The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-12-30
LYRICS.

The oldest speaking now
of the past thirty years-has yet to see
the time when Salt Lake was not mu-
steal metropolis; and the world has yet
to produce another city the same age
and size where music is found in great
er abundance and where a superior
quality of talent exists. 1t has been
said that the founders of Utah sang, or
tried to, before they ever attempted to
preach a sermon Every prayer utter
ed on the long journey across the
plains, it is related, was preceded by
singing, and after their arrival here,
about the first thing that made it's ap-
pearance, long before potatoes, the first
article planted, was a hymn. Other
| hymns followed and at the early pc
riOd of 1859 or Whereabouts President
Brigham Young ordered the cOnstTuc-
ton of the Tabernacle organ. The
crudest timber was used in the work
and the tireless efforts of its builders,
working under every disadvantage,
made it one Of the grandest instru-
ments in the world. The Tabernacle
choir. consisting of 400 or 500 voices,
became in after years one of the most
famous choral organizations of the
world. and VIII uphold its reputation
as such just as long as the members
feel that pride that attaches to mem
bership in the famous body and the
proper training is available
Looking back through the last year
of the century, there is much in the
way Of development in Salt Lake mu-
steal circles. Probably the most i'm
poTtant event is the creation of free
recitals at the Tabernacle, given twice
a week, through the courtesy of the
first presidency Of the Mormon church,
by Professor John j. Mcclellan. organ
list, assisted by other local talent. The
free recital idea originated with Mr.
Mcclellan, who only a short while ago
became the Tabernacle organist. These
performances Sprang into popularity
instantaneously, and quite frequently
the attendance runs as high as 1000.
Tourists have repeatedly declared that
no finer music is heard anywhere in
the world without admission fee, and
the two recitals each week, on Wednes-
days and aSturdays. attract hundreds
of travellers who have heard Of them
in other parts Of the country. MI. dc
Clellan has been assisted by such mu-
sicians as II. $. Goddard J. J. Daynes.
Lizzie Thomas Edwards. John Robin
son, the Whitney quartette and Nat NJ.
Brigham. who is visiting his Ola home.
A popular chord has been struck in this
form of entertainment, and it is to be
hoped that the recitals viii long be con-
tinUed.
The visit of Director Evan Stephens
of the Tabernacle choir to Europe dur
ing the year means q great deal
to that famous organization. 1t was.
veritably. a tour of observation in the
world of music, and all that Mr. Steph-
ems gained by his trip is gradually be-
ing worked into the choir he % ably
conducts. At d meeting held only this
past week ne talked to his chOirsters
as father might approach a prodigaI
son, the basis of his criticism being the
continual absence OF some members of
the choir from rehearsaIs His appeaI
met with an encouraging response. and
it is Mr.. stephens intention to build
up the work of the choir TO the highest
possible standard. Some fifty or sixty
voices have been added to the organi-
cation Salt Lakers have of late been
accustomed to.