Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-13
Music al

For the third time in Its history the choir
OF the First Methodist Episcopal church
sings a funeral service IN memory Of q de-
parted clergyman, who was in close touch
with them and with their work. Rev. John
McQuoid, who fell asleep a few short sea-
sons ago; Bishop John p. Newman, about
the same time, and now Rev. Augustine @.
Hirst. who left last week to hear the choir
invisible, sk=siug Of the earthly tabernacle
Of this body, in Chicago, on Thursday even
ing.
Today his choir will sing a o Of hope.
a song Of that place where there are no
shadows, where all is light and song. And
with the thought Of the great master-poet
each one will devoutly sing Of an earnest
desire that there may be no moaning Of
the bar when I put out 10 sea-" The doctor,
whose ministry, as far as his choir was
concerned. was one Of mutual appreciation,
has met his Pilot face to face. His bark
has been waited Ger the boundless deep
by winds Of gentle f~ullness, and as he has
turned again home" he has left behind
him a deep and beautiful sea of kind
thoughts, generous actions. great plans full
filled and deeds Of valor one in the church
militant.
with such clergymen as DR.. Hirst choir
work is a pleasure. When the recording
angel looks over his record he will not
find many places where the word Of praise
was withheld. DR.. Hirst knew full we'll the
value Of the ministry of music. Many and
many a time has his presence at rehearsal
been a delight. And he used to enjoy the
working out Of musical details. Is it any
wonder, then, that the choir would listen
spellbound to his description Of the con-
version Of the Priestess OF Python, or fol-
low him in his tremendous torrents OF ora
tory as he expanded on the vital verify OF
the faith Of our fathers.
Such clergymen never have trouble with
their choirs, and choirs under such a min
istry are drawn very close to the kingdom,
which, we are told, must be entered into "a
q little child.
I know nothing Of DR.. Hirst as q theolo-
sian. nor do worry thereat. But ! do
| know that music in Omaha has lost a close
friend and the best ideals Of church music
a stalwart supporter and enthusiastic cham
pion.
He has gone-a little way ahead, that's
ALI
I have received q letter from a friend who
informs me that the Ellery band Is making
a most emphatic success under the new
leader. Ny friend read the article In this
column some weeks ago in which 1 COM
mented upon the fact that Creatore and
his band were coming here without Gre
atore. The letter is accompanied with a
newspaper clipping highly eulogistic OF the
new leader.
Isaw in q paper last week that the Audi
torium directory had selected as the ofnclal
opening music Of the Auditorium a piece
called the March Of the White Rats"
This is gratifying. NextI
Mrs. J. I, Cook will assist the choir Of
the Walnut Hill Methodist church today,
singing for the offertory music a solo,
''Face to Face"
Mr.. Marion Green, bass soloist Of st.
Luke's church, Dubuque, was a caller at
this efice yesterday, He was on his way
to Denver to fill an engagement there. ]
passed him over to the redoubtable Taber
at that point. Mr.. Taber Is organist OF a
prominent church there.
There is one musician in Omaha whose
work is lone In a very obscure place and
vet I have no doubt but that his music is
heard by more people every Sunday than
any organist or choirmaster in the city. He
has been playing twice every Sunday and
his programs have been very varied. and
in spite of all that, he has never had a
program in this paper, nor has his name
ever crept into print here. I refer to Mr..
Lanzendorfer. His studio is in the belfry
of Trinity cathedral and his instrument
the cathedral chimes. His work has been
most distinctly gratifying. His tempo Is
good, his tones are we'll brought out with
out hating and without "syncopation." He
has been r~eviving a number Of the old
tunes and they have come with an ire
sistible charm to us in the last few weeks.