Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-27
ON CHOIR SINGING.
MISS sTOCKDELL EXPRESSES SOME
VIEWS on THIS sUBJECT.
Is TO MODERN CHURCH MUSIC.
A Sharp Criticism of Two Distin-
gushing Cbaracteristics-Th Chill
Advice to Young Vocalists.

The following article, from the pen of
Miss Helen Gibson Stockdell. contains
some practical suggestions in regard TO
chorus singing. Miss Stockdell IS one Of
the earnest musicians of the city. and
what she has 10 say on this and other
phases of the Divine Art is we'll worth
an attentive ear:
From personal experience, and from
observing the effect of chorus singing
among members OF a choir and private
class of vocal pupils, / very heartily en-
dorse chorus singing as a means OF de-
veloping the voice and the machinery or
the voice; that is, the lungs, throat, chest
and the tongue lips, and other muscles
employed in enunciation.
IF the singer knows deep breathing,
an hour or two of chorus work, with IN
tervals OF rest, will quicken the circula-
ton Of blood all over the system, giving
the delightful feeling of exhilaraton such
as a brisk walk in bracing air brings.
There is a mistaken notion going
around that chorus Of choir singing is
Injurious TO the voice. 1t may be maze
so py a person persisting in loud singing
during rehearsal, but in itself it not only
Is not injurious, but on the contrary Is
full of opportunity for good.
DON'T AFFECT LOUD SINGING.
.eWith a correct method OF breathing TO
start with, and the resolve not TO be the
loudest singer In your part, your voice
ought TO gain everything and lose nothing
by chorus work. Aim at accuracy OF
pitch and clean enumeration stra aslt
through. and let loudness alone except
where the II calls for it. You VIII De 90
ing better service TO the chorus than
you possibly could by continuous loud
singing. An habitual LOUD singer IS apt
10 be a sloven in regard TO the nicetios
required in good work-hnal letters OF
words. expression marks, etc. Besides,
loud singing wears the voice out, brings
on throat trouble, makes the singer urea
bodily, and, 1 have observed, Is aPt 10
make irritable nerves. This Is especlally
so in children, who are often goaded INTO
the hideous loud singing by the teachers
I'm Sunday school and day school, gaming
TO them TO sing out And they 90 sins
out, in every sense OF the Motu,
THE CHII-DREN'S CHORUS
"Iust here I would ike to say that II
was a great relief and Joy 10 me iasl
spring, during that memorable ChiiuIen o.
Day OF our beautiful festival, TO near oi,y
natural, sweet tones from the cnhuIS i,
chorus. had had fears, knowlhs via
sort OF work is done now and then anons
children But after the first NUMBER my
fears were gone, and ! gave myseiI up
10 the pleasure and surprise OF realizins
that Richmond has al last "na. otnv 49,.
cities have so long counted among thelr
treasures-a well-trained childrens eho-
rus. May there never come q time wn ,th
the "Wednesday Club shall find itself Win
out this most valuable assistant IN builo-
ing up the cause OF music IN virginia.
AS A TRAINING SCHOOL.
'sro return to adults, the only sort OF
nerson I should ever advise 10 keep out
OF chorus and choir (snd that only tenn
porarily) Ii the very young man or Mo-
man having promise Of unusual voice
power. but who has not yet had lessons
in the art Of placing ths tones prSaps sny.
yhere-not even In solo at home-untii
competent instruction has Sc, the p' v1' f.
unfortunately, the individual possessing
the voice has no means OF securing pri-
vsts instruction, and so no prospect or
ever bringing the voice to Its best de-
veiopment, should say II was better 10
take chances with soma choir or club,
under a careful director, than 10 get no
Measure out Of the vocal possession al
ID $780, thA taiants saven Us than