The Washington times., 1922-12-07
MAKES APPEAL
FOR CHORAL
SOCIETY.
R.Huntingdon Woodman Takes
Up cudgeI for Song
F, Development.

r. Huntington Woodman, whose
compositions are the delight OF
church musicians, and who has a
wide following in Washington. is OF
the opinion that one of the most inn
portant factors in the musical devel-
opment of the country is the choral
society. N
1t makes little difference, says
Mr.. Woodman, whether the society
is composed of men, women or both,
but for the reason that 1t Is difficult
to get men to participate in choral
rehearsals II would seem that most
of the work along that line will be
done by clubs of women's voices.
At all events. Mr.. Woodman de-
clares, women's clubs are springing
up all over the country and In many
of them there is special attention
to music. chorally, historically and
above all, seriously.
Writing in the Brooklyn Eagle,
Mr.. Huntington says:
Choral music does not receive In
this country the attention 1t
merits. 80
'In England and Canada II is car.
ried to much greater length than
singing in the world can be heard
in Canada, and, even in the far West
ern portion Of. that land we find
choral societies, in many towns.
meeting occasionally in friendly
rivalry at song fest" competing
for prize awarded for the best
performance of siven program
Idea Should Flourish
There is a movement on foot to
inaugurate choral festivals in this
country. Whether It will succeed
In the larger towns, with the multi
tude of distractions IT will have to
contend with, Is q question. In
smaller towns the choral idea should
flourish and II proper direction can
be obtained the movement ought to
have some success. Certainly the
idea ia q good one and. IL carried
out. the plan will doubtless stimu.
late the love of music and IT'S study.
During the war community sing.
ing had it's day. II seems to
have died for want Of inspiration.
The choral society aims higher: and
while II can not include everybody
In the community 1t VIII get its In.
spiration from the master-works OF
native and foreign composers. and
from the enthusiasm of participating
members. Only those who have had
the experience realize the pleasure
Of studying q great choral work un.
der a master conductor. The writer
recalls his membership in the old
Philharmonic Chorus under Theodore
Thomas as among the most Interests
ing. enjoyable and valuable expert
ences of his life. -
"The educational influence of such
a society will come through it's pub.
lie performances and, IL an interest.
ing program Is presented, q reason.
able support can be expected from
the people.
Light Cantatas Urged. /,
THAT the oratorio concertsin Man.
haitian and Brooklyn attract only
moderate or small audiences (except
when The Messiah is ,given) IL due
to the fact that such ,oratorios are
frequently heavy and Of interest
hnainly to professional musicians.
''The writer has felt forssome years
that there is field for choral sing.
ing In the presentation OF lighter
cantatas and choral ballads instead
Of an oratorio performances. To edu.
cate we must present the subject In
an understandable way. The people
are not yet able TO understand or en-.
Joy an oratorio (unless we except
Elijah or The MessiahD. Whereas,
shorter and lighter chofal works
would make an appeal and'eventuaily
we would be able to find IN oratorio
| n audienca