The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-01
INSTRUCTIONS. IN MUSIC.
Gethsemane Church Choir Used to
Demonstrate Paper.


Demonstrate a Paper.
If some of the parents and others
who are opposed to music in the pub
lie schools and regard the time spent
in teaching the little ones the elements
OF music as wasted, could have been
present at the gathering at the Plym-
mouth church yesterday afternoon and
heard the arguments and listened to
some of the music Of childish voices,
they might change their minds and
wish that their children could have all
the opportunities in this direction that
they can possibly receive. This, the
closing session of the music section of
the Minnesota Educational association,
was the most enjoyable, and, in some
respects, the most profitable to the
teachers present, of the entire session.
The attendance was quite large. There
were many teachers from the local pub
lie schools present, and quite a number
who were attracted thither by the pro-
gramme who are not interested in
teaching.
The chief event of the afternoon was
the paper by George H. Normington,
choirmaster@ of Gethsemane church,
Minneapolis, on 1.-THE Training Of Boys
Voices" Mr.. Normington's views, in
some respects, were freely combated,
but on the whole he was complimented
by frequent applause, and the results
of his method Of teaching and training
boys in music, was demonstrated in a.
choir of twelve boys from Mr.. Nor
mington'S choir.
There are two parts to boys voices"
said Mr. Normington. According to
the theory and teaching of some noted
instructors, the thick and thin parts,
or, the head and chest tones. For my
part, do not SO classify the tones Of
boys throat. 1t is the middle part
of the voice that must be watched and
cared for, so that there may be blend
ing Of the upper and lower tones with
out flaw or break. This middle voice
should be worked carefully on vowel
sounds on the ascending and descend
ing scales until the break cannot be
noticed. Scales practiced downward
are the best for equaliZing the voice.
All the vocal organs should be kept
free and relaxed, then the blending Of
the upper and lower tones will take
place naturally. If a boy and a girl
Of the same age should be trained to-
gether from early childhood, and each
be taught to sing and speak softly,
their voices would be exactly alike
But boys force their voices by loud
shouts and screams in the violence of
their games, and for that reason are
apt to ruin their lower voice at an
early age. If possible, the choirmaster
should have his boys as early as eight
years Of age. Then the training is
such that the lower voice is preserved.
without detriment to the lads sport. A
boys voice, when carefully trained, Is
wider in range and finer than that of
woman. The transition stage when
the boys voice begins to break, is the
critical time. The boy should not be
allowed to sing at this time. In my
practice and observance 1 have found
this prohibition from the use Of the
voice in singing to be most beneficial.
My pupils have told me that they were
benefited by this enforced rule, and !
have noticed that the voice that rested
during this period is stronger, better
and purer than an equally good voice
forced during this period Of transition
1 have to thank and compliment the
teachers in the public schools for the
Improvement in the applicants for
choir work"
To illustrate his talk, Mr.. Morning
ton had the choir boys sing a series OF
exercises, by DR.. Stainer, organist of
ST. Paul's church. London, written
especially for boys. Following, the
boys sang a short cantata, THE Her
mit's Harp" written by Franz Abt
The beauty Of the youthful voices
aroused the audience to frequent ap-
plause. The solo parts were maintained
George Meader, alto.
Although time for discussion was
limited, there was cross-fire of ques-
tions, which kept Mr. bennington busy
for a time. Some Of the teachers did
not agree with the paper that the boys
should not sing during the period OF
changing voice. In answer to the
question, Mr.. Normington said he did
not instruct his boys not to sing in
the schools during that period. II tell
them to sing SOFTLY said. Mr.. Morning
ton.
In contrast to the selected and
trained singers of Mr. Normington'e
| choir Prof. Congdon, of st. Paul, in
trOduced a large number of scholars
who have been taught by him and by
q method dissimilar to that pursued
by the Minneapolis choirmaster. The
pupils, fifty in number, were from the
rooms Of Miss Anna Yost, of the
Franklin school, and Miss Gibbons, OF
the Sibley school. Prof. Congdon'G
talk was to show the use of syllables
in teaching music to children. His
pupils showed marked proficiency, moi
| the sweetness and smoothnesS Of the
trained singers who had just been
heard, but a fullnesS of tone and conf
dence Of attack in choral efforts, and
in demonstrating the use of sy1lables
Prof. Congdon was highly compli-
| mented for the splendid showing OF
the children.
The business session was then held
and the following officers elected, after
which the meeting was finally ad-
| journed:
Presldent-C. H. Congdon, ST. Paul.
Vice President-Mrs A. F. Chaplin, Hast
ings.