BOYS AS CHORISTERS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 9

BOYS AS CHORISTERS

SUGGESTION BY MUSICAL JUDGE

IMPROVING THE VOICE Remarks made by the vocal adjudicator at the competitions, Mr. W. H. Dixon, on the desirability of inducing boys to join choirs, touched upon a new phase of competitive work, and were listened to with close attention. The class which was being heard was “Boys’ Song,” 12 to 16 years, own selection, and the choice of songs covered a wide range, including “Oh, for the Wings of a Dove,” “If With AU Your Hearts,” and “All Through the Night.” Mr. Dixon said the standard of singing had not been very high, but it had been interesting. It was noticeable almost throughout that the boys had difficulties with the upper register. Some were quite strong and fairly happy on the middle register, but in the upper registers were in trouble. It was a great pity. He would say that one or two were choir boys, and he felt pretty certain that the best singer that afternoon was a member of a choir. He would like to throw out a suggestion. Some of the boys who were singing ought to join choirs, and in a little while their upper registers would move as easily and freely as the middle voices. Listening to them, he wondered whether it was their fault that they, were not doing choir work, or whether it was the fault of the choirmasters. •

“I know that boys are considered to be imps of mischief in choirs. At the same time they lend a tremendous atmosphere, say, in an Anglican service, and ladies in Anglican choirs can never give the same atmosphere as boys do. I would suggest that endeavours be made to induce boys to join choirs. It would improve the musical portions of the service, and inculcate in the boys at an early age a love of music, while they would get some useful training. They lack training in the upper registers.”

Mr. Dixon added that the first boy had a nice vocal organ, but two distinct voices, and when in the high register seemed almost in pain. With practice he would become a really good singer. The boy who sang “Little Brown Owl” lacked the sense of humour, but was recalled for his singing. The boys did not get the same reality out of the songs as they did out of the recitations. They had done some wonderfully good work on the elocutionary side, and got facial expression, but in singing they did not seem to think it necssary. He asked parents to think this over, and in the interests of their boys and girls to pass the hints he had given along so that they would make their songs live vocally and elocutionally.