractive girls.
The soprano has for its representative
Miss Ella Olmstead and Mrs. G. A. Metzk
and better combination for this part coul
not well be found. Miss Olmstead possess
es very fine and exceedingly accurat
, voice, lacking somewhat in compass, bu
always correct and on low parts yer
sweet and attractive. Mrs. Mietzke is pei
haps the "chiefest" attraction OF the choir
She, with proper effort and care, has al
the element that would soon render her on
} of the first soprano singers in the country
l Possessing voice rich in tone and exceed
ingly sweet in expression, and of suflicIen
power to fill the church, and, also, sui
neisnt strength OF body to give continu