The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-19
SWEET CHRISTMAS MUSIC.
Praise Songs in The City Churches to
be Unusually Good.
PROGRAMMES CAREFULLY SELECTED.
Rehearsing and the Music VIII
be Rendered in the Most
Creditable Manner.

Amid the various pleasures during
Christmas few are more heartily enjoy
ed than the delightful music rendered IN
the churches Of the city on Christmas
Day and the Sunday following People
who attend religious services on these
two Gays are accustomed TO hearing ad-
mra0lo sacred music. indeed. the music
rendered in the sanctuaries in this city in
celebration OF This great festival mas at
tracteG from -ear 10 year favorable COM
ment on the part Of strangers visiting
here at the dime as we'll as from Rich
mend people themselves.
There are few cities Of the same size
that enjoy better musical events than are
offered lovers of harmony in this city.
For some years church music especially
has been gradually developing into one
OF the strongest features of the local
musical field. until now in quite a num-
Der OF the city sanctuaries one may hear
programmes of very high merit at the
Easter ana Christmas festivals. During
tho past two or three years certain
amount OF pride IN their work has been
manifested by the choir directors. In
some instances sort OF frie adly rivalry
has arisen, and this has serve to stimu-
late ia no SNAIL measure the efforts OF
those who were connected with the choirs.
The result has been ;hat in such churches
as ST. Peters Cathedral. ST. Paul's Holy
Trinity. ST. Mary's. All Saints. Cente-
nary. the Second Baptist and number
Of others the development has been al
most remarkable. aud now at each OF
these churches and a number OF others
one hears admirable singing almost every
Sunday.
MADE SPECIAL EFFORTS.
II is quite natural that at such seasons
as Christmas and Easter special efforts
are made by both directors and singers
20 OFFER such a musical programme as
will produce at least n favorable impress
sion upon those who care for the divine
art. The directors themselves select their
programmes with a great deal of care,
trying TO choose pieces that are both suit
able TO the occasion and at the same time
within tho sphere Of the singers capa-
Utilities.
During the past two or three weeks a
number OF the directors have been har>
az work on their programmes and have
made special efforts 10 assist the mem
bers Of their choirs 10 become familiar
with thc pieces a glance NJ some Of
the programmes published below will be
.ufnclent evidence that In number OF
the churches the music will be very fine
At ri. Peters, where the music Is always
good there will he a particularly attrac-
Five programme this year. ST. Pauls will
furnish the lover OF music with all he
Aesives. while the Second Baptist with
ITS complete orchestra. Holy Trinity and
ether, will have excellent singing.
one OF the beet choirs IN the city. and
indeed. in this part Of the country. IS that
:, centenary Methodist church. II will
ne remembered that the Centenary QUAR-
se,te once took the competitive prize al
IRE Mozart Academy here. II was then
unde, the Same efficient direction as now.
eat ~ Mr. Sheppard Webb. who is con-
.eded 10 be one OF the best organists and
H,rectors IN the South. Mr.. Webb takes
special pride ir the work OF ms quar-
ses,t. an0 nc has arranged for this Christ
rns, as usual an especially attractive
mus'eai programme.
Ss,sw xin he given the presumnaa In