The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-11

department stores. Who would have tnn- agtned i've years ago that sinEer would have chance to make money m tnls way? Excellent singers appear at these concerts and large audiences are the rue Solo singing has been lately introduceo in the city parks programs for the concerts given at stated periods caring the sum soloists as often as masculine singers
 Another opportunity for the woman singer Is presented in formal iuncheons given by wealthy society women, A vocat quartet is frequently engageo 10 renacr a special program. The singers are sta~ toned In an anteroom, light -portieres sep arating the apartments, or else portion cf the dining room is screened OH TOT tiny music room.
 church choir has become qualified Tor the position of soloist. there are opportun- ities for her to obtain e little money oy singing in certain church choruses, wnere the choiristers are paid smal sum. A. Al chorus choirs are not paid ones, but the large churches usually remunerate tneir chorus singers. Another chance for the woman singer Is in chofr, wnere m ao- dition to the soprano of the quartet an additional soprano with a Booa Voice is engaged as chorus leader.
 Wedding receptions occasionally oner woman singer a chance to earn rec, and home christenings likewise, wnile there is scarcely gathering or any prom,
 
 or church. at which solo singing is not feature of the program. From the grad- uation exercises of class or trained nurses to a Dorcas Society tea, the ser vices of the trained singer are in demand. Not always, 1t must be admitted, are the singers compensated for their services at gatherings of this character, but reward sometimes comes In the way or future engagements and remuneration growing out of the' volunteer service. The de- mand for singers at funeral services Is a pronounced one, and women share in fair degree the return from this demand, the customary fee for such service being from $I5 upward At house services un- accompanied singing Is the general GUS tom, and the vocalists' powers are here taxed somewhat more than in ordinary singing.
 The house musicale presents excellent opportunities for singer, not so much, perhaps. in the display of her vocal aoii- ity as in the remuneration, for the fee Is in many cases a substantial one.
 The church soloist. however, Is the one | who, if so fortunate as to secure po- sition in a prominent church, has the ''surest thing" Her work is well defined. and although 1t is exacting, and in order | to obtain her position she must use not only her voice but her wits and that magic thing called Influence" stiH, once | obtained, a choir position is the best thing an average vocalist can obtain. some church sopranos of note have been paid what appear to DC very high saia- | ries, but they are not always successes | as church soioists, and some weli-trained I singers of average talent Will often give more satisfaction in a church choir than a soloist with voice available for the concert platform. Sopranos command higher prices than altos in choir. as | they take a leading part. Five hundred dollars per year is q moderate price for a soprano in the average church: In a
 smaller church half that sum Is paid, and I a. ~~Sx, hn .1ffx xeah h .
 a small appropriation for it's choir. Altos are well paid. however, the sun, ! varying with the prestige and capabilities | of the singer. The choir singer can aug ment her income by giving a benefit con- cert or recitals in the church.
 There Is money to be made in teaching | singing. The popular practice of running after a teacher with name extends tc the pupils and presently a good and earn l est singer who has studied long under | some prominent teacher can swell her in-
 como materially by teaching, and very
 good rates are obtained by competent in | str7ictors.
 The number of singing teachers has in. creased in recent years as well as the | number of professional singers. and there
 has been a change in the method ot teach | ing. These days when so many voice:
 are made" there is more encouragement
 for the average singer to look for sue
 cess in the professional field than evei
 before. By the term made" in regard tt
 the voice, Is meant that development
 which in reality is the building of i
 from the very foundation, ano not talk
 ing, as was the case in the earlier days
 a beautiful vocal organ and smoothing l
 into stilt more perfect shape.
 Although the field would seem to b
 crowded. those in a position to know clain
 that the woman vocalist stands a goo'
 chance of Ing livelihood in thl
 country. and in England, according to
 writer in a recent issue of a ieadint
 weekly, tho prospects are even better.