PLACING OF CHOIR

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22065, 11 September 1941, Page 8

PLACING OF CHOIR

Difficulty Found ALTERATIONS AT CHALMERS CHURCH The difficulty of accommodating the choir following the recent alterations effected in the church —the lowering of the choir platform and the erection of a pulpit and lectern—was discussed at the annual congregational meeting of Chalmers Church on Tuesday night, when a resolution was adopted asking the Deacons Court to consider the placing of the choir as a matter of urgency and to refer any recommendations back to the congregation. The alterations, it was stated, had restricted the space on the platform and the placing of the choir in the gallery had not proved satisfactory. Earlier in the meeting the minister (Rev. M. W. Wilson) mentioned that there had been some talk that the alterations in effect copied the arrangements of a sister church, the Anglican. He claimed that the new arrangement was a return to true Presbyterian ideals. Anyone familiar with the Anglican Church realised how wide of the mark such statements were. In the Anglican Church the central feature was the altar, which was placed near the wall, while in the Presbyterian Church the central feature was the communion table, not an altar. He went on to say that beauty in the Interior of the church, while not the most important consideration, was Important and a help in Divine worship. It was particularly important with children, and modern educational theory emphasised how susceptible children were to external influences.

While all would agree that the alterations had made a wonderful improvement to the interior of the church, the new arrangement was hot satisfactory to the choir which now had insufficient seating room, said Mr E. Porter. The choir had tried singing from the gallery, but it had proved unsatisfactory and the members had voted unanimously against taking a permanent place there. In his opinion the platform should be extended to accommodate both the communion table and the choir. He moved that the platform be extended to accommodate up to 40 members of the choir. Mr Wilson said that it was the intention to have the question discussed at the next meeting of the Deacons Court and then referred to a further meeting of the congregation. The alterations had been discussed for seven or eight months and only three Sundays had been available for experimenting on the placing of the choir. On his suggestion Mr Porter agreed to make his resolution a recommendation to the Deacons Court. The recommendation was seconded by Mr W. S. Young. Mr J. P. Steven said he considered it unwise to consider one recommendation rather than make a comprehensive investigation. He moved as an amendment that the Deacons Court be asked to take up the question of placing the choir as a meeting of urgency and refer the question back to the congregation, the choirmaster to meet the committee in an advisory capacity. Mr Wilson expressed the opinion that no place would be found satisfactory for the choir as the' organ itself was in the wrong position. It his estimation the platform was the worst place for the choir. In the plan of the alterations the new position of the choir was shown at the side, which position had not yet been adequately tested.

Mr Steven’s amendment was carried.