Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-06-07
In HARNONIIS DIVINE
The Modern Church Choir Dis
cussed by Gertrude Gaiety.
FIRST SCHOOL OF THE PRInl DONNA
sweet, Tanefai Voices Lure the sinners
10 Prayer and Praise in the saaeta-
AIRY Nov They Frequently
Interrupt the Service

hOftu4p, 4uutcI, tnOis uaNc uScu toI-
sldered necessary for religious services
for hundreds OF years past. Primarily
choir singers were invited as leaders OF
the sacred songs aud their most sweet
tones were supposed TO drive away sec
ular feelings and create in their place
placid calm which would make every
worshlpper en- rapport with the preach
er- His holy words OF peace would
then circulate III a most congenlal air
and fall upon ears attuned TO their
religious fervor. Prayers comforting
and ministerial advice excellent, but
! there WAS something needed to stiniu-
| late religious Zeal aud lit the soul on
| hlgn. Mud exhllirailon IN the form OF
/ good muse has been and Will continue
| 10 be the most powerful aid OF the
! clergy IN filling the churches. That
! this Is true IS evident from the size OF
| the congregations which pour into the
sacred edIiices upon Christmas or
| Easter day wnen the music IS to he un-
usually good. And it is apparent, also.
/ upon any Sunday, when the churches
winch employ talented singers may be
/ observed TO be well filled, while the
I churches which do not engage flrst-class
! singers are seen to be almost empty, Il
! few middle-aged and old ladies. to-
! gether with one or two white haired
Old men constituting the scattering
congregation.
Where Prima Donnas Debut
Church choirs, particularly the mod
ern church cnoT, have been the hot
beds whose product has been the opera
singer. Long before she warbled III the
| glare OF the tOOtllghts the prima donna
sang TO a worshiptul congregation to the
accompaniment OF deep toned organ.
/ Long before the phenomenal tenor de-
| lighted critical audiences his voice was
trained 10y the careful choir master
Many Coutralta, basso and baritone
has had II similar experience, and their
! first school room was the church. For
| time 1t satisfied their ambitions, but
with the maturing and expanding OF
their voices desire to be heard in mu-
sic better suited TO their scope and IN
clIuatlon was fostered and developed so
that eventually the church lost what
the stage gained. Not every great singer
began by singing sacred music, but
many of them gained their first foot
hold IN the musical world by singing
Rock OF Ages" and the Doxology. In
FAINT prodigies have also been developed
by the church choir, sweet voiced Mar
tin BlatchfOrd Kavanaugh being an
lllustriOus example.
The question of personal morality
has never seemed to have been consid-
cred IN 8 tlng together singers for "A
cnoir. Instances may be cited III this
city where sacred music has been sung
with extra fervor by choir member,
while not many blocks away a small
voice wept and walled for paternal
care upon which it had no legitimate
clam. Fortunately not many such
cases have become known. The great
majority of male choir singers are, II
not above reproach, at least reasonably
correct IN department.
1t IS sometimes questioned by a
devoul worshiper whether the choir Is
on addition TO the religious ceremony
or not. Oftentlmes 1t IS really DIS
turbng element. The various mem-
bers seem TO enjoy a season CT unusual
merriment during the progress of a
PRAYER and their loud whispers or bold
ly outspoken words penetrate the most
distant recesses of editice. Nine-tenths
of the congregation are greatly annoyed
and If the disturbance came from any
other source, it would be promptly
checked even If desperate means were
to be employed.
A lady choir member who would be
shocked at the mere suggestion that
she would whisper or even show a lack
of attention during musicale or liter
arv entertainment at the house of q
friend, will describe her new spring
suit, give the details of her coming
| axx
bonnet visible IN the audience during
the most impressive part OF the services
She feels herself privileged character
IN privileged place and forgets thai
she is actually engaged In the service
of the Lord.
A strange Medley of sound.
"Have mercy upon us, miserable SIN
ners," prays the clergyman.
Ira, la, la" huns the soprano aud
IDLY, for the disturbance does not con.
sist of whispers and talk alone, but q
few notes hummed now and then give a
pleasing variety,-a sauce piquante, a:
| IL were.
Remember not, Lord, our offenses, -
says the preacher, and the basso cor.
daily responds:
'.sol IA lum dum dunn
And the man OF God adds: ''ln the
hour of death"
lie he he he" comes in a chorus
from the organ loft, and 1t Is safe t.
say that spiritual calm and Christian
exaltation have departed from many
of the kneelIng people. Il eau not be
possible that the officiating clergyman
is cognlzant of this most persistent and
perpetual annoyance TO the reguial
church attendant. IL he knew It he
would undoubtedly chide the guilty
persons Who are old enough to know
better, bat who must indeed be lacking
IN a sense of proprety or decency. Ii
they feel irreverent they should not
show IL like children, hut they should
observe demeanor more in accord
anCe with the time and place. IL j,
known that they sing for pay. but thai
does not lessen their obligation as {,
correct department. Because they are
hured participants Is no reason why
they should lie allowed or permitted tc
disturb others IN their religious deyo
ton. They should conform TO the IN
written lsw, which demands OF ever,
person a decent ohservsnce OF the ser
; vice. Until the day comes when they
viii 40 conduct themselves the churct
gong public will consider them "a Z
sort Of necessary evii--to be endured
because in way they contribute 70 th'
, Hoy sabbath calm.
GEsrHupE CAVITY.
Elevator Repaired
The inspector Of hoilefs and elevator
visited the etv bali Friday and fomns
, { 80 fhn Ysaphs r7zssa OF 1hE atpVsfrf