New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-27
ANGELIC CHO[RS.

n
provincial English churches by way Of Australia
which is causing considerable controversy across
the water Putting the claims Of music above
those Of tradition and the old prejudice Inspired
by the bachelor Paul's dictum, Let
your women keep silence in the churches
several rectors have not only admitted women TO
their chancel choirs, but have also put them into
SUPPLIES and caps. The suggestion came from
Melbourne where for more than two years
surpliced choir of mixed voices has been main.
tanned in St. Pauls pro-Cathedral Every choir
master who has not had his musical sensiblhties
bfnted by devotion to traditional institutions
knows that this new movement springs from
genuine artistic need We have striking Illus
tration of this in New.York. In two OF
the local seats of High Churchism
women are admitted among the singers in the
chancel. but they are hidden from view. Now,
it is in the highest degree probable that II the
question were raised in the councils Of these
churches, men might be found who would argue,
as ungraciously some of those who have taken
part in the English controversy, that ST. Pauls
Injunction must be perverted to apply TO singing
as well as speaking, and that the title Angelic
Choirs7 which has been prettily applied to these
bands OF supplied women is misnomer because all
the angels mentioned in Holy Writ are male angels
Yet, desiring pleasing music, they read these OBJ
jectons in a Pickwcl1ian sense, and apply instead
an inversion of the bachelors maxim concerning
children: they permit the women to be heard
but not seen.
1t is gratifying sign Of intellectual growth
in The Churchman's" music reviewer that while
year and quarter ago he took umbrage at
some sensible observations on the subject of Boy
Choirs made by writer in " Harpers Magazine"
and forgot so much of his learning that he con-
demned the time-honored and correct term,
supplied choirs," he is able to discuss the
most significant innovation suggested by that
writer with apparent calmness, and without the
least intimation that the underpnning will be
drawn away from the Christian religion II women
singers are put into SUPPLIES, or "Vesments,"
as he would say. On the contrary, he goes
quietly TO work to suggest what the uniform
might appropriately be- Whte and black
alone should be used-the black dress, the white
Gotta or sleeved pelisse adapted slightly, with
white cap, very simple, and, il you please,
sistcr-like' This is not quite so picturesque
a uniform as that worn by the Melbourne choir,
iatmely, white supplies, black stOles. black
velvet collars, and on their heads
ropnd black mortarboards with silk
tassels, nor that OF St. Johns Church.
Wakefield, England, which consists of long ulster
eloalzs Of fine French gray wool lined with red
silk and black velvet hats something Like col
lloyd cap but not so stiff In the case OF both these
cboirs which are the largest that have introduced
the new feature, we believe the women take their
places in the choir before the procession. and CO.
cupv the first ranks of the Decani and Cantoris
sides There is therefore, nothing intrusive IN
their appearance and their presence in the chancel
is not in the least degree disturbing TO religious
frame of mind. How strong mere prejudice
against new thing may be in the case OF a church.
man. however, is evidenced by the remark OF Canon
Iiddon. who being asked his opinion IN the prem
ises replied /" 1t is difficult to say whether the
snectace of ladies dressed in surplices and so on,
in church is more irreverent than it is certainly
grotesque.'
We do not apprehend that the Introduction OF
women into the Episcopal chOirs, which are now de-
generating artistically because OF the fashionable
craze for supplied chorsters and the Introduction
Of these women into appropriate gowns and caps
would be injurious TO anything vital in the tradl-
tions of the Church. We do know that artistic
honesty would be promoted by it. Boys and men
oucbt not to be compelled to sing music written
for mixed choirs. Much of the old music COM
posed for boys and men is no longer practicable,
since the adult alto voice has to all lntents ana
purposes died out. Contralto boys are scarce,
and modern music demands mature voices. II
surplices have come TO stay, the question Is re-
duccd TO this Either poor singing, with all boys
for the upper voices or good singing, with women
TO help or take the places of the boys