Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-21
Preparations for the Easter Festi-
val in the Churches.
CAREFUL WORK OFTRAINED MUSICIANS
instrumental and Vocal Music as
an Adjunct to Worship.
VOICE AND MENT

the number and quality of its church choirs.
During recent years the choirs of the diff
ferent churches have been strengthened
both as to soloists and choruses, so that
from the condition some years ago of few
scattering churches with choirs there is
now probably an aggregation of singers,
some more notable. of course, than others,
equal to any city of its size in the country.
This season of the year is an extremely
busy one for both singers and leaders of
choirs. Easter music is probably the most
elaborate of any during the year, not even
excepting Christmas, and 1t has been the
general plan to start in many weeks ahead
of Eastertide to prepare for the proper
rendition of the music that accompanies
the joyous festival OF course, the finest
music will be heard in the Catholic and
Episcopal churches, but custom has chang
ed SO during recent years that even those
churches that are the most rigid in their
terms OF worship have some special music
prepared for Easter. some innovation in
her or of the season. Most all Of the Epis-
copal churches in this city possess vested
choirs. some composed of boys and men
ana others with a mixed quartet, and still
others with mixed chorus. The Catholic
choirs are all composed of mixed voices.
Among the Episcopal churches that have
efficient and well-trained choruses may be
mentioned st. Johns. with its surplicetl
choir composed of men and boys, st. Paurs
on I'D street, and the new churches of ST.
Thomas, st. Andrews and ST. Margaret
st. Johns has probably the best-known
vested choir in town. as Well as an estab-
lished reputation for the music which is
rendered on all occasions. The choir is un-
der the direction of Mr. w H Daniel St
Pauls choir Is under the leadership of Mr.
ID. b. Mcleod, st. Thomas under the direc-
tlon OF Or. II. c. Sherman, st. Andrews is
directed by Mr.. Herndon Morsell. and St
renee.
Some Of the most noted of the Catholic
Church chofrs of the city are those of St
matthew's, st. Patrick's. St. Aloysius' and
the immaculate Conception. The first Is
under the direction of L. E. Cannon and is
probably one of the best known here. Pro-
lessor Mama has charge of the choir at St
tatricks. and the music which has been
neard there during recent months testi1ies
70 MS capabilities as conductor. S. j.
kubel Is in charge of the st. Aloysius'
choir, and Mrs. Clara Baker Smith leads
the choir of the immaculate Conception.
All these churches are just at present I'D to
tneir ears IN work incident upon the Easter
mi sic, and the strains which will be heard
his year from the choirs named and from
DINERS VIII show the result of the hard
work and patient training.
The different leaders of the chOirs In the
churches of Washington are as a general
rule capable musicians who are known Oh
the concert stage as well as in the choir
ioft while the solo singers and members of
quartets are among the finest singers in
the city. AS a general rule the music at
Easter, Christmas and other festivals of
the church are well kept in mind by the
people of the city. and there are but few
vacant seats at these times i'm all of the
larger edifices.
The First Congregational Church choir,
under the leadership of DR.. Bfschoff en-
joys a deserved reputation. The works
which are rendered by this choir are of the
highest order. and this year the Easter
music will be the most elaborate the choir
has ever undertaken. DR.. B;schoff's abil-
ities as conductor and an organist are
well known to every Washingtonian, and
the work OF his singers testifies to his
knowledge of the musicians art
The next thing to a good leader is a cap
able orSan1St, and here again Washington
is favored most highly in its quota of mu-
sicians who handle this instrument. A
number of the leaders of choirs are organ
lists themselves, and among these may be
mentioned John Porter Lawrence of st.
Margaret's. DIR. Bischoff of the First Con-
gregational, Dr. Sherman of ST Thomas.
Mr. Mcleod of ST. Pauls, Mr. Kubel of st.
Aloysius', Mr.. William Waldecker of St.
Mary's. and a number of Others Among
the organiSts who not only know how to
edify their audiences and congregations by
voluntarfes, but who know how to accom-
pany solo voice or an immense chorus
with equal skill. may be mentioned Frank
Getest of Calvary Baptist Church, Mr. H
Clough Letter of the Church of the Epiph-
Presbyterian, Mr.. C. ]. Toof of the Church
of the Covenant and Mr.. G. w. Walter of
All Souls.
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