The Wichita daily eagle., 1904-02-03
WOMEN MAY NOT SING IN CATHO
Lie CHURCH CHOIRS.

Pope Plus ks pronouncement on sa-
cred music and rules governing church
choirs has been received with much favor
in local Catholic musical circles, mas
much as many of the reforms agitated
by the Supreme Pontiff have already been
introduced in this diocese by Archbishop
W H Elder.
In his pronOuncement the Pope says
that it is his desire that all the Bishops
should institute in their dioceses a .spe-
ciai commission, composed Of pfsons
really competent in sacred music, and TO
this commission they find most suitable,
the task of watching over the music exc
cuted in their churches
This mandate of the Pope has been
seduIously followed in this doicese for the
last five years and Cincinnati. therefore,
enjoys the distinction of being the first
diocese in this country to forward this
new movement. which will, no doubt,
soon become universal.
While the Pontif's pronouncement on
all the reforms is in keeping with the
mandates of former Pontiffs, ard eX-
presses in kindly, but commanding, words
d return to the earlier style of church
compositions, it is generally believed that
there will be no sweeping changes made
in this country for the present, but that
a gradual reform will be agitated in the
differetn dioceses, under the direction Of
the ordinary.
Archbishops Elder and Moeller are
greatly interested in the reform of church
music and will. with the assistance cf
the diocesan Music Commission, do all
in their power to carry out the wishes
of the Supreme Pontiff Among some of
the most important features of the reform
agitated by the Pope are:
Solo singing, while not entirely exclud-
ed. should he so regulated that it does
not predominate in such way as to have
the greater part of the litursical chant
executed in that manner
Since the singers of the Catholic church
have a real hturgical Office to perform,
and as women are incapable Of exercising
such an office they can not form part of
thee hoir or Of the musical chapel. u hem
ever it is desired to employ the acute
voices Of sopranos and contraltos these
parts must be taken by the boys.
All singers Of the Catholic church must
life. who should. by their modest and
devout bearing during the liturgical func-
tions, show that they are worthy Of the
holy office they exercise.
1t Will also be fitting that all singers,
while singing in church, wear the ecclesi-
astical habit and surplice and that they
be hidden behind gratings when the choir
is excessively open TO the public gaze.
No piano will in future be tolerated in
the churches and on noisy of frivolous
instruments, such as drums, cymbals
bells and the like, are allowed to be used.
No bandsw i'll be permitted to play in
the churches. and only in special case
and with the consent of the Bishop will
it be permissible TO admit a lumber of
wind Instruments In church professions
outside of the church the Bishop may
give permission for a band. but no pro-
fame pieces are allowed 10 be performed.
The organists are not allowed to keep
the priest at the altar waiting on ac-
count of the length of musical compo-
sitions. but thep riest is likewise request
ed to regard the singers at the sanctus of
mass. which must he over before he
reaches the elevation
No other songs than o. the Latin text
are permitted in the vernacular in sol
emn liturgical functions.
Modern compositions are also admit
ted I'm the service of the church. but care
must he taken with regard to them. in
order that them usical compositions of
modern style may contain nothing pro-
fame of theatrical