The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1917-08-17
Methods
For Improving the Mus
ic by the Cboirs and
Congregations.

7 thisk the committee made "A mistake
when they put me on this program.
belieye their aim ws- To- get the orgsnist
of the different churches. am not or
ganist OF the Raleigh street NJ. r.
Church at present. Nevertheless, have
had a little experience m choir work.
believe there are various means 10y
which our choir- can he improved. We
all know that practice makes perfect, or
H. supposed to do So Eut u IL AZ
cOrling how yon practice Mess Ne
prstice m conscientious and under
standing manner, our practice is futile
and "A failure. Our choirs meet some
times and they will 90 over half dozen
piece- m a care free. slIp--hcd, come
easy, go-ea-y way. and they know no
more. perhaps lees than they did At the
beginning. That IL not practice IL -
simply going through the motion AMI
killing time.
| In order To- sing a song perfectly aud
convey tn the hearers the meaning or
/ al ought and sentiment Of the author or
composer Of the words and music. We
should study the piece carefully. read
the words over and get an lsiea of what
the writer intended To convey. You can
not le a succes-iul reader or story teller
unless you know the subject or story
we'll. You must he thoroughly acquaint-
ell with your subject before You can talk
on u or attempt To explain II. Singing
H. Just talking or telling a story in a
musical manner or in manner -et To
music
We have all. no Doubt. on some occa-
SION listened to some one attempt To read
a piece or selection AMI they would de-
Il IN such dull, li-tle--. monotonou-
way that II hal the effect Of putting one
to sleep. The same way with singing.
When W. sing the grand old hymn, go
tor heart To praise my God, We ex-
press great wish. a desire. a longing
for that heart or disposition. When ~
long for something, We do not wish for
u lightly, W. crave, W. desire Il with our
whole heart. ID W. ito not sIng that
song m the same manner, our singing D.
a mOckery. and those Who listen To ~
get no inspiration whatever and We arr
a hIndrance instead OF a hely To- tile s-r
vicr-.
Another thing, We shouI not only ann
To sing a sony the way tine writer intend
FL IT, but the way the musical composer
intended II To he rendered. We can not
aid or take away anything. We should.
A. Ne often say IN our practice, sing ~
tine way 10 - written. In order tn de
that We must inst take note of the tins
OF rhythm. whether It be -. "a, 81
-, or whatever Il may ~, take note oi
the kew or pitch 80 a. not To pitch Il to-
nigh OF too low take note where IL say
swell out OF diminish your tones. notice
your TESTS and DO not hold too long ~
the end OF the bar. SOMETIMES " holu
80 long that W. can not begin the next
verse or -tanza on time and a break ~
the music IL the result. Ia H. wilh ths
greatest difficulty that We can get our
choir members To observe the rest. ThOS.
rest signs were put there for a purpose.
for an effect. Don't hold the tone.
when the music says rest. Tney arr
very essential IN bringing out the mean
Ing of a sony
Enumeration y another great .e--entisl
in singing. SPEAK Iust A. plainly a. ~
- possible in ssngingi There - ON
thing that J -hould like To speak OF H.
lore close. and THAT -. when the con
gregation drag- the singing. the pastor
could correct that ] believe with a lIttl,
tact. We all like to hear the whole con
gregatIon sing the opening hymn. any
- quite a laboriou- Task getting through
II the pastor would kindly ask all l.
stop and begin again on time. ! think
49, wOul soon learn 70 keep ~itlou
dulling back 80.
Above all thing. our ciioir- should -
composed Of Christian men and women
boys and girl-. How can We afford &
adNi-e. admoni-h or cxhort others To- a,
rigit even ~ song. when we are not liv
INK the life ourselves. We -oiuetime,
have 10 take the sinner into the choir 10.
order ~ vt good voices. but they -i,oula
nos continue sinners They should max,
themselves worthy II their POSITION.
t'oOd soices fanhfulns~s m practice.
strict attentF o. tie lrtle details 81
music. COOL hri-tisn character. sing
INK with the .pirt and understanding
and ~ will have iioir- that will convert
sinners. save ~ - quickly a. the
greatest evsng' 1T that ever lived