Inauguration of the Church Choral Union

“A new musical society was inaugurated on Tuesday evening last, under the name of the Church Choral Union—on which occasion all the choirs in the service of Trinity Parish, New York, numbering about one hundred and fifty members, singing at the various churches and chapels in that wealthy community, met in the large and handsome gothic school-rooms of Trinity Chapel, in West Twenty-fifth street, and in association resolved themselves into a new society as above, to be governed by a President, Vice-President, three Trustees, four Directors a [looks like Secretary, but difficult to read], Librarian, and Treasurer; all of which constitute what is called the ‘Council of the Church Choral Union.’

The object of this association is the study and advancement of church and oratorio music, without regard to sect or denomination, and the members of the association are to be the ‘Lay-clerks and Choristers,’ in connection with any church or chapel in Trinity Parish. ‘Associate members’ are also admitted; that is, any person or persons, not connected with any office in the parish, who may desire to unite with the main body in the rehearsals and performances of sacred and cantata music.

A very novel but important feature in the organization, is the power to affilliate [sic] any choir or choral society which may wish to study the same works, and would be willing, on certain occasions to participate in the spirit and movements of the parent body. Every such affiliated choir or society, numbering twenty persons, has the power of returning a delegate as a Director, to sit with the Council. Thus the interests of every affiliated choir or society are represented. This liberal and expansive measure will tend to draw from all parts of the country a large force of auxiliaries, swelling the numbers, eventually, beyond calculation. This scheme, if thoroughly and systematically carried out, will concentrate a musical power in this city, on given occasions; bringing in its train a might and majesty, in the performance of the great contrapuntal writers of church and oratorio music, of most imposing character.

Another very liberal feature in the affair is a provision by which, should any affiliated society, at a distance, be unable to meet the expenses of travelling to New York for the purpose of attending all the general rehearsals, the conductor will be sent out, occasionally, to any part of the State, to visit and rehearse, in association with the local conductor, these societies. Thus the tempi and expression of the piece or pieces, as they are to be performed, will be adapted and preserved throughout every affiliated body. The expense of this, with any books or music it may be necessary to supply, will be paid by the central society.

 There is still another generous element: no entrance fees or annual dues are asked of any one. All that the Church Choral Union demands, and will insist upon, is punctuality in attendance, earnestness of purpose, and a determination on the part of every member to work for the promotion of the highest interests of sacred musical art.

There are two most important clauses in the constitution of this society; one is that no member can claim any renumeration for the services of the society will be entertained [sic], unless the Council deems such an application connected with the interests and progress of musical art. And not even then, unless the matter be first submitted to a vote of the whole society; and when such services are so granted, the society is forbidden to receive any compensation for services so rendered. Previous to the proceedings, on Tuesday, Dr. James Pech addressed the choirs in a pertinent and pleasant speech. Subsequently, after the practice of one or two choruses from Mendelssohn’s hymn of ‘Peace,’ the society appointed Dr. James Pech chairman for the evening, and proceeded to elect officers for the year ensuing, as follows: President, George Templeton Strong. Vice-President, Adam Treadwell Sackett. Trustees, John J. Cisco, Wm. B. Astor, George Templeton Strong. Secretary, James F. Ruggles. Treasurer, Horace V. Bartol. Librarian, Henry A.G. Bower.

It will be seen that upon this list of officers are the names of some of the most distinguished business, social, and financial members of New York society; the connection sheds upon the persons themselves, and the cause and well-being of musical art, distinction and honor. We wish the enterprise success.”

“The Church Choral Union held its first meeting on Tuesday evening, September 8th, at the large gothic school-room of Trinity Chapel, for the purpose of electing officers and for practice. There was a full attendance, and Dr. James Pech was called to the Chair, when he delivered the following address:

 ‘In commencing this undertaking, the promoters, who are men of large social and pecuniary influence, desire to advocate the interests of Art in association with the religious worship of our churches in that parish, and of assisting to disseminate a cultivation of the refined and beautiful in connection with religious musical art throughout the world.

‘The Rector and Corporation of Trinity Parish on one side, and the public at large on the other require such an organization as we are, to aim at as high a standard of excellence as our powers will permit. In order to satisfy this very reasonable expectation and to arrive at so desirable a result, we have to develop those powers to the utmost. This, in the present instance, can only be accomplished by the cultivation of two very important elements—discipline and obedience. These two things thoroughly understood and determined on, instruction will begin and knowledge be established.

‘The organists and choir masters of Trinity Parish, in the most perfect accord, after much careful consideration, have allotted for each of us places which, in the opinion of the whole, he is best adapted, by learning and experience, to fill. Dr. Walter and Mr. J.H. Cornell are the organists and accompanyists [sic]; Mr. A.H. Messiter is the Chorus-Master, and myself the Conductor. Each one has an arduous and critical post to occupy, and much depends upon the patience, perseverance and loyalty of each. Nor does the whole responsibility devolve upon the organists and choir-masters. Every individual member of the Church Choral Union has also a responsibility in the matter, which a good strong guiding principle and a thorough good faith can alone support and carry forward to a successful issue.

