SURPLICED CHOIRS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7787, 19 August 1903, Page 4

SURPLICED CHOIRS.

ARE THEY NECESSARY? St Paul, referering to the- services of the .Church, says:—"Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Cor., xiv., 40). A plain direction, which can oi.ly .mean that such services are to be conducted wit:', reverence and solemnity,' and in accordant., ■with the ceremonial order laid down by the Church.. And, in order that this most desirable effect of a Church service; be not counteracted, it. is at the greatest consequence that everything be done in as solemn and perfect a manner as possible,: without blunder or mistake, or anything that ec-uld be made the excuse for ridicule. Particularly does this 'apply to the music and singing. The organist, upon j whom so much depends in English i Churches, should be a competent musician, J with a good knowledge of the music of the • Church.. The music ho use? should be strictly sacred music His voluntaries should never remind; us of anything we n:ay havei heard in the theatre or concert ball. He should never seek 'to'tickle the ears of the congregation by showing off his own skill. Everything in the way or a performance is severely to be deprecated. The practice which has lately sprang up of giving organ performances (o» •'• recitals," as they are called) in chuvche-s -is, in th© opinion of the writer, a most deplorable one. 1 - SO WITH THE CHOIRS. It should consist of the best voices and mcfit cultivated singers available. They should be trained with care. The music sung should be well within their powers, and they should know it thoroughly. Nothing bo interferes reverent worship as mistakes made by "'the choir, as a whole or individually, or the consciousness, that any moment the choir may break dftwn through' attempting too much, or practising trio little. All members of choirs shoiild attend practices regularly. The. following remarks by Bishop Thorold relate to two or thr^e-matters with regard to- which those in charge of choirs often have- much to answer for; —"lf anyone asks me about asurpliced choir, I am in favour of it, but there are, two-things I bargain ie«r —one, that you shall have their surplices always washed, and next, that you have a choir which, when it is surpliced, is not to be distinguished by bad singing. We are all coming to feel that Church, music is a great help to worship. . . . . But I also feel that if members of the choir accept from God and the minister the privilege Of taking part in tho services, the one thing they owe to Almighty God, to the congregation and themselves is reverence. I know choirs, some in London, where (heir singing is almost a means of .grace; it is done so beautifully, so reverently and with so much care that it lifts tip- the whole service to a higher. kv<?l. I have also, lam sorry to say, seen choirs which, during the service, were turning -over their music books, or whispering, and were not praying; /and people see it, and a chill comes over the service, and those who ought to. be nearest to God when in His presence, and helpers of the service, are actual.hindrances. I again impress upon you the one secret — reverence.'' v •