The Washington times., 1913-10-27
HARD WORK SECRET
. OF CHORUS SUCCESS
Director Of Motet Society Tells
of Experiences in Training
Many Voices.

Interesting sideliGhts upon the incnr-
pcration and pecularities of choral
work in general are clearly drawn from
| the experiences of Otto Z. Simon, direC-
tor of the Motet Choral Society Of this
city, whose four years work with that
orgaTiza ton has proved him to be an
authority on the subject
The hest proof as to the excellence of
any musical societi lies in its mere eN-
iStence, for no organization lasts with
out real merit as bass for its Cper-
atiors. During the four years in which
Mr.. Simon directed his choral society Cf
10U voices by astute mana cement and
a tactful manipulation of the singer )
who came to him, his society has in.-
proved, by leaps and bounds, until 1t
has become a recognized musical center.
Although all Of the singers volunteer
their services, and the officers receivc ;
no remuneration, a season has never
passed during which the Christmas and
Easter, and other holiday musical pre-
grams were not carried out with sue
cess. Mr.. Simon. in recent interview.
explained that the instruction of a large
number of people in choral work re-
quires an untiring attention on the part
of the instructor as regards new the
ores, late methods ana music itself
Just as the fashions Of dress and style
of manner change. so do the fashions in
music undergo perceptible transforma-
tons.
Old Style Bombastic.
Long ago. aid Mr.. Simon. the
bomhastic style of oratory and singing
was prevalent No matter at what cost
to the voice of the singer and the in
tention of the musician. songs and
choruses were shouted out as loud as
Iosshle-repression and shading were
suhordinated in the presentation Of
chora! art to mere loudness of tone
But that period has fortunately given
way to the present, more artistic man.
uer of singing and even of speaking"
In a recent booklet published by Mr..
Simon, this school of repression has
been explained fully. He says:
In choral singing this quality of repres-
sive tone. through the medium OF cor,
rectly applied technique. has unusual
interpretative qualities. The school of
repressive tone exists in contradistinc-
ton 20 the broad school OF polyphonic
rert. BY the former method, qualities OF
dominance and power are subordinated
to unusual reserve and suggestion, re-
sulting in an Instrument responsive to
the finer ard more subtle moods: SUCH
results, however. are not 20 be obtained
by the director of merely exceptional
lnuSlcal hnO"ituSt bitlS' loi w
these should be added the necessary
skill of the master of singing. .-,
In the past. and even in some in
stances at the present time the import
ance of such knowledge. an essential
factor of successful and impressive
choral rendition, has not been sufficient
ly realized Or. emphasized Without 1t
the finest graduations of the esthetlc
quality and tonai color become impos-
sible.''
Technique of Society.
The technique of the Motet Choral
Society differs from the usual choral
technique in special acceptance and cui
tivation Of the repressive tone as me-
dunn of expression. In doing so. how
ever. the broader quality OF sorority
and power is not entirely excluded. The
school of massive effects is frequently
used in conjunction with those works
which especially require it.
This expression of profundity through