‘Now, as I am called upon in the dual capacity of conductor and as the mouthpiece of the Council and the interpreter of such compositions as they may decide upon for public performance, it is important that the position of Conductor and Musical Director should be thoroughly understood, in order that that position shall enlist your highest attention and respect. The conductor’s every look and nod, and word and gesture, should be minutely and strictly observed and received with the kindest interpretation. The whole body of singers, as I see them before me now, should become, in course of time and education, an obedient and pliable mass to his will, susceptible of every instantaneous impression he may desire to convey—as a combination of colors upon the painter’s palette, waiting, in mute respect, for the artistic brush and touch of that educated hand which is to convey through his skill and perceptions, the intelligence, the light and shade of every subject or composition he may desire to delineate—to be as justly given as he hopes it may be as justly received.

‘I will detain you no longer, now, with any further preliminary remarks, intended to be received in the same kindly spirit they are given; but I will add, that I trust that every organist and choir master in this parish, as well as every member of these choirs, will, at once, perceive that a variety of interests are involved in all the progress of this highly interesting and educational movement; and that the personal advancement of each is also bound up, indissolubly, with the future of this undertaking. Let us then, by patience, perseverance and industry, make that future a success: we shall then not only deserve, but command the admiration and sympathy of the polite and cultured in every department of education.’

“The practice which followed, though brief, was very satisfactory. The result of the election of officers was as follows:

            President, George Templeton Strong, Esq.

            Vice-President, Adam Redwell Sackett, Esq.

            Trustees, John J. Cisco, Esq., Wm. B. Astor, Esq.,             George Templeton Strong, Esq., 

          Secretary, James F. Ruggles, Esq.

            Treasurer, Horace V. Bartol, Esq.

            Librarian, Henry A.G. Bower, Esq.

            Organists, W. H. Walther, Mus. Doc., John H. Cornell.

            Chorus Master, Arthur H. Messiter.

            Conductor and Music Director, James Pech, Musc. Doc. Oxon.

            Patrons, The Rector and Corporation of Trinity Parish, N.Y.

“As we read over the list of patrons and officers of the Church Choral Union, we feel that there is a hope for music in this city yet. When we see that gentlemen of vast wealth and great social influence identify themselves with a musical enterprise of such significance and such magnitude as the Church Choral Union, we may feel assured that its affairs will be ably managed, and that it will be successful beyond the possibility of a doubt. Such names are not given lightly; it must be a well considered and thoroughly digested project, and one which possesses great excellence, and presents the elements of success, to influence men of wealth and position to become its sponsor. They would not attach their names to a possible failure; they must have recognized in the principles of the association, and in its Constitution and By-laws, the elements of permanence, and a means of elevating art by producing the works of the great sacred writers, in a style commensurate with their merits, and on a scale in proportion to the great choral demonstrations of England, Germany, and we may say Boston. The identification of this enterprise with the corporation of Trinity Parish is calculated to afford it great moral strength, and a prestige which no society now existing, or heretofore existing, has or ever had. It brings it at once under the fostering patronage of the refined, the intelligent, the wealthy; in immediate contact, indeed, with that class which can best sustain it, and most thoroughly appreciate its efforts. It is from such a source that such a society should spring; and while we congratulate the designers and promoters of the Church Choral Union, we applaud, in the name of art, the Rector and the corporation of Trinity Parish, for their liberal and powerful endorsement of an institution so well calculated to achieve great things in its honor by fostering, elevating, and extending the taste for the good and beautiful in music, in the highest and noblest branch of art.

“We believe in the stability of the Church Choral Union. It is formed on a sure working basis. It has a capital, and cannot grow feeble for want of resources. Its Constitution and By-laws are wise, comprehensive, and carefully guarded. Its system of affiliation is practical, having been tested by successful operation. Its officers are business men, and are segregated from all professional jealousy and influence, and its directive musical force is composed of able and competent musicians. Dr. Walter, of Trinity Chapel, and Mr. Cornell of St. Paul’s are skilful [sic] and experienced organists, and well up in the work they will be called on to do. Mr. Messiter is one of the best choral trainers in the country, and Dr. James Pech, by his firmness and decision, by his just appreciation of discipline, and his large practical experience, and knowledge of the great works of the sacred writers, gained in England and Germany, is pre-eminently fitted for the position of conductor. The esprit de corps among these gentlemen, resulting, upon consulation, in allotting to each the special duty according to fitness, is another evidence of the stability of the association.

“The Church Choral Union is untrammeled by pecuniary considerations, as no member of whatever class pays either initiation fees or dues; nor can the services of the society be given for any money consideration whatever. Thus one disturbing element is removed. An objection has been made to the system of affiliation, namely, that societies affiliating would lose their identity. This is a mistake. