Evening star., 1909-05-30
Profession of Chorister.

Nearly all of the choir boys In England
are educated In schools which are of two
classes: First. those that are endowed
for that special purpose. and are intended
for none but professional choir singers
and second, those which make speciality
of music but admit ordinary pupils for
tuition fees.
The latter afford a much better educa-
ton and training for ordinary life than
ordinary educational work is considered
of secondary Importance, for the grad
yates expect to- devote their entire lives
to church music. either as singers or as
teachers or in holy orders. When a boy
enters one of these choir schools it is as
sumed by his family and by his teachers
that he will follow the profession of a
chorister all his life. for that is a career
in England. A sense of obligation re-
qures him to do so. He receives his edu-
cation free with that understanding, and
IL his voice should fail he is expected to
take a course in a divinity school and be-
come a clergyman of the Church of Epg-
land. While there is no contract, the OBJ
legation is the same as that imposed upon
the graduates of the naval academy and
the military academy to serve in the navy
and the army of the government that has
educated them.
The best choir school is undoubtedly
that connected with st. PauFs Cathedral.
London, which is richly endowed and
provided with scholarships by the Wor-
shipful Goldsmith's Company, the Wor-
shipful Stationers Company and other
of the ancient guilds of the city of Lon
DON which are possessed of enormous
wealth, and contribute literally to st.
Pauls. The result is that higher edu-
cational standard is maintained there
than at any other of the choir schools in
England. Although Westminster Abbey
is the central church of England. and
the royal church has no school endow-
ments or scholarships. the choir is good,
but does not equal that of st. Pauis, by
any means.
More attention is given to vested choirs
in the diocese of New York than in any
other part of this country, and the best
boy choirs in America are found at Trim
ity. Grace. All Angels and Calvary
Episcopal churches. The Roman Catholic
Church Of ST. Agnes, which Is in charge
of the Paulist Fathers in New York, also
has a famous choir. The cathedral choir
at Garden City, Long Island; the Church
of the Advent at Boston, and Grace
Church. Chicago, have choirs with high
regulations
Finished a Year Ago.
The Lane-Johnston building in the
cathedral close at Washington was fin
ished more than a year ago. but has re-
manned unoccupied until now because of
the death of the late Bishop Satterlee,
who was giving his personal attention to
the organization. The multitudmous
other duties which suddenly devolved
upon his successor prevented him from
doing anything for the first few months
but Bishop Harding has recently taken
up the work; the building is now being
furnished at a cost of about $4,000 with
plain. simple, but comforta able homelike
furniture, and will be ready to admit
pupils in October. Educational work will
begin with the school year of 19n9-1O
The announcements will be made in an
official prospectus very shortly.
With the approval of the chapter.
Bishop Harding has called. as head master
or the Cathedral Choir School, F. l..
Gregg of Racine College Grammar
School Wisconsin. which is under the
care of the Episcopal Bishop of Mil
waukee. Mr.. Gregg is the of Il farm
err living near Dayton. Warren county.
Ohio: was prepared for college at Frank
lin High School nthat city. graduated at
the University of Michigan in the class OF
1900 accepted a position at Racine i'm
mediately after and has been there ever
since being promoted from time to time
until he became head master
Mr.. Gregg will be assisted by choir
master who will take charge of the
! musical department and give instruction
in both instrumental and vocal music
the organ. piano and probably the violin
and other stringed instruments.
There will be a faculty OF five special