The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-02-08
Communication

Editor Republican: I am
somewhat interested in the awakening
agitation and possibilities Of a Salt Lake
chorus becoming a contestant at the
Welsh national eisteddfOd to be held at
Carmarthen, Wales, in 1911. Choral So
cieties gather from Wales and several
parts Of England to compete in this
great contest,
The members OF these societies are
born and Graded in the eisteddfCd. Chill
dren are sight readers at a very early
age, and are continually in training to
become contestants at these eisteddfods.
The best of the Welsh choirs almost
reach the highest point Of excellence.
They are continually in the game and
are acquainted with all the little points
they missed in former contests. They
are acquainted with ancient and modern
music, and are able to sing entire works
Of the great masters from memory.
DR.. Elgar and DR.. Cowen are great ad-
mirers of Welsh choral singing.
DR.. COwen at an eisteddfod in Wales
asked for volunteers to join his chorus
for his intended concert tour of the
United States. Hundreds of hands were
raised willingly, and each felt cOmpe-
tent TO stand the test for membership
in a society under the dictatorship Of
England's eminent conductor. Why did
he ask for volunteers? Because the
soul of their singing was photographed
on every face that participated in the
contest Here is the secret of Welsh
choral singing. The soul is there, they
sing intelligently and enter into the
spirit of the composition.
The musical fraternity Of our CITY
must know that q contest of this stand
ard is no kindergarten or ward choir
musicale. Our ideals Of the sublime art
must be tuned to the highest possible
attainments. Our friends in Scranton
propose sending two choirs. The organi-
cation under the leadership Of Professor
John Watkins captured the first prize
at the Brooklyn, n. Y, eisteddfod. This
choir is a first-class organization, the
best that Scranton has produced. The
opinions Of their local musicians lately
returned from Wales, say that their
chOiTs will prove a worthy foe in the
contest against the best Welsh societies.
The tabernacle choir that competed
in Chicago's eisteddfod were a fine BODY
Of singers. They sang smoother and
with more finish but lacked the conf
dence and spirit Of the winning chorus.
Our tabernacle choir of today cannot
compare to the choir that captured sec
ond prize at Chicago, neither was the
Seattle chorus its equal The tabernacle
choir is not a choral society. Thew
must devote the greatest part Of the
time to Tehearsing their church music.
and would not have time to take I'D
competition work. What ought to be
done to make this movement a success.
IS to select the best musicians we have
Professor Evan Stephens, Professor
Anton Peterson, Professor ]. J. McCleI-
Ian and Professor Peabody and Others
should get together and organize a mu-
steal board and pick the best singers
we have in our various singing Organi-
cations.
The tabernacle choir would SUNNY
them with good material. Then each
applicant desiring to be admitted should
mass rigid test. genuine professional
test. The board should find out what
each voice amounts to. IF the voices do
not reach the standard. let them keen
on testing until they know they have
80 or 200 Of the best voices that Utah
can produce, then organize as soon as
possible.
Let them select conductors for each
mart, study voice training, Dhrasing.
breathing, and some time i'm the future
let them give a Grand recital. invite
orr prominent citizens. those peopIe
who are interested I'm the building un
IF our city and state. show them that
this new organization is worthy Of their
sUpport and confidence. Then the nub-
'io win cheerfuly give their support to
sond this chorus r. cOn1nete against the
hest rhOruses in Furoue. and Salt lake
would be advertised ovA~ the entire
world. A WELSHMAN.