New-York tribune., 1904-09-26
NEW CHURCH CHOIR LAW.
Report to Archbishop-Non-Catho
lies and Women Cannot Sing

music OF hturslcaI functions of the Catholic
Church has made its report and the Arch
oishop mas ordered that this report shall form
for this diocese the law relating to music at all
liturgical functions.
The report follows:
II Is evident from careful study Of the instruc-
ton of the Holy Father a. that he requires the
Gregor1an music to be restored in every church
i 70 us hlsh place OF honor during the nturgical
services. and that especially the proper of the
mass and the antiphons ETC. of the vespers
oe rendered according TO the same: (2) that In
tne ordinary or common of the mass and for
the PsaIrns OF vespers while the Gregorian is
10 be preferred, the Palestrinan or even the
modern style OF music. may be used. provided
tne latter De strictly religious and ecclesiasti-
cal IN character and the music correspond
Win the words OF the liturgical text without
omissions, nversions or vain repetitions; G0
lnaC the music be such not TO attract too
much to itself the attention Of the hearers,
as 10 become source OF distraction from the
divine service to which IL must be entirely sub
servtent as an aid to devotion: and (4) that boy
cnolrs take the place OF soprano and contralto
singers IN our churches. Whenever IL is de-
sired TO employ the voices of sopranos and con-
traltos. these parts must be taken by boys, ac-
Church"
In order that the will of the Sovereign Pontiff
pe carried out as far as practicable in the
churcheS OF this diocese, the following abuses
wherever found are to be eliminated: Cd the
singing OF pieces in language other than Latin
during a liturgical function, for example dur
ing high mass and vespers. and between the
tlons OF Latin words to songs, arias concerted
pieces borrowed from operas or other secular
sources; 90 the use of masses in which the
hyr1e. Gloria. etc. are divided into separate
complete movements not necessarily having
musical connection with one another or in
which are interspersed long organ preludes or
interludes; a. the use OF compositions in which
the words are transposed omitted or unduly
peated' and in which rests are interpOlated be-
tween syllables of a word; (5) the use Of music
whose style in either the vocal part or the ac-
compartment is suggestive OF the concert or the
theatre; 60 the vesper Psalms composed "di
concerto" that is, in several complete and inde-
pendent movements: 90 the use OF those settings
OF the "Tantum Ergo In which the first
and the second are In contrast. for example.
the one to slow, the other TO quick movement;
% the accompaniment of the organ TO the
Preface. the Pater NoSter. lite missa est. during
high mass 90 long interludes intermezzos.
especially Of a profane character: Q0l the omis-
sion Of any part prescribed to be sung at high
mass or vespers. Hence the proper is to be sung
IN Gregorian chant else rectted recto tono
by one or several voices until the choir is
trained to sing 1t correctly. When the proper
vespers cannot be sung because of the inability
of the choir. the complete liturgical vespers OF
given.
The Psalms are generally to be sung in Grego-
rian chant but the modern music may be en-
ployed If composed after the manner OF psal-
mody, that is, one side responding to the other.
IF time permit, a motet appropriate to the day
or feast may be sung after the proper offertOry
has been rendered in Gregorian; CID the spirit
IF the Church and the very nature OF things for
bid that persons who do not believe with US be
members Of the ecclesiastical choir. The in
congruity OF an unbeever in Christianity saying
"Credo in Jesum Christum' is obvious; the con-
tradiction implied in having those who believe
not in the Real Presence singing the "Tantum
Ergo" is self-evident. Furthermore even pro-
Tossing Catholics whose lives are in conflict
with their belief should he excluded; for, IN the
words of the Holy Father. only those are 70 be
admitted to form part Of the choir OF the church
who OF known piety and probity Of life.
and by their modest and devout bearing. during
the Hturgical functions, show that they are
lit is strictly forbidden to have bands play in
church. and only in a special case and with the
consent OF the ordinary will it be permissible 70
admit number OF wind instruments. limited
we'll selected, and proportioned 10 the size OF
the place-provided the composition and the ac-
compartment 70 be executed be written in a
grave and suitable Style and similar to that
proper 70 the organ"
AS a practical means TO the fuIhlment OF the
nrescriptions of the HOLY Fathers instruction,
the commission recommends the following
That a catalogue of the modern masses and
motets that are either 10 be recommended or
permitted in this diocese be prepared by
committee to be named for that purpose
That every pastor send the said committee
list OF all music sung or played in his church
That systematic teaching of music be required
IN all Catholic schools; that examinations In II
be regularly made by the diocesan school tnspec-
tor, as in the other studies; and that where no
Catholic school exists a music class for men
or boys. or both. be formed at once The teach
ing, TO be effective. is to comprise; (a) sight
various chants OF hiSh mass, vespers ana oene-
diction.
AS soon as the Typical Edition OF the Grego-
rian chant is issued. public lessons In the tradt-
tional chant are TO be given to organists choir
directors and singers. All organists actually
holding positions will be obliged TO attend one
regular course; the same Will apply TO choir
directors. The subjects Will include the accom-
paniment of Gregorian music and the lturgtcal
rules regarding singing and the organ
If possible. a conservatory for church music
should be organized under the control Of dio-
cesan authority Tor at least with it's official rec
osnition and APPROVAL having professors Tor
the various branches of church music for the
training Of organists and teachers
The committee consisted of James II. Nc
Gean. domestic prelate OF Plus Y, and rector of
ST. Peters Church. chairman: DR.. James f.
DriscoI. S. S. rector Of ST. Joseph's Seminary:
the Rev. Anthony Lammel. rector OF St Jo-
seph's Church; the Rev. John A. Kellner. rector
of ST. GabriePs Church. New-ROchelle: Joseph
Bruneau. professor OF dogmatic theology. ST.
Joseph's Seminary; Father John J. Hughes
Church of ST. Paul the Apostle; Father John B.
Young. s. J.. Church Of ST. Francis Xavier;
James Ungerer organist of ST. Patrick's Cathe-
dral: Edmund G. Hurley, organist Of the Church
of ST. Paul the Apostle: Bernard E. Johnston,
organist of the Church of the Immaculate Con-
ception. Yonkers. and the Rev, John J, Kean,
rector of the Church of the Holy Name. secre-
tary.
Archbishop Farley. in making this report the
law to be followed. adds:
To some persons few of its provisions may ap-
pear difficult of observance; tf temporary exemp-
lion in particular cases be required. the reasons
presented will receive my careful considera ton,
and a special dispensation. where deemed neces-
sary will be granted until such time these
regulations can be complied with
The commission already appointed will consti-
tute the committee who are to prepare cata-
loeue OF compositions for voice and organ in
cordance with the Holy Fathers Instructions; and
pastors will send within a month a list of music
al present In use in their respective churches to
the secretary OF the commission. the Rev John j.
Kean No -07 West Undergraduates.