The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-12-08
MUSICAL COLUMN

ANY kind OF music, no matter how
bad. seems good enough for some
churches. Costly churches are erected,
aisles are inlaid with mosaic, fortunes
are expended in stained glass, pews are
of the rarest woods. and artists of
renown are engaged to decorate the walls.
How is it when We come to the question
of music? Anything, if it is cheap, is
too often the answer. Perhaps 1t Is con-
grsgational singing, generally atrocious
to musical ear; perhaps it is u volun-
teer choir, selected at random, with few
good voices and fewer readers, and CON-
posed chiefly of those who know little of
music but want to crafty an ambition
to be heard in public. This form OF choir
is of course desirable. because it is
cheap. As consequence the music in
many churhces throughout the country
is frequently had. Singers are not always
selected on account of merit.
4 pretty face often wilma the day
against more capable but homely artist.
The nom bers of musical com mittees have
relatives whose claims must be consld-
cred. 1t is not important that they
know much about music-that is only
incidental, of course.
What brilliant mind conceived the
necessity of this Important adjunct of the
machinery of the church is not known.
History is silent. The less one knows
abou. music the more eligible fora place
ON tn. music com ittee. As IA result some
very funny thugs happen. during the
yearly trial of voices. Not long ago in a
prominent BROOKLYN church awe.l known
oreanist PLAYED Il Bach fugue. digni-
fed memb OF the musical COMMITTEE
which sat in judgment was delighted,
and after ascertaining the composers
Now YORK, rs perhaps they might en-
gage him.
Another comm mitteeman of large
church inConnecticut moved that two con-
tra!tos be engaged in place of a soprano
and alto, as he thought the latter voice
relative of the econ omlcal gentleman who
wanted the swell box of the organ closed
permanently TO keep out the dust.
Music com mittee5 are responsible fol-
much of the turmoil in choir circles, and
for share OF the unhal rronicus sounds
termed music heard In SO many choir
lofts.
A choir that survives the musical COM
mittee has get to meet the wants of the
congregation, who desire everything done
according to their indiviual tastes. AS
one desires Gregorian, another Anglican
chants, the old-fashioned member Duke
Street, the younger element melodious
music by modern composers. 1t Is no
easy matter to suit all.
Let the churches fill their choirs with
the best possible materlal--thei best is
none too good--and then let them pay for
1t. One cannot get good property Tor
nothing; neither can one get good singers
or OF ganists for nothing. True, Los An
geles can share in this as we'll as any
mart Of the country.
There il much to be desired in the mat
ter of church music in this country. The
failures and shortcoming are largely due
to the small amount OF money expended,
coupled with lack OF experience and mn-
steal taste. Until more liberal appropri-
atoms are made, and the importance of
artistic muse in the service of the church
is more fully recognized, the condition of
the choirs in majority OF our churches
will remain in the unsatisfactory shape
which marks their present career. Let
us work and hope for better things.
LOCAL MUSICAL BRIEFS.
The last of the Piutti- Cornell series
of classical concerts took place OIL
Thursday night at the Blanchard Fi.z-
gerald Music hall. These concerts have
proved very successful in every way. as
was shown by the Increased interest and
attendance at each concert. 1t was the
sole aim of these two musicians to give
nothing but the highest classical type Of
music, as their programs will show; and
It is to be hoped that this will not be the
last series by this Huo of fine artists.
Mr.. Cornell, the well-Known singer and
teacher, IS to give tho music-loving PEG.
pie a great treat in the way of three pub
lie recitals, which will be something
never before attempted in Los Angeles.
Full details will be given later.
The Blanchard Fitzgerald band, COM
posed OF forty of tns leading musicians
of the city. under the direction OF Mr..
George Cam, will give its next concert at
Hazards pavilion On Deccm Der Goth, at
which concert will DO issued special in
vitatons to the officials of the CITY gov.
eminent. This is great undertaking
on the part Of the management and the
band, and should receive strong and
hearty support OF the music lovers OF the
city. Every city of this size, culture
ard wealth ought at least to support one
fine band, a large orchestra and grand
uratorio society of at least three hundred
voices. This city, on the contrary, has
none of them. What is the reason?
Every musician knows only too well.
Ano her fine musical organization
which Los Angeles may have cause to be
proud OF, is the newly formed ladies'
quartet, with Miss Whitehorn us first
soprano, Miss Wentworth as second SO
prano, Miss Filth Brown Young as first
alto and Miss Rosin as second alto. AL
ready they have done some fine work,
and are bound to become second to none
in the far west. They ars making IA
special study of Brahms, Schuman and
Cowen, under the direction OF Mr.. 9. s.
Cornell. The quartet is blessed with four
fine voices.
Ladies take DIR. Siepert'S AugOsIura Rittars