Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-30
SINGING MEN ABLE TO CONQUER
IN GREAT FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY
BY BROOKS SHACKLEY

tate concentration by WhOle-SOuIeQ
endeavor and to let the singer really
prove that all troubles have been packed
up In the old kit bag.
Competitive singing plays part
during these sings. Having those on
one side OF the audience attempt to
surpass those on the other side never
fails to arouse interest and fine team
work. The boys like competition and
this spurs them on to enthusiastic
song. Inviting some one to sing the
verse Of a number and having all
come in on the chorus Is. great. fun
and permits the leader to- discover
solo talent. Es * x
On a movie night as much enjoy
ment is secured in singing while the
pictures are on an from the screen
itself. Night after night the boys will
keep pace with the piano player in
singing every number played. songs
between the reels are introduced by
means of song slides and the manner
in which they are sung serves as a
boys really like. Out on some OF the
old songs, my Old Kentucky Home,
"Suwanee River, ''Oid Folks at Home"
or "Old Black Joe," and what a VOL
ume! The rafters fairly ring.
Chance for New Song.
Then there is the outdoor mass
singing. This is always great sue
cess. There are times however, when
they like ito stay at home" and they
will sing for an entire evening in the
corner of a barrack room. grouped
around the hunks. Here Is q hne
chance for the leader to Introduce
new song. because Of the fact that he
has a. smaller group to work with
than usual New songs are success
fully introduced by having the sing
ers whistle tune until the melody Is
well fixed in their minds. Whistling
on the march IL likewise put into OPP
GRAFTON and. never fails to make
hit" 1t has been the. custom at the
Depot Brigade Y. M. c.. A. to intro
duce a new song each week.. Thus the
is constantly growing.
Marching songs. those to be used on
the hikes. are many times renearseu
during the barrack music period. An
method in this connection
is to have the boys stand while sing
ing and mark regular marching time.
This acuuaints them with the rhythm
Of the song and famiiiarizes them
with the correct accent.
Little time has been lost among
me bova of the 18th Depot Brigade.
in learning the national anthems OF
america. England and France, EnDrt
has been made to get the men 70 sing
these anthems correctly. giving each
note its proper stress and time. with
clear enunciation Of every word. The
numbers have been taken up with un-
usual interest and the result has been
gratifying. OF especial
interest IL the manner In which toe
singers have caught the spirit OF
s.Maraeillaise." ITO Arms, to Arms'
never fails its purpose.
Gather Around Piano.
A word about the part hymn sing
ing 10 playing in making the Ameri-
can Army IL a SINGING army. How the
boys like to sing the good old hymns!
How they like TO shout Number Thir-
teen," Lets Have Ten." when given an
to call for their favoritc
during o meeting. Frequently crowd
piano at the close Of Sunday night
service, singing hymns for nearly an
hour.
"AH Hail the Power" II Love - Tell
the Story" and True Hearted, Whole
Hearted" are called for I'm ~
regularity. And a Sunday rarely
called for. "Where Is My BOY Tonight?"
Cultivating the joy and pleasure in
singing among the soldiers Is bound
to result in a closer bond of brother
hood. American truths will be in
stil1ed into their hearts. And of this
be sure, as one song leader has put 1t,
1.-The men will not leave their music
behind them in the camps" Mass
singing will weld many into a unit,
the better to face danger Let us en-
courage army singing with all our
hearts, knowing that 1t is great
factor in keeping our boys contented
and cheerful.