Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-05-05
Choirs and Singing.

First OF May Changes In various
ChOirs-New Departure At One OF
the Prominent Churches
Yesterday, the first Sunday in May, was
day Of special interest at the various church
es where changes which had been made in
the choirs went into effect. One of the most
noted and radical changes was at the Church
OF the Redeemer, where congregational sing
ing led by large chorus choir was inaugu-
rated yesterday. The chorus choir occupied
both galleries, and is composed of young
people Of the church and some Of Professor
Chambers pupils are among the number. A
trombone and cornet together with the
organ furnished the instrumental music. The
congregation have singing books specially
compiled for congregational singing. The
general verdict was that the new plan worked
we'll, and, as member phfased it, when the
volume of melody was at its height it sounded
Joined ia the singing of each hymn.
The congregation seemed to enter
into the services with increased zeal and
spirit. correspondent says: s'The music
yesterday at the Church of the Redeemer was
something entirely new for our city. For
some time past those having the matter in
charge have been visiting various cities
where they found congregational singing was
being introduced, and believing that tine true
spirit of worship was better expressed by
that form than by paid choir, they at once
set themselves at work to try the experiment,
particularly as DR.. Todd has always favored
the same. Although being pleased with the
last years organist and choir, they determined
upon the following plan:
"Prof WE. Chandler was to take the mat
ter in charge and organize large choir for
the gallery. in which the organ is placed, and
also put in the gallery directly opposite
another large company of singers gathered
from the young folks of the cOngre-
cation and those outside. and the
trial was made yesterday with two
brass instruments (cornet and trombone)
placed near the pulpit to assist the general
congregation in keeping time. DIR. Todd
with few well chosen words said he trusted
that all the people would try and sing and
make it as much q part of the worship as the
sermon, and also to be little particular in
keeping up the time.' which with congre-
gationaI singing was apt to drag Books
containing both words and music carefully
prepared by himself and Prof. Chandler had
been placed in all the pews, and when the
first note was struck the whole
of both choirs and all the instruments, to-
8eGner VIII the congregation IN general, joined
in one grand strain that was never before
heard in our city at usual morning service
The most remarkable part of all was that
during the singing of all the hymns that fol-
lowed the same perfect volume of sound and
correctness Of measure was preserved, and
not person present but what voted the ex-
pertinent for the first day at least perfect
SUCCESS"
At Trinity church the soprano, Miss South
worth, oficiated for the first time. and the
singing gave much satisfaction. At st. PauFs
the new member of the quartette, Miss Lot
tie Kunz, ably acquitted herself The Cal
vary Baptist church choir, one of the leading
quartette choirs of the State, remains I'M
changed. Mention of the music at Daven-
port church is elsewhere made.
COLLEGE STREET CHURCH.
The reorganized choir at College street
Congregational church sang for the first
time yesterday. The singing gave greet
pleasure and was heard with special interest
in view of the Strengthening of the choir
and the new talent. The improvement is
marked excellent as was the choir's work
last year. The choir is composed as follows:
SOpranos-Helen A. Sanford. Allie Reilly,
Emma Bray, Grace Jennings, Lizzie Kunz,
Ella Mather; altos-Sophie Northrop, Mrs..
J. Il. P. Chamberlain. Minnie Swift, Minnie
Stevens; tenors-J. 81. P. Chamberlain, F.
A. Kurreck, 81. P. Stafford; bassos-John s.
Bradley. William s. Cooke, Il. Il.
Sickels, F. L. Sperry. One tenor and
one basso are yet to be engaged.
UNITED CHURCH;
At the United church, late the North
church, the recognized chorus choir sang
for the first time. Miss Nora Russell, of the
sopranos, was engaged Saturday. She sang
for the past year at the Church of the Re
deemer and has voice of peculiar sweet
ness that has been brought by careful study
and cultivation to high degree of excel
lence. The singing gave much satisfaction
and the singing by the new choir is a decid-
ed Improvement upon that of last year which
was very satisfactory. The choir is COM
posed as follows:
Sopranos-Miss Nora Russell, Miss Jennie
Thomas, Miss Alice Fechter, Miss Eta Fair
child. Miss Eleanor How'd, Miss Lucy Cow
ell. Miss Margary McGIlvray. Altos-Miss
Grace Mercer. Miss Ruby McGilvray, Miss
Ida Eaton, Miss Carrie Stevens. Teners-
Mr.. Arthur Jackson, Mr.. Frank Park, Mr..
Frederick Brown, Mr.. Charles Mason.
Bassos-Mr. Charles DeForest, Mr.. Frank
King, Mr.. Edward Wright, Mr.. William
Stevens. Henry K. Beach, organist and choir
director.