Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-11
THE CHORAL SOCIETY
QUESTION OF SUNDAY NIGHT
CONCERTS TO BE DECIDED.
Circular Sent to Contributing Members
Setting Forth the Present
Conditions.

At meeting of the board of managers OF
the Choral Society, held on June 4, 1903. the
following resolutions were adopted, stat
ing that as the Congregational Church is
no longer available for the work of this
society, and upon very careful inquiry no
suitable auditorium has been found in the
District Of Columbia available for its con-
certs on week nights, and the society is
confronted with the alternative of abandon
ing the presentation Of oratorio and other
like compositions or Of giving its concerts
on Sunday evenings;
Be 1t resolved by the board of managers
of the Choral Society:
/. That in the Judgment Of the board
of managers 1t is preferable to hold the So
ciety's concerts on Sunday evenings in one
Of the theaters in the city rather than to
abandon its long contfnued sphere of work.
E. That its concerts, If held on Sundays,
should be limited strictly to the perform
ance of works of sacred character.
g. That full statement Of the reasons
for this resolution be transmitted to all
the active and sustaining members of the
society, with a request for an expression Of
their views before the policy of the society
for the coming year is definitely adopted.
Statement Of Reasons.
In compliance with the last resolution an
sent to the active and sustaining members
Of the Choral Society. After showing the
impossibility of continuing it's work in the
Congregational Church, on account of the
declaration Of the Commissioners of the
District that the church would be subject
to taxation If rented, three possible plans
for the coming year were submitted In
preference to the suspension of the Societya
work. These are:
% The use of Convention Hall.
(2) The giving up of the larger compost.
tons and the limitation of the society's
programs to such smaller compositions as
can be given with piano accompaniment 10
a small hall.
60 The continuation of the society's
present policy in presenting oratorio and
like works by the use of one of the thea
tiers for such purposes on Sunday even
ings, combining the programs exclusively to
sacred works.
The difficulties in giving concerts in Con-
vention Hall are considered and the con-
clusion reached that 1t is impracticable to
venture on a plan, certain to be without
good esthetic results and presenting so
many difficult questions of business man
agement
The second plan is considered only as an
alternative to the entire abandonment of
the society's work. 1t would keep together
body of singers under the name of the
Choral Society, but would necessarily
cupy a far less field artistically than the
society has occupied
Advantages Of Sunday Plan.
The advantages of the Sunday plan are:
%. That the theaters afford satisfactory
auditoriums.
(2). That by cooperation with the Wash
ington Symphony Orchestra the society can
have what it has long mcclellan orches-
trail accompaniment.
While the details of the latter plan have
not yet been arranged, the suggestions of
the society for the use of the orchestra
have been received in so cordial a spirit by
it's conductor and business manager that
no doubt is entertained of final corpora
ton.
The statement then discusses the ques-
ton whether substantial objection can be
brought upon religious grounds to perform
ances Sunday nights in the theaters.
confined strictly to sacred works. under the
conditions governing the Choral Society's
concerts.
The experience of the Handel and Hadyn
Society of Boston since 1915 in holding it's
rehearsals and concerts on Sunday IS
thought of value, and letters were written
to several clergymen of Boston, submitting
to each the following questions:
l. In your opinion, and that generally of
your acknowledgment, has the rendition of
sacred choral music by the Handel and
Hadyn Society on Sunday evenings de-
tracted from the SacrednesS. of the day?
2. Do you and your fellow clergymen gen.
orally look upon the performance of sacred
music on Sunday evenings by the Handel
and Hadyn Society as opposed to the best
interests of the churches Of Boston or as
an adjunct to their work?
The Rev. William Byrne DID,, rector Of
ST. Cecilia's Catholic Church, answers these
questions categorically as follows:
Il. No. Oratorio, given here on Sum
days. is quite solemn. and improves the re-
ligious tone of the people.
go. No-rather a help
The Rev. DR.. George A. Gordon pastor of
COnprepa
swers as follows:
"OLD SOUTH PARSONAGE,
BOSTON, May 10, 1903.
Dear Mr.. King: am really unable to
answer your questions. I do not think that
the concerts of which you speak on Sunday
evening effect my congregation in any way,
but that might not be true of other congre-
cations. am sure that the music which
the Handel and Hadyn Society would rem
der could not be other than an inspiration
to all who hear 1t.
Very truly yours,
Rev. DR.. Scott F. Hershey of the First
Church, formerly of this city,
makes the following reply:
BACK BAY, Boston, June 1, 1903.
my dear Mr.. King: l have your letter of
inquiry in regard to the Choral Society.
My impression in regard to the Sunday
evening of the Handel and Haydn Society
In Boston is this: First, that their Sunday
night meetings have mostly been for re-
hearsal and not open to the public; second
ly, that the two, or possibly three, nights
year when they have opened their gather
ings to the public have in no wise injured
the work of the church. / think the clergy
men of this city stand non-committal on
the matter. Certainly, there can be no
serious objection to the sacred oratorio on
Sabbath nights, unless it be made a mere
matter of commercalism, and I am I'M
compromisingly opposed to all commercial
uses of the Sabbath. You may make any
use of this opinion that you desire. 1 am,
most respectfully,
SCOTT F. HERSHEY"
Rev. DR.. Edward Everett Hale Unitarian,
makes the following reply:
"ROXBURY, Mass, May 23 1903
my dear sir: I am much obliged to you
for your letter of the 21st. 1 think you
may say without the least hesitation that
the performance of sacred music by the
Handel and Haydn Society has been of
great spiritual and religious advantage to
the city of Boston. / do not think that ten
persons in Boston could be found who
would express a different opinion, If they
knew anything about the facts
For my part 1 should be greatly indebt-
ed to the Handel and Haydn Society If they
would make an appointment for me to per-
form one of these great oratorios at my
church, at any hour of Sunday they chose,
or any other day. Truly yours.
EDWARD E. HALE"
Rev Paul Revere rockingham of the
Arlington Street Unitarian Church. answers
as follows:
1894 Beacon Street,