Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1911-04-13

| ideas OF our grand. ~
mothers time. that they would have *
church services without music. On II
the contrary they recognize that II
music Is an important. not to say
essential feature of devotional ex.
ercises. What they complain about
though, is the seeming disposition
in some churches. particularly the
fashionable ones, to have the must
cal numbers completely overshadow
the sermon and the prayers and
everything else.
But for all that there exists this
wide difference Of opinion as to the
part music should play in church
services there is one occasion dur.
Ing the year when practically all
churchgoers are agreed that II is
hitting and appropriate that melody
should dominate the whole interval
OF worship. This exceptional occa.
slon Is, or course, Easter. As the
anniversary OF glad tidings-the
most Joyous holiday In the whole -
church calendar-it is but natural
that the keynote Of every observ-
ance should be one OF rejoicing and praise
song. Consequently the pastors and musical
rectors and choir masters Of all churches I'M n,
down the land devote more attention to the
Easter musical programs than to those Of a,
other Sunday in the lfty-two, and, with all d
respect, 1t is the musical programs rather tn,
the pastors tests which are objects Of the kee
est interest when the churches announce the
Easter programs.
Church music. which finds its best exempllfc
ton on Easter morning. has undergone mark,
development during the past dozen years. It
well within the memory of the present gener
ton when almost the only music In our church
was congregational singing. This chorus singh
BY the assembled worshipers is still in vogue
many Of the smaller churches, particularly tho
In small towns and rural districts, and Just he
be 1t confessed that there are a good many ne
pie who to this day declare that 1t is more dev
tional and inspiring than the solos Of the hig
est salaried singers. But, be that as II may, Il
soloists have supplanted the congregation
singers in practically every city church and
many Of those in the smaller towns
The FIRST entry Of the soloists into this fie
came when one, two, or q quartette Of singers
each congregation who possessed the best voic,
were induced to specialize to the extent Of Or
pairing one anthem for rendition each Sunda
as we'll as in effect leading the congregation
singing Or in some churches where the CO
gregatlon was not strong vocally or the membe
were diftident about engaging In the chorus sin
ing, there was organized a choir Of anywhel
from eight to sixteen members that bore II
whole burden Of the musical responsibility ju
a. do the vested choirs in many Of the Epi
copal churches. Under this plan the SINCE
have almost invariably been members Of Il
church where they sing and as a rule they hav
given their services free or have received vel
modest sums for their services.
While the above mentioned plan or one
which choir and congregational singing is cor
bined IL still in vogue in thousands Of churchS
all over the country q further step in muslcl
development has been taken by most Of II
prominent and wealthy city churches. In theI
places Of worship one may hear on Easter NOR
ing music Of as fine q quality az can be listene
to In any grand opera house. The secret lies
the fact that in these fashionable churches Ii
music is provided by highsalaried musicians VIII
are engaged solely for their musical ability an
without reference to anything else. Indeel
since good voices have come to be demande
above all else We ind that not once in a doze
cases Is a highly-paId choir singer a member
the church In which she sings. Mayhap she
not q member Of any church. There are ais
WeIl-known instances IN which Catholic singer
appear regularly in Protestant churches and vic
versa.
Similarly the pipe orgAnist Of the twentiet
century fashionable city church IL chosen solel
because Of his musical ability and not because b
& feIloW.churchman. which be probably Is mo-
Even more odd In the eyes Of some folk with OLD
time ideas a the system Of recruiting the orchel
tras Of the leading churches. But. perhaps, Z
pause for q moment, the reader had not realize
that an orchestra Il nov considered essential 4
every fashionable church. Such Il ne case, hoV
1Vof ana n q maiority of cases he mualcfan