The gale., 1888-01-13
GOTHAM'S CHURCH MUSIC.
SINGERS AND THEIR SALARIES
IN NEW YORK,
Prices Received by Good Chorus
Soloists The Chorus Singers Not
Paid-Singing at the Cathedral.

paid to individual well-known singers
in New York church choirs, says the
Sun. The singers themselves are gener-
ally unwilling to name any figure, and
when they do it can not always be de-
depended upon as correct. The tempta-
tion to exaggeration is great, involving,
as it does, the singers musical reputa-
ton and opportunities of securing future
! good engagements. For soloists 81, 800
is very large remuneration. A leading
organst in this city said he did not
think dozen singers in the city received
| as much. and none more. Emma Thurs
by probably received the largest salary
! ever paid to choir singer. This was
said to be So, 200. Musical people look
dubious when this figure is mentioned,
and say it is probably overstated hy $500.
The majority of soloists earn N the
neighborhood of $1,000. A considera-
BILE number get $1,000. A very much
larger number receive $500. A singers
actual income is often some hundreds
larger that his salary. 1t is favorite
device of those who know their services
arc appreciated, to tell some friend in
the congregation that they are going to
leave because the salary is insufficient.
it is widely circulated, as is in
tended. The result often follows
that some wealthy member of the con-
gregation, who particularly enjoys the
work of that particular singer takes an
early opportunity of seeing the singer and
asking the truth of the report. The singer
neither admits nor denies ii, but leaves the
impression that it is so, The wealthy
member of the congregation then offers
renfidentjally a certain considerable sum
per year if the singer will remain. The
singer considers for some days, and at
length reluctantly consents. Often the
same singer will catch half a dozen in the
same congregation. Thus it is that many
choir singers will tell an inquirer that
they get So, 900 or s., 500 from such and
such church. 1t may be perfectly
true, but it by no means represents their
salaries.
Chorus singers generally receive moth
ing. People with good voices are only
too willing to exchange their services for
the benefit of instruction and practice.
Now and then, however, voice specially
adapted to chorus work is paid; $400 is
a large remuneration. In the male choirs
little if any money is paid out St.
Francis Xavier's does not follow this rule,
but this church is an exception in having
a choir of able male soloists. Organist
Bruno Klein has for his quartet Messrs.
Aren Cebia, Franzel, Naberti, and Vein
Itch, all capable and we'll known singers
They receive liberal salaries. But the
chancel choir of boys costs little. The
Catholic and some Episcopal churches re-
cruit their chancel choirs from the orphan
asylums of their churches, and require
services of the boys rs part of their
duty.
Most of the choir directors say that no
particular class Of solo voice commands
higher salaries thnn others, and they also
agree that good voices Of all registers
are equally hard to obtain. OrganAst A.
H. Messiter, of Trinity, however, says
that sopranos are the most valuable
features of choir from financial point
of view. Musically, of course, one part
in harmony is as important as another.
Mr.. Messiter says that $500 is good pay
for soloist as salaries run, and that
many capable singers are content to get
much less, some salaries being as low as
$500. He thinks the supply is vastly in
excess of the demand, inasmuch as an
advertisement asking for one singer will
procure from sixty to seventy responses.
There is no reason, therefore, why the
churches should not have the very best
vocal talent at their disposal.
In this city there is room for every
kind of musical ability, as every sort of
choir is here represented. The best
example of complete church music
probably in the country is found at the
cathedral. There arc two choirs there,
the general church choir of mixed
voices and the chancel choir The
church choir consists of quintet and u
chorus. Miss Ef1ie Stewart has been the
soprano since last May. She took the
place of Nine. Martins, Peruvian lady
once under Mapleson's management.
Nine. Martins held the place seven years.
She has now married and returned to her
home III Lima. Miss Stewart is q
Cleveland lady, we'll known upon the
concert stage of Cleveland, Chicago and
Boston. Miss Marie Groebl has
recently taken Mrs. Catherine Ford's
place as alto. She is from Balti-
more, snd, like Miss Stewart,
won laurels upon the concert stage
before settling here. Her forte has been
oratorio music. Charles Kaiser, the
tenor, is an able musician. He was fol
years pupil of Stockhausen, in Frank
fort. His voice is clear, flexible and
light, materially differing from that Of
his predecessor, Charles Turner, who was
tenor robusto in every sense. Charlie,
Steinbach, the BARITONE is the only mem
Der of the choir who has been in the
cathedral since its dedication. He is
the only one who engages in other bust
ness during the week. His voice is {
high baritone and very telling Henry
Schwicardi, the basso, was formerly
known in German opera. He has beer
at the cathedral five years.
There are usually about fifty in the
chorus at the cathedral. Very few re-
ceive salaries.
1t does not require distinguished
| musical knowledge to hold place in the
church chorus. A good voice and fair
knowledge Of reading is sufficient. Fol-
the soloist, though, the exactions are
severe. The singer must be able to
rendera difficult piece of music at sight,
and remember it after one rehearsal. He
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