Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-22

ing, but 1T is the least supported.
A great deal of music is thrust upon
the people in the smaller cities, A
manager comes along. He has a
wonderful ortist He arouses cur
loslty. He gets the local committee
an net up" The artist is booked.
The event is looked forward to with
almost as much awe as the millen-
mum itself. Many tickets are sold;
Just about enough to cover expenses.
me artist comes and goes.
AFTER the smoke of the train has
died away the raving dies with 1t,
ana the audience individually, and
collectively is back to earth not
much wiser musically. There may
pc few souls who get some inspir-
atlon from such an event; but, great
er inspiration and musical growth
would come. IL the money and effort
were expended in supporting a choral
or oratorio society. Outside artists.
for the solos could be obtained If
necessary, at first, but the best of
the local talent should be chosen
Tor this work. There is no use in
deceiving ourselves with the belief
that people, and especially young
people, Will voluntarily take up good
reading; literature that would really
benefit them, poetry and even the
scriptures. But if this class of lit
erature can be woven into music
the door to delightful and inviting
study is opened; and herein lies the
charm. and power, and good infiu-
ence of choral singing. But how
many choral societies go to pieces
for want of support? What is the
trouble? 80.
Singing is healthy exercise for
body and mind. 1t teaches concen-
tration. calculation and observation.
1t disciplines the mind, it quickens
and develops the mind, it encour-
ages memorizing. 1t warns and
nourishes the heart, and enriches
the soul. Singing, rightly done, de-
Velops and strengthens the body, and
beauties speech.
II would not seem like Christmas
without The Messiah" This sub
lime oratorio should be heard at
Christmastide every year, in every
city. The choruses should become
| as familiar as Rock of Ages" or
abide with Me-" Pilgrims should
be seen vending their way, in rev
erent mood, yearly to hear the old,
old story, glorined by HandePs
inspired music. Then there is the
story of st. Paul, beautified by Men
delssohn's music. and also the dram
atic Elijah" and the noble Gre
ation," by Haydn. Many others,
some notably good, are we'll worth
study and performance.
We are insistent upon our young
folks studying mathematics, lam
guages, (some dead), history,
grammar, etc, etc, but we are not
nearly so anxious about this finer
thing that develops self-expressions
and refinement-that feeds not only
the mind but the heart as well-that
makes for culture and the better
things of life. God has given man
kind both voice and mind, it is man
kinds duty to develop both, so that
life may be beautif1ed and enriched
by thought, speech and song, The
world is occupied in many things
that are not worth while; music is
worth while, and the oratorio and
like music has a legitimate right in
our lives. We are slowly shutting
1t out; and replacing it by less SER
ious and shorter works, largely in
spired, and very rarely worth giving
second hearing. .,
The singing of oratorios should be
encouraged. There is nothing like
1t to develop fiexibility and evenness
OF voice, as we'll as the musical per
ception and imagination. 1t de-
mands purity of tone, a we'll inform
ed mind, and a spiritual Ioftiness of
Character to successfully interpret
1T. Surely then, it is good for us.