Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-11-09
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA IN WICHITA
A Weekly Review of Music, Art and the
Drama, Prepared Expressly for the Eagle

1
| To the EdstOr Of the Daily Eagle:
FpRTHER DEvELoPMESTs.-And now We
are to have a glee club, and already our fem
mime inaginations are responding to the
sound of manly voices and midnight SER
nadcs. 1t was whispered gently at first. l
tried not to hear it, but as ii grew louder and
more frequent, concluded it was public
property; so I'll tell you all about it.
There is Mr.. Collins, who is one of the
tenors. am told he has very nice voice.
He is comparative stranger in our midst,
having recently come to the city. Through
this medium he will soon be well, and trnst
favorably known. We have more tenor in
Mr.. Northup, who will share the laurels
with Mr.. Collins. Messrs. Clark, Hull and
Hamilton will stir the depths with their well
balanced bass notes. Mr.. Adm figures as
the baritone. l will not betray the pro-
gramme they have in rehearsal, am sure it
will be more satisfaction to be apprised of
that fact through the medium of their own
voices. In wishing this project unbounded
success, am, l feel confident, but echoing
the sentiments of all our music-loving people.
OUR CHURCH CHoIRs-The time has come
when our strictest church members are be-
ginning to think with Charles Wesley, that
the devil shall not have all the good music
in the world. The Rev. j. w. Mccormick
once remarked that if it were said of men
in general, "The man that hath no music in
L "a r..
spoils." it might be said Of Christians in
particular, that whoever has no music in his
soul is not not fit for heaven" He sustained
his theory by the works of nature and the
word of God.
In hasty research for biblical points on
this subject, find these commands: "Praise
God with the sound Of the trumpet, with
psaltery and harp" "Praise him with
stringed instruments and organs"
"Admonish one another with psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs Not only are
we commanded by the word of God to wor-
ship him through this medium, but by our
own natures. ! am reminded OF an occa-
sion when first heard Philip Phillips sing:
"Flee as bird to the mountain,
Thou who art weary of SIM"
1t was to me, at the time, an appeal more
impressive than any had ever heard before.
Ii combined the force of sentiment and song
and touched the heart, where it otherwise
might have failed.
We have all seen, if not felt the spirit
ual effect of music, and should, therefore,
thoroughly appreciate its value and encour-
age its growth IN our churches.
An excellent course is being pursued by
some churches for the advancement of con-
grcgational singing, by placing the Sunday
school under the care of the organist and
lnstructing IN the church hymns, instead of
the lighter class, and in many instances,
worthless tnusicaly speaking) class of Sun
day school music. rfltur. congregation
comes from the Sunday school, and much
can be accomplished foi the future good Of
church singing by drilling Sabbath school
scholars with view to th, fact.
AT our NJ. L. Church we fud Miss Calvin,
as Urganlst, and among the principal voices
are Mrs. Harding and Mrs. lnbvden, So
prano; Mrs. Abbott, contralto; Mir. Pollock,
tenor; Mr.. lnboden, bass. The musical
service includes two anthems by the choir
and hymns by the congregation. 1t is not
yet determined whether pipe organ will
grace tn new church or not. An improve
ment on the present one will be secured at
all events.
The Baptist church claims Mrs. Furlong as
organist, Misses Oberist and Lawrence, So
prano, Mrs. Stem, contralto, Mr.. Stefiee.
tenor, and Mr.. Hoifmaster, bass.
Their musical service consists of one an
them by the choir and congregational sing
ing. Prof. Sickner is organist at the Presby-
terrain church, and with the singing material
IN that society we are led to conjecture why
there is not an organized choir.
The Catholic choir has been much i'm
proved by the introduction of Mr.. Arnold
and his sister Peters mass in ID was given
complete last Sabbath. Weber's and Far
mer's masses are now in rehearsal. Miss
Manassas Is second soprano, MIR. Higgins
bass, Mr. Meyers tenor, Miss Messenger con-
tralto.
The Christian church has congregational
singing with Miss Brooks as organist. The
German Methodist the same with Miss
Wlcham rs organlst.
When the Episcopal society VIII have per-
fected their church arrangements. they pro
pose to have well organized choir and
render the beautiful musical service of that
church IN the most approved style.
Rev. Woodrow, the pastor OF the Univer-
salist church was on the outlook IA few days
since for an organist. They will have con-
gregationai singing only for time being.
AT THE REcEPrIoN-Music and rccita-
u