The independent., 1907-02-07

end up. Even this arrangement did not
satisfy everyone, and a famous divine
wrote fulminade deploring that now
we have only catgut and resin re-
ligion.'
1t must not be thought however.
that the training Of choir singers was
neglected in colonial and post-revolu-
tionary times, though it is much bet
ter done nowadays than then. The sing
ing school held on a week day evening
played an important part. 1t prepared
young men and maidens for the choir.
and gave them fair general know
ledge of the elements of music Jona-
than Edwards declared that parents
ought to be careful that their children
are instructed in singing so that they
may be capable of performing their
part in the grand worship At the
school the young people learned to sing
in reasonable degree of accord with the
bass viol,' violin, flute and the sclarinet
just what should be allowed assplace
in the church program was sometimes
the subject of acrimonious discussion
Nor was the argument always con-
fined to the body of church mepaiecs
A crowded town meeting frequently
settled matters of musical import, Il
do not see why the devil should be al
lowed to have all the good tunes" was
pretty certain to be quoted with ap-
provai.
Training for the choir in the simple
old way by means of an evening sing
ing class is no longer practiced, except
in rural communities. The Weather
congregations in the cities have become
exacting in their requirements and only
professionally trained voices will suit
Good phrasing is becoming the rule
rather than the exception The great
vocal fault of most Americans, that in
distinctness of enunciation which has
led many a choir to pronounce inyoca-
tons to the God OF Bottles instead
of to the God of Battles,' is disap-
pearing.
Professional singing, in other words,
has taken the place of amateur sing
ing. Preparation for the choir or quar-
tet has become one of the special de-
partments of musical training at SO
representative a school as the New
England conservatory OF music. Spe-
cial provision has in fact to be made
for the large number of young men
and young women who do not expect
to become great opera singers or or
chestral players, but who purpose to
earn their livelihood in whole or in
part through singing in church. To
meet their needs a course as to be laid
out of kind which would have aston
ished the singing teacher or choir mas
ter of the old days There are the les
sons on voice placing under the old
Italian method which must be followed
by all who would sing in any capacity
Then there is special instruction In
choral work carried on in conjunction
with the department of organ playing
The theory of the thing is To make the
students perfect iii everything that
they are likely To have to do I'm church
service. and because practically all
the musical forms are covered In the
liturgy of the protestant Episcopal
church the students are required to
mako q careful study of its history and
evolution and correct performance.
II Ii also of great advantage ~ pro-
spective church singers 20 become thor
oughly familiar with the music of the
early Roman Catholic church. The
New England conservatory was the
FIRST In the United States 10 establish
courses in the history and theory of
plain sang"-in other words of the
Gregorian chants psalms cantlclea IN.
troita and all thut vast wealth ~
simple but beautiful music. upon which
the pope has recently laid emphasis
Rnd which Is also hclng delightfully."-
revived in the Anglican church of to-