New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-05
CHURCH CHOIR CHANGES.
MAY is THE TIME FOR THEM

MUSIC IN THE sYNAGoGUEs-oRGANIsTs' TEN
oRs AND OTHERS WHO COME AND GO
The list OF May is the date when II is customary
10 make changes in church choirs o. inc oi''
This year however, there are fewer changes IMAM
usual although the tendency is TO renuce 'ne Vo''
OF music There different KINDS OF choiis'
First Of all in importance and numbers are inc
Cathedral and the vested choirs OF the fro'es'a"'
Episcopal churches. Among the latter "nc" arc
most notable are those OF Trinity. Grace 81 OAR
tholomew's and ST. Georges. St. Thomass' 81
Isnatus's St Mary the Virgin. All Souls ana 81
Nchaers in Harlem The Introduction OF femaie
voices a few years ago by ST. Georges ana tne
Joining OF women and young girls win inc Veseu
PROCESSION and chance service. has been fono"eo D'
St Bartholemew's. ST. Mchaeis and some othe'
churches OF this denomination in the city Ihe"
4bers are tina quartet choirs and solo performers
usually found In the Presbyterian the Reiormeo
the Methodist the Baptist ana other fro'es""''
churches Even where congregational music Is e'-
couraged there is a choir OF from four 10 seven
voices While these choirs offer nothing IN the way
~ elaborate display the voices are always Sc
lected with care. and their notes predonha'e over
the voices o. the congregation. Inc elaoorauoh u
the musical programme by the adopuoh VI '"e
VIOLIN the piano. the cornet' the harp ana o'.,e'
orchestral Instruments is confined chiefly 10 Tue
Roman Catholic and the high Protestant Eplsco-
pal churches. although the cornet Is so"ie'e'
heard in other congregations.
IN HEBREW CHURCHES.
The music afforded by the Hebrews in their
temples is also notable IL probably is not Know"
TO any extent that the Hebrew congregations nav
the advantages OF some OF the best VOICES III III.
ctv which are heard on Sunday morning ana
evening in the Christian houses OF worship INC
fact that the Hebrew Sabbath comes on SATURDAY
and their evening worship is on friuay' e''"
them 10 secure the best artists ana al less cos9
than is paid to them by the Christian consresa-
tons This is due 10 the fact that the singers are
often dsengaged for the last two days IN the week
and are pleased avail themselves OF 'he e'hP'o'
ment thus afforded r.
The Temple Emanuel. at Ffth-ave and Forty
thlrd-st Is one OF the finest audtorinms TOT
musical effect among the churches OF the city us
calling is archcd aud planned that the Voiu'e
OF sound ia caught by the audience poth on ''e
Moor and In the galleries 10 the BEST auVa"'"s''
although the organ and choir gallery are on the
front OF the temple with the pulpit and the cantor
on the platform al the opposite end OF the building
Referring TO this particular house Of worship IL
may be noted that Frank Van der Sinckeh' WHO
has been the director OF the choir here 'or many
wears has retired to accept position IN 'hclh-
natl HIS salary Mt the temple was H."' Inc
first ouarte, consists OF Miss Mansfield soprano;
Miss Gertrude Stein. contralto; Christian fr's'h'
tenor and Senior Bologna, bass. each OF whom re-
ceives 500 n year. The second quartet CONSISTS %
Miss Cartzdann, soprano; Mrs jacob conuaI'o'
Alonzo Hunt. tenor. and Daniel Peterson pass.
These receive each $3.50 year. The orsanist 10
Antony Davis. whose salary is $500
THE FUNCTION OF THE CANTOR
The cantor in the Hebrew temples receives a
higher salary than any others iden'ihed win INC
musical service. There are about forty HEBREW
congregations in this city. and in about twenty-five
cantors are employed. In addition 10 the regular
minister who sometimes combines this function
with his other duties At Temple BETHEL at Fli'h-
ave- and Seventy sixth-st.. a double quartz, Is
maintained and the organ is presided over Dy
Frank Taft. The cantor is the Rev herman on'
verman To those who not familiar with the
service OF the cantor II may be explained that II Is
his duty 10 provide all the music for the various
services He stands the platform during the
service hours and chants antiphonaly with the
choir usually stationed at the other END OF the
temple, and under the direction OF the orgahlst.
Usually the Saturday music. especially IN Temple
Bethel. is arranged from masses. and on mondays
the programme consists Of traditional jewish music
These ceremonies always most Impressive ana
tho music occupies about three-fourths OF the ehtTe
service At Temple Bethel the choir IS composed
OF Miss Kathrin Hike. and Mrs. Ida Gray scott.
sopranos: Mrs. Leonore Chapman Lndau ana Mrs'
Regina Hast Rosenthal. contraltos; Frank Farms
worth Barnard and Carl Naesor, tenors; Henry
Schwicardi and Frank E Tunison. basses
Among the best-known organists and directors
in New-York al present. and those who have been
longest identified with their respective organizations.
are Arthur II. Messiter. OF Trinity; W b. GILBERT
OF Trinity Chapel; George F. Le1eune ST. Johh
Chapel, Trinity parish, I. August H'HieShei' NeS'
Presbyterian Church and Leo kofer or 81 Pduis
Chapel Trinity parish
The salaries OF organists in this city in some
instances much more liberal than is generally sup
posed, but where high salary is attached 70 the
Office the requirements In the way Of training
choirs are considerable Mr. Messiter, OF Trinity
Church. for instance. is believed TO receive the
highest salary paid organst. namely $500
Taking the list of the better class of churches how
ever the salaries range from $3.50 to 1850 year.
IN THE COLLEGIATE CHURCHES.
The Collegiate churches OF this city have always
paid considerable attention to the attractveness
OF music in connection with the service The four
Collegiate churches in New-York City. which are
practically under one organization. are governed
in the musical feature. by one general committee,
with subcommittee identified with each particular
house O. worship. II is said that the entire APP
preparations for music during the past year. cover
ing the musical needs Of the four Collegiate
churches, was $40 There is more money ex-
pended In the church at Fifth-ave. and Twenty
ninth-st. for music than in any one OF the others.
The sum paid for the four voices last year was
$500.
At the Collegiate Church. Fifth-ave. and Forty
eighth-st, there will be two changes. one soprano
and the other contrato. The soprano engaged
10 fill this vacancy is Mrs. Luckstone Meyer In
the remaining Collegiate churches no changes Will
be made.
The Broadway Tabernacle has for many years had
the services OF Dr. s. NJ. Penheld as organist lie
retired May J. and will hereafter occupy a similar
position at the Scotch Presbyterian Church. Ninety
sixth-st and Central Park West He Will be sue
ceeded at the Tabernacle by George NJ. Green
lately organst OF the Eighteenth Street Methods
Episcopal Church. John J. Young has been secured
as the new tenor, otherwise the choir remains as
II has BEEN During the pastorae OF the Kew
DR. William NJ Taylor. the Tabernacle was noted
for It's excellent musical service. 1t is stated tina
in the economies recently practsed by that organi
zation, the appropriations for music for the coming
year have been reduced by 5000
new soprano. in the person OF Mrs. Joslyn. o.
Toston has been secured for the choir OF the Madi
son Avenue Presbyterian Church. OF which the Rev
DIR Charles H. Parkhurst is pastor.