Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-01-26

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family. 1t can also resemble DON
neybrook Fair or the Battle of the
Boyne. 1t can make two troubles
grow where only one grew before:
and it can make several troubles
where there were none before. A
choir of this kind has not much mu-
steal value, because it lacks real
unity or oneness of spirit, and 1t is
a lucky organization indeed IL, on
Sundays it is able to pass the CEN
sorship of the congregation. The
members of such choir are so
charged with feeling for each other
that they haven't any left for the
music Why is this, and how can it
be overcome? ....
Various persons some competent
and some not, have given various an
swers and solutions to the ever
present problem. One solution is to
have just one soloist, who shall also
lead the hymn singing. In the first
place, no matter how good the singer,
1t would become monotonous Sunday
after Sunday. Then again, one voice
is an utter failure trying to lead a
decent-sized congregation. Also, this
arrangement would close the path of
development to any of the musical
young people of the congregation.
Another solution is to engage a
mixed quartet of solo voices. This
still bars the young people from ac-
tive participation and development
musically. Neither is a quartet al
ways really effective in leading the
congregational singing. And It is
ways rcslly effective n leading the
solo voices can be found that blend
artistically and effectively. Also, a
fak t. kaI L.. 8
good taste is used, can only render
with success the smaller forms of
church music, and must leave out
music that calls for broad, big eff
fects, demanding majesty and power.
Also many solo singers are not good
ensemble singers, because they can
not adapt their tonal quality, or will
not sacrifice their solo quality to bet
ter the blending of the whole.
Volunteering ChOruses
Another solution is the strictly
volunteer chorus. This gives "a
chance to all the young people, but
the trouble is. everybody is a solo
einge" and soon let's. the director
know it. lie soon finds himself with
so much wonderful material that he
first imagines. he is leading a celes-
tial chorus. When his illusion has
passed away he goes home and ties
wet towel about his whirring head
and takes off collar that has sud
denly become too tight. He realizes
that his musical education has just
begun, and the beginning Jared him.
Another solution, and the best, is
tho combination OF solo quartet and
volunteer chorus.
There is no misunder standing about
the solo work. The young people get
their opportunity unsteady. There is
scarcely any limit to the class OF
music that can be rehearsed ana rem
dered effectively. The members of
the quartet act as leaders of each
section of the chorus, thus giving the
others instruction and confidence. The
quartet singers should also inspire
musically as we'll as serving as mod
els of religious department. To-day
then, this combination is considered
the most satisfactory by far for the
church service; and It can be devel-
oped to a high state of efficiency and
become a vital and desirable factor
in any religious service.
A combination of this kind can
carry the hymns along with power
and ferver that compels ready and
sincere response from the congrega-
ton.
Wn0I aDOuL ING u1iItfCHl
that assemble every Sunday? Do
thew know good chorus singing, or
do they only know when attacks
are good or tad? Do they appreciate
the lob of the musical pilot? The
minister has had a college education
and special training for his. work.
Well, they argue. hasn't the musical
director had special training, too?
Now, they think they've got you!
Yes the director has had special
training, or should have had (some
have not), but the young folks he is
trying to direct have not. They are
not trained musicians. They are Oft
times raw recruits: at best they are
volunteers, and the choir loft is their
college of choir training. To make
those younk folks phrase well sing
forward tone, sing with precision,
rhythm, accent unance and d! mamie,
with controlled tone. good articula-
ton, fervor and sincerity, is a mans
job.
II he is a wise leader he will de-
velop the minds of his musical fam
lily with brief. helpful talks on the
musical problems that arise. There
should be a unified idea of express
ing q word or phrase. All the sing
ers cannot get the idea unless the
director explains the idea 1t 10 not
enough to say sing soft or sing loud.
The chorus should know why they do
this. It will help their tone quality
and create the right tonai atmos-
phere-
Ideas In Music
Ideas exist in music as we'll as in
preaching. The right director will
J recognize the moral and, spiritual
value in teaching the younger folks
who come under his tute1age. The
| right director will be sincere palms
taking. patient and sympathetic. The
right director will love the work OF
teaching in this way; the other kind
of director has no business in the