Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-31
HENRY GORDON THUNDER
On the Value of Choral Singing

CHORAI. singing and the organizations
~ established and maintained for that
purpose have distinct cultural value to the
community in which they exist. whether 1t
be large or small, according to Henry Cor
don Thunder, leader of several of the prin-
cipal singing societies of Philadelphia ana
other Pennsylvania cities.
Musical work Of this kind said Mr..
Thunder, "gives those who take part in It
an opportunity to become personally ac-
Quainted with the great masterpieces OF
choral composition which they otherwise
could not obtain. Many of the greatest
minds in music have given their best efforts
to the composition OF great choral works,
and 1t represents class of music in which
individual study is Of little avail in so far
as tue knowledge Of the effects produced is
concerned. This can only be secured by
active participation In the public perform
ancc Of these works.
Valuable TO the Student
''If the performance be good one there
is n remarkable opportunity for Judging the
effect of the work upon the public as we'll
as obtaining an intimate personal knowl-
edge of how the effects are produced by the
combination Of the voice parts and those Of
the orchestra. From the point of view OF
the student of music the whole matter is n
thing of inestimablc value. BY this l espe-
cially mean the public performance, because
things which often sound"wcil In the studio
do not always sound so well in public.
1.-THE value to the community at large
lies somewhat in the stimulation of musical
interest and knowledge in the individual.
The ability to know and appreciate the mas
tcrpieces of choral composition gives re-
Aexly a valuable knowledge of other forms
Of composition and makes them so much the
easier TO understand and admire. Thus for
example the singer who has been thor
oughly trained in choral work, and has some
acquaintance with the great compositions in
this form, has an advantage in hearing
symphony which is not possessed by one
without this knowledge.
Audiences and Performers
eve are educating in the United States
an enormously critical and cXucting audi
ence, perhaps the most critical in the world,
through concerts such as the PHILADELPHIA
Orchestra the New York Symphony Society,
the Metropolitan Opera Company and other
professional organizations of the first class
are giving each year here and in the other
great cities. Their ears and their musical
perceptions are becoming very keen, and re-
Deuted performances of the best works enable
them to Judge with accuracy both the merits
of a composition and those OF the organiza-
tion which presents It,
"But with all this We do not build up the
personal musical Cndeavors of our people
Choral work does this as well as stimulates
the critical and apprcciatiye musical facu-
ties. The singer who has fair voice and n
moderate musical education finds develop
mcnt and encouragement through his choral
experience, and II he possesses qualities
which are at all unusual he will be able TO
90 on and make his mark iu the world of
music 1t is surprising how many of the
leading singers in the United States Eng
land and Germany had their first experience
as member Of Il choral body.
Advantage OF the Singer
1.-The orchestral player starts as pro-
| fesgionul musician aud therefore on II much
| higher level Of musiCianship. This necessl-
toics a preliminary musical education and
actual practice which the singer does not
haye to do. The instrumentalist who PLAYED
tbe most insignificant part in the orchestra
which ACCOMPANIED the Choral Societv,s q
performance of The Messiah" last Wednes
day evening bad TO go through a course Of
nraCtiCe and a routine requiring years Of
study and practice before he was competent
| to do this work. This is not required of
| the choral singer.
Singing is the most instructive form Of
musiral self -cXprcssiOni aud the greater
| uumbcr OF these prlYons that we have in tina
| rn,Irtry the better are the chances for some
duy developing distinctive American school
! Of music.
IAN our American music Is so strongly
| tlncturcd with the music of the predOmi-
mating European schools that II has no
| marked individuality or characteristics. But
| sofe day primitive American will start