Church Music, Part III [pp. 743-754]

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clesiasticaI dec~rum into the sanctua- might obtain in the ordinary school.
ry, or to such a place as near to it as This special education given in the
the present inconvenient arrangement choir-school tends not only to imof our modern churches will permit, prove and elevate the character of
we shall never get a ch~rch W~oir. the boys, but fits them as well to at This is our first point: let us have tain a better position in life than they
male singers who will understand from could have hoped for without it. But
the dress and deportment they as- this is a subject we can afford to defer
sume, for the time being, as well as to future consideration.
from the position they occupy in the Supposing that we have come to
church, that their office as a church the determination to confonn our
singer is a sacred one, of high cha- church music at once to the true stanracter, and worthy of special respect dard, how shall we procure the necesas being associated officially with the sary choristers? Let us see what we
priestly celebrations at the altar. No need. For large churches, or what
sooner shall we have succeeded in are large churches to us, there should
teaching the people this true Catholic be at least four trained voices of men
tradition, than our youth will at once -two tenors and two baritones; and
look upon the function of choir-sing. not less il~an twelve boys. These,
er as an enviable position, and the equally divided on either side of the
effort to make themselves worthy to sanctuary, would make a better doube thus associated with the clergy in ble chorus than might at first be supthe divine offices will necessarily do posed. The boys can be had for the
much toward elevating their moral asking; but the four men will not easitone, and inspiring a devout Catholic ly be obtained without a reasonable
spirit. We shall, very probably, not salary. The advertisement for them
obtain all we desire at a first trial. should, of course, conclude with the
Many of those whom we may select warning, "None but practical Cawill likely disappoint us. This is in tholics need apply." We do not prothe nature of things. It is not every pose to put the cassock and surplice
one who is selected as a student for upon persons whose very appearance
the priesthood that proves to have a in that garb would disedify the peovocation. For ourselves, we appre- ple.
hend little difficulty if our own pur- For this choir we need a compepose be well determined, and we give tent teacher. Advertise for him, and
to the whole subject of church music it is not unlikely we shall find such
a little serious study and reflection. a one, or one who will quickly fit
As to the source from which our himsdf for that office, in one of the
churches are to obtain a regular sup- four hired singers. We do not hesiply of choristers, we frankly speak tate to say that, even in this great city
our mind, and say that the Catholic of New York, there are at present
choir system would appear to involve very few music teachers who are fully
necessarily the formation of what is competent to teach the proper meknown in Franc9 as the maitrise, or thod of chanting the Vesper psalms
choir-school, in which are admitted alone, not to speak of those other imboys of good moral character pos- portant portions of the divine offices
sessing sufficient vocal capability, and whose expression is more difficult to
of a grade of intelligence to render render. But there is no want that is
it worth while to bestow upon them not quickly met with the supply. If
a more refined education than they we want such a teacher, and are will