CONGREGATIONAL AND CHOIR SINGING.

New Zealand Tablet, 26 March 1914, Page 35

CONGREGATIONAL AND CHOIR SINGING.

To the Editor.

kir, Permit me to say a few words on this subject. With regard to congregational singing, we know that his Holiness has written very strongly in favor of plain chant, and plain chant implies congregational singing. Surely the wish of his. Holiness must have weight will} members of the Church. Some people sneer at plain chant, but possibly these are not acquainted with it. Let them hear the ‘Te Deum ’ or .the 1 Dies Irae * sung by a capable congregation, and they must admit that no singing can be more soul-stirring. On the other hand, it must be admitted that good singing by a trained choir is edifying provided that the music is appropriate to the sentiment expressed by the words. Who has not been moved to devotion by some of the Masses of Mozart or Weber or Gounod, or by the numerous motetts which are sung at the Offertory ? Let us then have both congregational and choir singing. But may I, as a member of a congregation* plead for simplicity in our hymn tunes, and especially for uniformity in the airs for the ' O Salutaris ’ and the Tantum Ergo.’ In New Zealand generally, Webbe’s airs for these are familiar to most of us, and I venture to suggest that they should always be used.—l am, etc. ’ James Plunket. Christchurch.