The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-01-04
THE REVIVAL OF vESPERs
What is Being Done In TWO City
Parishes-A Suggestion for the
Training of Boy Choirs.
written for The Catholic Bulletin by
VIM. r. Markoe.)

Crowley, the pastor. That no pains
had been spared in the cultivation of
the boys voices was plainly evident.
They had that clear, silvery quality
for which the boy choirs of England
are so noted, singing the highest
notes without the slightest apparent
effort, and with that perfectly natural
air, which, paradoxical as it may
sound, is usually only obtained by
long and careful scientific training
The quality of the voices was revela-
ton to those who have never had an
opportunity of hearing properly train
ed boy choirs, once so common in
the Catholic Church. That the re-
vival of the old custom was highly
appreciated by the congregation was
evident from the large number pres
ent. The only suggestion the writer
will venture in this laudable effort
to revive the true method of singing
Vespers is that the labor would be
much lightened and accuracy in chant
ing greatly facilitated by the use of
the official Vesperal as arranged either
by Father J. B. Young, S. j., or the
Rev. F. x. Haberl, in both of which
not only the correct Gregorian tones
are given, but each verse! of the psalm
is written out in full under the proper
tone and ending, thus making mis-
takes in pointing almost impossible.
Another boy choir of f1fty-two voices
trained by Father F. x. Bajec, of
St. Francis Church, distinguished
itself by the revival of another good
old Catholic custom, namely the
singing of the "Adeste Fideles" and
other Christmas carols on the Satur-
day before Christmas at Donaldson's
Glass Block in Minneapolis to the de-
light of immense crowds from 8 to IL
a. m.
In both these cases, however, the
pastors themselves are doing the work
of choirmasters in addition to all
their other priestly functions, which
is about as unreasonable Though not
so undignified) as to expect them to
do the work of janitor in addition to
all their other arduous duties. No
doubt the difficulty is to find choir
masters competent to do this peculiar
work, so long neglected that it has
become almost an unknown quantity
in the United States. Thus the
scarcity of competent choirmasters,
together with the expense involved
compels pastors to do the work them
selves if they would carry out the in
structions of our Holy Father in the
matter
A Suggestion.
Could not this unfortunate state OF
affairs be remedied by employing a
single choirmaster with the necessary
knowledge, experience and zeal to
supervise the training of choirs and
school children just as Miss Shave, a
Catholic, supervises the musical in.
struction given in the public schools
The beautiful singing of 100 boy so.
pranos at a symphony orchestra con
cert recently proves how thoroughly
the work may be accomplished in this
manner
If dozen city parishes would club
together and contribute ten dollars
each per month for one year, to make
it an object for really competent
choirmaster to devote the necessary
time to the work, the reforms in
church music ordered ten years ago
by Plus x, including the training OF
vested choirs and the introduction OF
congregational singing, could be &C
complished IN single year. Such a
plan would make the revival of Yes.
pers and congregational singing com
paratively easy and inexpensive. Next
to the Mass itself Vespers is the
most beautiful and attractive liturgical
service in the Catholic Church. I'm
like the Mass, however, which is a
Sacrifice in which the priest is the
celebrant and the congregation mere
/ ly attend" or assist" or hear
Mass, Vespers is essentially choral
service in which the congregation
forms the chorus. The Gregorian
tones of the Vesper psalm are sim
plicity itself in order that every man
woman and child may be able to take
part, thus giving them the tremendous
effort of power and volume character
istic of this music of the multitude
Congregational Vespers.
What more stupid and uninterest
ing for whole congregation than to
sit idly by listening to one or two
lone voices-male or female-monop
olizing all the chanting intended orig
inally by the Church for the entire
congregation! 1t is like inviting them
to banquet where there is nothing
for them to eat, and expecting then
to content themselves with watching
the host devour all the good things
originally intended for them! What
wonder that the rising generation OBJ
ject to attend" Vespers where they
are deprived of the right to participate
in the singing! The fascination Of
Vespers is found in that union Of
effort akin to the marching of regi
ment of soldiers shoulder to shoulder
in perfect step, each one supporting
his neighbor in perfect unity of pur
pose, inspired by the sound of mar
tial music. Hence Vespers in it's tor
often emasculated form, with solos
and duets as the attraction will never
become popular as liturgical form
of worship. If the congregation wan