Evening star., 1912-09-08
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The annual upheaval in the choirs
which usually occur at the close of the
musical season in the spring seems to
have reached It's elimination this year
at the opening of the fall services in
the churches. and the choir that has
its organist, director and personnel COM
plete and permanent for this coming
season is one of very few. Besides the
several announcements of designations
and appointments being given out from
day to day. rumor is busy with many
more.
William Wall whiddit. organist and
choir director of the First Congregations
al Church. has resigned his position and
gone to New York city. like so Olany
OF the Washington musicians of recent
years who have found it advisable to
seek the wider and more lucrative field
offered by the metropolis. Mr.. Whiddit
came to Washington from Norfolk.
where he had been in charge of the
music at one of the prominent churches,
and during his three years in Washing
ton has made many friends among
the musical fraternity. During his
regime at the Congregational Church
the choir has increased in efficiency, and
has given each winter series of con-
certs and presented several cantatas in
most creditable manner.
Among the cantatas given under his di-
dection was The Word of God" by
Spross. Mr.. Whiddt was also the tenor
sooist with the Washington Choral So
ciety when il sang the oratoro of Eli
jah' under the direction OF Heinrich
Hammer and he has sung. under special
engagements. several times at the after
noon services of the Church of the Cove
nant. Miss Julia Parks has been substi-
tuting at the organ of the First Congre-
gational Church during August. and Don
aid d. Mcleod formerly organist and
choir director of Christ Church, George
town. will play during September Mrs
Whiddit who is also musician of abil-
ity and has been presiding for the past
year at the organ of Ingram Memorial
CONGREGATIONAL Church, has. much to the
regret of the congregation, resigned also,
ia order 10 accompany her husband TO
New York. and Mrs. Hazel Wegner Reed
or. the soprano soiolst. is for the present
in charge of the music.
Ernest T. Winchester. organist and
director Of the sanctuary choir OF ST.
Paurs Catholic Church. has resigned his
position and gone 10 Philadelphia. where
he will be engaged in similar work. Mr..
Winchester has been actively identified in
choir work in this city for many years in
prominent churches, where he always
made the music an especially attractive
feature. During the incumhency of Bish-
op Satterlee OF Washington he was in
charge OF the music at st. Marks Epis-
copal Church, at that time the Pro-Ca-
fhetraI. Later ne directed very success
fully choir OF boys at St Paufs Episco-
pal Church. going from there TO St Paul $
Catholic Church. At the latter place he
succeeded Rev. Father Finn, the young
Paulist. who organized the choir and who
las been so extraordinarily successful in
this line of work that the choir singing
under his direction at the present time in
Chicago took the prize at the interna-
tional competition this spring in Paris
Mr.. Winchester also organized and
trained the male choir at St. Aloysius on
the dissolution OF the mixed choir sew
eral years ago. The choir over which
Mr.. Winchester has presided the last six
years has furnished the music at many
notable functions, and the work of the
organization has always been conspicuous
for its purity and beauty of tone, distinct
enunciaton and devotional interpreta.
ton.
Six of the Jeanette NJ Thurber scholar
ships for singing. piano and violin viii
be open for competition at the annua
entrance examination of the Nationa
Conservatory of Music OF America, 12t
West 18th street. New YORK city, this
fall. The scholarships will be giver
10 students who have no means. bui
whose talent promises distinction az
artists. The twenty eighth year be