The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-06-07
VESTED CHOIRs OF WOMEN.
EpfscopaIians Return to Female
Voices After Having Tried Boys.
No. v@~Ix Co.,

ANCW lOIh Oun
The Introduction of women into the vested
choirs of Episcopal churches OF New York
and other cities has awakened general inter-
est among both Clergy and laity. With the
rapid increase in the number of boy choirs
throughout the country came a correspond
ing decline in the demand for women's
voices, until 1T almost seemed as IL they
would ultimately be driven out OF the choir
CT every Episcopal church. Something CT a
reaction appears TO have taken place, and
women have. to a considerable extent. re-
gained their old position in the services OF
the church, but under changed conditions.
From a musical point of view strong argu-
ments can be advanced for the retention of
female voices. Where the musical services
are OF a high standard boys. some choir
masters say, can never successfully be sub
stituted. The great composers Of sacred
for boys voices. To Hadyn, Handel, Bee
thoven, Gounod, Schubert and a host Of
others boy choristers were strangers. 1t is
necessary to turn to the English school to
IND compositions suitable for boys voices,
and here the field is limited. Then, too, it is
argued that, allowing that a compassionate
within the compass of a boys voice, there
is still lacking that intelligent conception Of
the score which comes only with mature
years Wnile once in a decade is heard a
voice OF exquisite beauty, coupled with the
musical intelligence Of an adult, such as the
famous Cooker, Blatchford, Kavanagh or
Harry Brandon possessed. the average boy
sings in a ffippant, immature way. totally
unSuited TO the proper and devotional rem
dering OF church music. Many organists will,
o0AAHA LAak DOyo nave never IHeL the TeUulre-
ment of an artistic musical service, and for
this reason hail with delight the prospect of
the return of the women. at least as soloists.
some nlteen years ago the Church of st.
Mary the Virgin in New York began en-
pioying women as %soloists, having The boys
for chorus work only. The former were not
vested, but, wearing a blue ven upon their
heads. were placed, not conspicuously, back
OF the cnancel arch. This innovation was
Followed by other churches and proved a
complete success. This may be termed the
beginning of the movement in this country
FOR the restoration of women to a place in
the musical service of the church, although
women were heard at Birmingham, England,
and In Australia, at Melbourne.
AT the present time in New York choirs of
vested women are heard at st. Bartho:o-
news, one OF the wealthiest churches of the
city, st. Georges. All Souls and others. In
some churches the women are robed in the
traditional cassock and Gotta, while in 9TH
ers the singers wear a black gown with
white %surplice, and a small cap on the head.
Occasionally an Oxford cap is worn. A few
churches, principally in suburban districts,
have installed choirs Of women in the chan
S Sonca ~ tba} tn vyestmenrs Some choir masters
eral. There Is something incongruous to
them in a varied array of bonnets and
dresses. and ~singularly out Of keeping with
the surroundings. Propriety would seem to
demand some appropriate habiliment. and
possibly some garment more appropriate TO
fem!ninfty than the cassOck and Gotta, which
will not trespass upon churchly traditions,
may yet be devised. While the new move
ment mas the approval or high ecclesiastical
authority. II Is bitterly opposed by a strong
section of the clergy, and even bishops have
raised their voice against what they con-
slider a practice violently out of keeping with
the traditions of the church. Bishop Doane,
OF Albany, recently said:
IF the women are TO sing they ought not
to be in the chancel. but outside of it, ard
they ought\not, in the interest OF all propri-
ETY., personal and ecclesiastical, to be in the
dress of men and boys. the cossack and Gotta
being just as much articles Of mae attire
1 as coats and trOuSersi'
It Is reported that Bishop Starkey. of New
Jersey. prohibited the appearance of q choir
of vested women in his diocese. Bishop
Nicholson. Of Milwaukee. is a bitter oppo-
nent OF the vested women. 2 He is recently
quoted as saying:
aside from the grave impropriety of the
matter. a growing evil. we fear. in certain
places. there arises the practical objection
of the fllegalit Of the practice in the eyes
of the civil law"
In spite of these outspoken views the move.
ment is gaining ground and e~nlisting ardent
supporters among both c,ergv and laity. II
is significant that at the service on Ascension
day at Trinity Church, when Reethoven's
Mass in G was rendered by the fun choir and
orchestra. the so.os were intrusted TO women
Trinity was one OF the first churches in this
| country 10 adopt a hoy choir, and when this
stronghold of the English cathedral service
surrenders to the women. the Importance oil
the event cannot be disregarded.