NOTES
Like all other disciplines, the world of music is awash with text books on all manner of related subjects. In the main, they are written by “experts” often wishing to put their own slant on a particular topic. Recently I was given a pile of music which included an intriguing little publication entitled “Don’ts for Choirmen” written by John Newton and published in 1925 priced sixpence.
Much of what the author suggests is good common sense, but there are some sections which suggest that he must have had a few “issues” with his choristers! Here are some examples:
19. Don’t attempt to control the pace (of the music). That is the organist’s responsibility, not yours.
20. Don’t fail to do what you can to bring about an improvement in your singing, particularly in the correct recitation of the psalms and canticles……….put the words first. The chant is the shoe (and we are always trying on new ones) and the psalm the foot. Now what has to be fitted? The shoe to the foot or the foot to the shoe? Which? Very well, “carry on”. We have been lame for years in palms and canticles.
22. Don’t think that the (hymn) tune set is always the best possible. When a tune is changed, ask for the reason if you like, but don’t sulk.
40. Don’t eat sweets or suck lozenges in church. A “voice lozenge” does not get to the voice; if you feel the need of a lubricant, may be your breathing or production is wrong.
31. Don’t sing unintelligently; find out what the words really mean. Many words at first sight are not easy, viz. :-
guerdon = reward
sware = declare
peculiar = one’s own
sojourner = a traveller
and many similar. However, Mr Newton’s description of the word Eucharist is
interesting:-
Eucharist = Giving of thanks. Not English, it may be said. What matter. Is menu English? Or Table d’hote?
7. Don’t ever forget that it is the quality of voice that matters, not quantity. Aim at beauty of tone. Basses let your tone be round, full and rich like the diapason on a well-voiced organ.; not woolly, hard or thin. Tenors, we want a silvery streak in the chorus; too often the tone is red. Nothing is more painful than an assertive tenor. Tenor tone should be clear, liquid and silvery. Altos – remember your voices have great carrying power. Avoid a break in the registers. Some altos are inclined to “hoot” and generally speaking their words are not good.
And there are many more gems contained within the 43 Don’ts elaborated by the author. I have to say that Mr Newton’s choir must have been something of a headache to manage! On the contrary, here at St James’ church our tenors and basses are perfection itself……………… and none of the above applies to them!
There are three books in this series; the other two being don’ts for choirmasters and don’ts for organists. I am at a complete loss as to what could possibly be included in the latter publication……….. Nigel Davies