The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-03-17
TRINITY CHURCH CHOIR
CONSISTS OF Se VoICES UNDER DI- RECTI0N OF REY. c. ". BISPHAM.

EECTI0N or RET. c. ", BISPHAM. The Male Altos Feature of the Choir Repertoire of 250 Anthems and as Many Services-Some of the Compositions kendered-"Daughter of Jairus" Being Rehearsed.
 On May 1, 1884, Trinity church in- augurated the first Episcopal boy choir in New Haven and by honest and con seientious effort it has attained a very high standard of musical eXcellency. To-day it consists of thirty-two voices, balanced as follows Fourteen so- pranos, four male altos, three first tenors, three second tenors five bari tones and three second bassos. The sopranos are taught to use the head tone exclusively and the flute-like voices, which goes by so many names, and is yet so unmistakable when heard, Is developed in all the choristers. preparatory class meets every Saturday morning to undergo a drill In voice culture and tone production and when the voice of one of the elder boys changes, the most promising of the pro- bationers takes his place, and is much the better for the training.
 The exercises used with the boys are those in vogue at St. Pauls Cathedral, London. Trinity's choir is unique in one respect, viz, the male altos. Spen- Epp CI1Y,x hA al Handel wrote, and the listeners at the Handel Festival cannot but feel the strength and romance which the men altos give to the harmony. The voice of the men altos, however, was never common, and is becoming less common than 1t was"
 A certain silvery sweetness is ob- tained from these voices, and the pathos and carrying power in concerted music is truly marvellous. Of the tenors and passes little need be said Suffice it to say that they are all cultivated voices, and every man is competent to do solo work, should the occasion demand it.
 The repertoire of 250 anthems and probably an equal number of services consists principally of the good, solid, English school of church music and during rendition particular attention is given to a-capella and ensemble eff fects. In addition to the ordinary rout- inc work, the choir gives special mu- sical service on the evening of the third Sunday in each month, at which it is customary to produce section of an oratorio or a complete cantata. At the services the following compositions have been rendered during the past six months: Spohr's Christian Prayer, Garrett's Harvest Cantata," and the same authors Two Advents," parts and of Farmers Christ and His Sol diers," scene 6 from Gaul's Passion Services" and Stainers Daughter of Jairus, is under rehearsal for April. The precentor, Rev. c. w. Bispham, is a musician of great ability, with dra- matic, well cultivated basso voice hav- ing a range of nearly three octaves. He comes of a very musical family, one of his cousins, David Bispham, being a member of the Metropolitan Opera company
 The organist, Harry J. Read, having been a chorister in England, and with fifteen years of experience in Baltimore and vicinity. five of which he spent with the Rev. Mir Bisphan. at St. Michael and All Angles churches in Washington, D. C., is thoroughly in touch with the precentor, and performs his duty with dignity, and in a churchly manner. The roster at present is as follows: Trebles, Masters Dillon Wright, Wellington. Pierce, Rice Cooley, Waud E. Kessell, Merritt Throm. Seymour, Henrichs, Gardner and Brandt; altos, Messrs. Plenes Haddon, Williams and Parsons; tenors Messrs. Bradley, Heinig, Belden Wheeler, Goncley and Eddy; passes Messrs. Smith, Butler, Benham, Doolit tie, Henbirch, Wildman and Ellsner librarian, Master, William Wright. Or May the choir will be strengthened by the addition of Messrs. Pierce, Wood stock and Worcester alto, tenor ant bass respectively.
 Rev. Dr. Van De Water of St. An. dreWs' church of New York will or every afternoon of this week deliver ar address at Trinity church, eommenc ing at o'clock. The address will las about fifteen minutes. Dr. Van D, Water comes recommended as one O the very best preachers and his ap pearance is being eagerly anticipated.