The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-23
MUSIC IN THE CHURCHES.
The Voices that Are Heard at the Sa
yannah Choirs


The Voices that Are Heard at the sa
yannah Choirs.
The church choirs of Savannah are notice
for their excellence. 1t is doubtful il any
city in the south, with the number Of
churches that Savannah has, can boast Of
SO complete and thoroughly organized
| chors. and certainly there is none where
so much attention is given to the higher
order of church music
1t is usual at the beginning of the new
year to reorganize the choirs. In most OF
the churches the reorganization for 1889 has
already been perfected. and the new choirs
are actively rehearsing for Christmas.
Christ church choir has been reorganized
under the leadership of Prof Steward, and
is now one of the best quartette choirs in
the city. The following are the voices:
Mrs. Postal, soprano, Mrs. W. Hunter,
alto, Mr.. George Mackenzie. tenor, Mr.. J..
II. Walker, bass. 1t is a great assistance to
. choir to possess a skilled accompanist
and director. Prof. Steward is a master Of
his instrument. His technique as an organist
and his energy and judgment as a musical
conductor are we'll known. Touching the
voices that constitute the choir, it is easy to
see wherein lies the charm of Mrs. Postell's
voice and singing-it is her ready sym
pathy and musical power OF expression.
One rarely hears purer, fuller voice than
hers. Mrs. W. Hunter is new member of
the choir. She has recently exhibited a
finely modulated alto voice, flexible, of
good quality and full volume Mr.. Mac
Kenzie is a recent importation to the city.
He is typical Scotchman, with that ex-
quisitely soft quality of voice peculiar to
the natives of Caledonia His voice is full
of melody and of remarkable range, ascend
ing with easy sweep to sc" in alt. Mr.
Walker is well-known to the music-loving
people of Savannah as a finished singer,
with a rich melodious voice and an admir-
able method.
The chorus choir at the Independent Pres
byterian church, which heretofore has
given general satisfaction, will be dis
banded. Beginning with Jan. /, quar-
tette choir will be organized, with Mrs
Theo. Wells as soprano, and Miss King
alto Mrs. Wells was formerly soprano i,
the Presbyterian church at Macon, and Miss
King is now the leading alto in the indie
pendent Presbyterian church choir. The
tenor and bass voices have not been def
nitely fixed upon; but the Indications are
that two well-known members of the pres
ent choir will be offered the vacant posi-
tions. Miss Coburn, who has been organist
for some time. will remain under the reor-
ganiZation.
The First Presbyterians expect to have
ttlSlt new kSduy lOT use cSTly III
January, and will organize chorus choir
in addition to the present quartette under
the leadership of Mr.. J. ID. Murphy, who
will act as organist. The prese 1t choir is
composed as follows: Mrs. j. ID. Murphy,
soprano; Mrs. w. J. Lindsay. alto; Mr.. w.
]. Linds y, tenor; Mr.. Burdell, bass; Mr.. J.
d. Murphy is organlst and director.
The First Baptist church choir has re-
Gently been reorganizad, with the following
M ta nd n fshn ~
Soprano, Miss #. ColdinG; alto, Miss NJ
Gross; tenor, Mr.. G. b. Whatley; bass. Mr..
B. III. Spangenburg. Mrs Gustin is organ
ist and Mr.. w. c. Kater cornetist. A
chorus of twenty voices is now in training
and will make its first appearance
some time in January. Special
Christmas music will be rem
dered to-day with an orchestral accom-
paniment. At the morning service, the
anthem, behold | bring you glad tidings,"
by Barnley, will be sung. Nazareth, by
Gounod, will be sung as bass solo by Mr.
3. II. Spangenburg. At the evening serv-
ice, the anthem "rhere were Shepherds"
by Chapel. will be rendered by the choir
The aria Hail now the Morn," by Holden,
will be sung as tenor solo by Mr., w. Fal-
coner.
At st. Johns church there will be no
changes in the choir of any importance
next year. The chorus choir, under the
direction Of Mrs. Burke, is doing good SER
vice. and the church is satisfied with it,
Trinity Methodist church choir will to re-
organized shortly. 1t is doubtful whether
Prof. Beardslee will remain as leader. He
is a skilled teacher of vocal music and will
be missed. The choir is a chorus. Mr.. T.
p. Richards has recently been engaged as
organist In place Of Miss Maggie Oliver
who resigned the position. 1t is understood
that Mr.. Richards will be organist under
the new organization, aud probably leader
of the chorus choir should Prot. Beardslee
decide to sever his connection soon.
The Lutheran church has reorganized its
choir. The voices are all we'll trained in
church music and the congregation is
pleased with it. The choir is composed of
Mrs. Ida f. Outten, formerly soprano singer
in the Baptist choir; Miss NJ. Muslin, alto;
H. w. Readick, formerly If the Baptist
choir, tenor, and Mr.. L. T. Harden, basso,
with Mr.. Charles Ratz, organist.
There have been several additions to st.
Patricks church DIR recently, and it has
assumed the proportions of a chorus choir.
Miss Ida O'Byrne is organist, and the choir
is rehearsing nightly q new mass for Christ
mas, by Carl Traeger An elaborate
musical programme will be rendered on
Christmas day and the Sunday following
In addition to the choral movements, solos
will bs sung by Mrs. Altick, Miss Ida
O'Byrne and Messrs. Donovan. Dumas and
Loughead.
The Mickva Israel synagogue choir has
had only one change in its personei lately.
Mrs w. Hunter is the alto in place of Miss
Gross, who now sings In the First Baptist
choir. Miss Lazeron Is soprano; Mr.. r. E.
Rebarer, tenor; Mr. Julian Walker, bass,
and Prof. Steward, organist. The choir is
justly famed for its finished rendering Of
bigh-class music.
The Cathedral choir is preparing to give
mas. The choir is chorus choir, with Mr..
l. j. Winkers as director and Prof. Mehrtens
organist.
Children Starving to Death
"a IL L. Il