The Washington herald., 1908-02-16
WANTS MALE CHOIRS
Local 0rganist Finds Fault
with Church Music.
GIVES REASONS FOR CRITICISMS
Henry Ii. Freeman. Episcopal Choir
master, Rea|l Paper Before Dis
trict acknowledgements Custom of
Putting NesGmc-ts on Y omen.
Much Music is Poorly Selected.

The following is the text of a paper on
local choir conditions and church song
read by Henry II. Freeman, master Of
the choristers and organist of old ST.
Johns Episcopal Church, Lafayette
square, in Epiphany Church parish hall,
before the members of the Organists and
Cnoirmasters' League Of the District OF
Columbia. The meeting was held Tues
day evening. February 4.
The purpose Of this paper is 20 stimu-
late and awaken some interest in the
common cause which brings US all here
tonight; TO point out some practices ex-
isting to-day in local Episcopal ehoirs
which should be condemed by every mem
her of this league, and to say a few
words respecting church song, and the
school of music cholrmasters should be
looked to for churchly and appropriate
selections.
We are afflicted with more than our
share Of certain abuses resorted TO by
local choirmasteTs, and I propose 10 con-
denim these abuses in no uncertain terms.
Much has been written on the subject
OF What is good church music?' Under
this heading few words viii suffice to
guide those who are in doubt as to the
best field TO confne themselves to for
dignified and churchly compositions.
II is recognized by the best authorities
that the American Episcopal Church gets
her best compositions to-day from the
rich field of the Anglican school OF
music This has always been so. and viii
be until the American school of church
composition ASSUMES and embodies those
principles which go 10 make UP correct
form in ecclesiastical music; ana TO eX-
clude that style of composition SO sug-
gestiVe OF worldly scenes. the opera and
concert room.
Others Contribute Much.
Right here let me add. however. that
such men as DR.. Hodges, Parker Han.
Hadley. and a few others. have con
ubuted much To a higher order Of church
song in this country, and / am sure you
viii agree that the sacred compositions
loo these men are thoroughly in accord
with sound traditions.
English church music Is best for many
reasons; II is churchly, beautiful. artistic,
and in every way fitted for devotional
use, and invariably you will find the text
taken from the Bible, prayer book, or
hymnal
So, with correct school Of church
music 10 select from. why is il that most
any Sunday you can go into some Of our
local Episcopal churches and hear sacred
words sung 90 secular strains and the
al. b rs.s .. H.
Of music which has survived from a gem
GRAFTON when the old gallery quartette
choir and sentimental-s0ng style of COM
position were the Acknowledged standards
in most American churches
Once Twelve Vested Choirs.
Nine years ago Washington churches
boasted Of no less than twelve vested
choirs Of men and boys; to-day we have
four left-St Johns. ST. PauTs, St
James, and the Chapel Of the Good
Shepard-the others have given away en-
tirely TO women, and some retaining a
few boys for the sake oC appearances.
With the return OF this style OF choir
the light, horld and ear~tickllng COM
positions viii be revived and brought
forward again.
well-known local Episcopal church. FOR
merly supporting a choir OF men and
boys, but now choir Of the vested
women type a setting of the TIE Deum
was sung. aCapted entirely 10 popular
airs from the different Wagnerian operas.
Again, I have heard sung as an offertory
the words Of Abide With Me" adapted
10 de koven's song. "Oh, Promise Me
While dealing with the subject Of &C.
clesiastical music. I wish TO mention an
other practice which should be dlsCour-
aged. and that is the attempt of over
jealous choirmasters to produce HandePs
Messiah" and other great OratOrios with
childTen's voices. Handel, nor even Men
delssohn, never intended that their great
works should be rendered by boys voices.
ChOirmasters' Judgment Poor.
Now. ! say that choirmasters who dis
play such poor judgment, and resort TO
such practices, are not fitted to their
positions.
I am told that this class Of musicians
here in Washington. are referred to as
"sundown Organists." an expression ap-
piled to those engaged in training choirs
and playing the organ merely as a side
issue in conjunction with their regular
calling
To sum up then. I am of the opinion
that some of these local practices and
abuses referred 10 could be abolished or
immeasurably improved if rectors and
music committees would discontinue the
practice of employing separate parties
for the post of organist and choirmaster.
Unite the two offices and combine the
two salaries as a means 20 tempt good
church musicians 10 come among us.
The office Of chOiTmaster has, since the
reformation, generally united with that of
the organist, especially In the English
cathedrals. and long experiences has
shown that the best results are obtained
only when this plan is followed
With the opening in the very near
future of the new cathedral choir school
for boys, let Us hope it Will awaken some
renewed interest and bring about a better
state Of affairs than what we have to-day