Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-12
SINGERS IN CITY CH0IRS.
people WHO FURNISH SWEET
SONGS FOR CHURCH GOERS,

SsvannSh'e ChoiTS Compared WIN nose
of Other Cities-How They nre Paid
and Who the Singers Are-IG.Aborate
Programmes.otc Christmas Music Being
music as Feature OF the
Church Service.
The question of music is becoming
more and more each year feature of
greater interest ani Importance in the
churches. The different places of worship
find 1t decidedly expedient, if not neces-
sery, TO have a choir capable of furnish
ing pleasing and attractive music in
order to draw a sufficiently large cOngre-
cation 10 hear the eloquent sermons Of
their well-salaried preachers.
A. gentleman in one of the hotels was
overheard last night to remark: "Well,
believe l will 60 10 church tomorrow
morning just for a change" Turning to
a companion he inquired If be knew what
church in town had the best singing. His
companion beng unable to furnish the
desired information, they went to the
iomniscient hotel clerk and proceeded to
iinterrogate him upon the point in
Question. The clerk, who was
fully posted upon this matter, as
upon every thing else, though he had been
inside of church but twice during his
y,
"a full and complete history of every choir
singer in Savannah, and Of the relative
istrength and merit of the several choirs
The Two gentlemen will doubtless go 10
the church whose choir they have been
tod eXcels.
FEATURE OF THE SERVICE.
The choral attraction mas grown to such
ian extent that the congregations out
side of the regular members are, in the
IL oF hn airo 70
hear good music.
MORNING NEWS reporter was talk
Ing last night to a gentleman who is an
able musician and who sings in more
than one OF the choirs in the city. he
said that he has heard about all
of the choirs in the other cities in
the State. and that not considering the
fact that be was member of some of the
home choirs, he considered Savannah
away ahead of her sister cities IN the way
of church music.
II have heard them sing" he said, land
j have listened to them with the sole OBJ
Eect of satisfying myself as to the rela-
tive merits OF the choirs in the churches
of the different cides in Georgia, and l
consider the Savannah cboirs ahead OF any
have heard"
SAVANNAH CHOIRs.
When the list Of names composing the
various choirs In Savannah Is looked over
there is not much room for doubt that he
yshould be so positive in his opinion as to
the superiority of the Savannah choirs
over those of other Georgia cities.
There are six paid cholrs in Savannah,
and as a matter of course, they excel the
voluntary ohOirs. 1.-The only successful
,cholrs and the only ones that give gen.
eral satisfaction" the NEWS informant
said, "are the paid choirs. Being paid
it is not optional with them when they
r1aoa o,zI han ~ nNz
ent to practice the hymns for the sue
ceeding Sabbath. 1t makes no difference
10 them whether it is raining or not or
whether the sun De shining or not, they
have got to obey orders and have got to
attend the requisite number OF practice
meetings."
HOW THE CHoIRS ARE PAID.
The members Of the different choirs are
paid about as follows: A tenor gets from
$500 to $500 year, a soprano from $500 to
$500, an alto from $500 to $3.50, a bass
from 5000 to $500, and organist from $500
10 $780, When it is remembered that
these amounts are made AT odd moments
and outside OF regular business and work.
ing hours, il will be readily understood
that the best Of musical talent can be
secured for these sums.
The six places Of worship in the city
that have paid choirs are Christ Church.
ST. Johns Church, the independent
Presbyterian Church, the Baptist
Chuach, the Lutheran Church and the
Mickya Israel Synagogue.
WHO ARE THE PAID SINGERS.
OF these the Synagogue has probably
the best paid choir in the city. This choir
consists of Miss Isabel Lazaron soprano;
Miss Mary Gross, alto; Frank E. Rebarer,
tenor and leader; q. W. King, base, and
Felix Leasing, organist.
% eaI Of
Mrs. PorcherPostell, soprano; Miss Mary
Gross, alto; Mr.. Tracey Hunter, tenor, Mr..
Walker, bass, and Nj. Stewart organisJ
and director.
st. johns Church choir is made up OF
Mrs. 5. Haynes, soprano; Mr.. 7. II Ward,
tenor and leader; Mrs. z. II. Ward, alto;
Mr.. g. w. King, bass, and Mrs. Il. B.
Burke, or2anist.
The mem bers of the Independent Pres
byterian Church choir are Miss Maggie
Oliver, sopranos; Miss Carrie Bacchus,
alto: Mr.. Frank K. Rebarer, tenor and
seader; Mr.. j. Q. Postell, bass, and Mrs.
:. J. AcNulty. organist.
In the Baptist Church choir are Mrs.
Ida Wade, soprano; Miss Belle McAlpin,
alto; Mr.. IL. w. Readlck, tenor; Mr..
George FriersOn, bass, and Mrs. Gustin,
iorganist and leader.
In the Lutheran Church choir the sing
kers are Mrs. Berrien, sopranos; Mr.. Otto
fOEel. tenOIs MisS hhte MaAey, bllOs
Mr.. Walker, bass, and Prof. G. f. Cranz,
organist.
the Cathedral has a chorus choir under
the management Of Prof. Leo w. Mehr-
tens, who is the organist and director,
and the only salaried member of the choir.
RKHEARsING CHRISTMAS MUSIC.
The most Of these churches are making
special preparations for Christmas music.
None of them have completed their pro-
grammes as ye', but they will soon do 80
and will at once begin active rehearsals.
Christ Church, st. Johns and the Cathe-
dral have given the most attention to
music for this particular season of the
year.