Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-01
WITH ONE VOICE.
| The Great Moody and Sanl<ey Choir
| Render the Gospel Melodies.

The fourth regular rehearsal Of the
mighty Moody and Sankey choir took place
at Congregational Church Tuesday night.
The occasion was full of harmony and
fervor. Twelve hundred singers were pres
ent, and they sang with an earnestness
worthy of the cause. The great organ was
almost silenced when this vocal army
turned loose it's power. The altos and So
pranos filled the central body of the church
and the galleries, while the tenors held
forth on the left of the church and the
BASES on the right. The ladies were in
a majority Of two to one. They were of
almost every description, young and other
wise, pretty and otherwise. but nearly all
We're tuneful. though there were some
otherwise exceptions. Mr. Foster the lead
er, wrote fantastic figures in the air with
his baton, and made all the voices follow
with swing and rhythm that made the
blood Jingle in the cheeks and seemed to
raise the roof of the church.
There was the best possible understand
ing between the conductor and the con-
Quoted. They almost sighed when he low
cred one hand gently, and put forth their
fuil power when he swung his arms around
his head. In the beginning he stated that
the choir now numbers more than 1,5O0,
and that it's progress was all that local
pride could ask. Some of the singers did
not have the right hymn books, and he
hoped that before the next rehearsal they
would provide themselves with the indi-
Gated article. Each of the choristers would
nave 10 buy one. as none of the hymnals
were for gratuitous distribution.
Now, let us try No. 2S" said Mr.. Foster.
The organ prelude doomed out, and at ex-
actly the right beat, the baton came down,
and every throat gave forth the words. Il
Know Love Thee Better"
Very well done. indeed. I may say that
that Is almost just right said the leader.
No. 49," came the order, and in the
Shadow of His Wings rolled out in mol
ten golden notes and all in tune.
Advice to the Singers.
Then Mr.. Foster eomplimented them on
the work. and made everybody feel as
though the success of that choir rested on
his or her individual effort. He said that
when the choir got into a real engagement
1T would not be possible for him to attract
the attention Of the singers as he did at
these rehearsals and that then they must
surrender themselves to a strict observance
to business and to the stick of the leader.
The proper hymn should be found as soon
as its number was called there should be
no turning of pages while the prelude was
being played, and at Just the right moment,
and all together, they should let her go.
No. II was the next song. 1t began wei
come. Wanderer, Welcome"
1t had not been practiced by this vocal
aggregation before, and its rendition was
not thoroughly satisfying. Before the choir
let go of 1t, however. they had 1t so that
1t flowed from the lips without a nav. Mr..
Foster said: 81 saw three ladies in the
gallery. just in front of me. who did not
sing note. Just take that first line over
again, please"
From the first line to the second sing
pianissimo, then crescendo, to forte at the
third line, and be careful not to slur and
sing the words Welcome, Wanderer,' L.
cato. but sing them StaCcatO. cut IL on
short, as II you were scared" said Mr..
Foster. Then the BASES were requested
to sing that stanza alone. and then the
tenors did it. Then all went together with
a snap and dash. No. 81 Pardon, Peace
and Power" came next, and No. "a ensued.
This earnest work was kept up for two
hours. Some of the choristers were not
singing, but those who were not were in
tently studying their lines, and will sing
out at the next rehearsal. A good many
of the singers are not ready readers, and
these have to take 1t leisurely with the
notes.