The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-08
SUMMER FESTIVAL.
Successful Affair Under Auspices
OF Congregational Club.
Address on the Spiritual Power Of Church
Music by Prof. Pratt.

The Congregational Club had a beauti-
full summer festival in the Trocadero
and the now Mathewson strcet church
last evening and large company was
entertained and instructed by sensible
address on music and fine illustration
OF the speakers meaning by an artistic
and gifted quartetto OF vOcalists. This
feature of the summer festival followed
satisfactory exercise at the supper table In
tho Trocadero. 1t was a brilliant com
pany of ladies and gentlemen ana the
theme and its illustration were in har-
mony with the we'll dressed and intelli-
gent audience made up OF persons who
were patrons of art in modest way and
who loved beautiful things because they
contributed TO make beautiful characters
and beautiful lives. lt was an evening of
unusual pleasure and profit without noisy
heralding.
The festival began at o'clock when
there was "a reception. This was followed
by supper at q IA q clock in the Trocadero.
At O'Clock the company returned 10 the
church and listened 10 the talk on music
and heard some fine singing Mr.. Tingley
who had direction OF the musical program
played Guilmant's "Grand Choer" and
Lemmens' "Iriumphal March,, on the
organ in his usual finished way. Prayer
was offered by Rev. 4. g. Mcclellan of
Newport and the quartet composed Of
Miss Florence q. knight soprano, of Port
land, Me-, Misc Katherine NJ. Kicker,
contralto, OF Boston, Walter l.. Towne,
tenor, +. l.. Martin, bass sang with fine
appreciation, and power My Heart is
Fixed, by Whiting.
Prof. Waldo :. Pratt OF tho Hartford
Theological seminary made an address on
"Spirtual Power in Church Music. It
l~ns a plain, unvarnished and sensible
talk and deiaonstrated that the speaker
was familiar with his topic and apprc-
Grated the value OF good music in
churches. His review Of certain existing
conditions was humorous and his arraign-
ment of some of the Publish presented in
the churches as music and aids 20 spirit
ual development was just and timely. He
believed that music was an essential in
worship. but IL must be good music. He
referred TO the old fashioned commonplace
tunes and the up-to-date product of jim
giles Something else was TO be desired
and something else must be provided IL
muic is TO assist in spiritual power.
Hymn singing Is the most universal
and central branch of church music
In this the thing most Co be sought Is
reality in the act, as opposed TO heed
less, lifeless Journalism. The average
treatment of this exercise Is not respect
sion or time Killer So the choice OF
hymn books is often carleness, especially
in the Sunday school or prayer meetings
Reality in hymn singing would be helped
by "a better standard Of tune playing, by
deliberate centering of the people's
Thought upon the sentiment OF every
hymn used, by selecting only hymns that
are truly expressive" proceeding forth
from the worshippers' hearts, and by tact
i'm fitting each hymn to its exact place in
the service. The tunes used should be
the best that prove practicable Culture
of con gregatioDal music is the only sure
foundation for organ ana choir music
since the latter demand different popu-
lar faculty, sensitiveness and experience
to make them popularity appreciated.
The speaker made passing reference
to organ music as n sadly neglected fea-
ture of church music and then considered
choir music which is antithetic or COM
Elementary TO congregational music in
that il is intrinsically impressive, pro-
ceeding toward the people The prime
element Of spiritual power here was said
to be the personality of the singer, which
must be known and felt TO no noble and
devout IL tho hearers respect for the
singer is impaired, tho singing cannot
be spiritually effective But the bearer
must meet the singer half way, avoiding
an attitude of indifference of disdain, Of
captious criticism and cultivating spirit
of cordial friendliness and sympathy
Constant shifts of policy arc demoral-
lzing The principal anthem should be
given a place of honor in the service, pref.
erably near the Bible reading or the chief
prayer. The singers should make not
only the words but the entire meaning Of
the anthem clearly intelligiblo.
Emphasis was made on the importance
of the musical leader, who ought TO bc
real pastors assistant, sympathetic with
commanding the respect OF the people
But spiritual power in the music is not TO
be expected except where the general tone
of spirituality in minister and people Is
strong and healthy.
The good impression made by the ad,
dress was accumulated by the subsequent
singing. Mr.. Towne, favorite and cap
able tenor sang Sullivan's How Many
Hired Servants. y from "Prodigal Son"
with musical skill and appreciation. Miss
Kicker, who has IA full, rich, round voice
sang Praise the Lord, by Scarlatti
The quartet rendered Chadwick s "Goi
to Whom We Look Up Blindly." Miss
Knights frosh, tuneful voice was delight
full in Il Will Extol Thee, O Lcrd, /" by
Costa. The duet by Miss knight and Miss
Kicker was superb and Gauls They
Shall Hunger No More, +" was beautifully
rendered. Miss Kicker was especially
effective in Saint-Saens' Thou, O Lord
Art My Protector" and the quarfet's
singing of Parker's 1.-The Lord Is My
Light" closed the festival. A bad cold
prevented Mr.. Martin from contributing
solo numbers to the charming entertain