The Washington herald., 1908-01-19

Much surprise was manifested IN mu-
steal circles the past week. when Il was
definitely announced by the pastor Of ST.
Aloysius' Catholic Church that the pres-
ent choir. which has been a noted one
for many years under It's present director.
Mr. stephen J. KUbel. would be perma-
nently disbanded the sunday before Eas-
ter. and In its place a sanctuary choir Of
fifty men and boys, in charge Of Mr..
Ernest T. Winchester, would be installed
Father HlmmeI is an earnest advocate
Of the male choir movement, and has
announced he will spare neither trouble
nor expense 20 fulfill to the letter the
motu proprio issued over four years ago
by the Vatican. which. in these exact
words. command certain reforms.
Points Out Principles.
In order that no one for the future
may be able TO plead in excuse that he
did not clearly understand his duty. and
that all Vagueuess may be eliminated
from the Interpretation of matters which
have already been commanded, we have
deemed it expedient to point out briefly
the principles regulating sacred music in
the functions OF public worship
Singers in the church have a real
Hturgical office and, therefore. women.
as being incapable Of exercising such
office, cannot be admitted to form a part
Of the choir, or Of the musical chapel
Whenever, then. it is desired 10 employ
the voices Of soprano or contralto, these
parts must be taken by boys, according
20 the most ancient usages OF the Church.
Favor with all zeal these prudent re-
forms, long desired and demanded with
united voice by ali. so that the authority
of the Church, which herself has re-
peatedly proposed them. and now incul-
Gates them, may not fall into contempt"
These sentences, which are translated
from the Italian literally, would seem to
demand immediate action by the clergy
throughout the land, but, strange to say.
fully two-thirds OF the churches have not
yet attempted the organization of boy
chOiTs. There are only three parishes
in this city which employ chOirs of men
and boys for regular Sunday services,
and only one. ST. PauTs. which has a
sanctuary surpliced choir. Father Mackin
organized this one amid great discourage
ments and serious drawbacks. but IL now
ranks as one of the best organized and
conducted choral organizations in the
country. The other churches having boy
choirs are Holy Trinity, Georgetown, and
Immaculate Conception. each of which
has its choir stationed in the gallery.
Influential Jesuit Church.
Now the most influential Of the Jesuit
churches, St Aloysius, and the largest
parish IN the District. comes out with a
determination to organize and maintain a
sanctuary choir, and this determination
is backed by the entire staff uf ciergy
The choir will be known as the chorister
branch. Two sets of chOTisteTS VIII be or
ganized, so that eFch boy viii nave sub
stitute ready TO take his place in case Of
emergency. Both ChoiTs will have four re-
hearsals each week, and be trained along
the same lines. Father Himmel has en-
gagged Mr. Ernest T. Winchester, organ
ist and choirmaster Of St Pauls Sanctu-
airy Choir, to organize, train, and develop
the new organization, and his t.te at St.
Aloysius' becomes Master of the Sing
ers."
It is expected to have the formal in
stallatiOn in June, in the presence of his
eminence, the cardinal, but the choir will
begin actual sanctuary work Easter Sun
day at high mass, at which time his ex-
cellency, the apostolic delegate, viii be
present in the chancel, to show his ap-
proval ant. commentator Of the efforts
put forth.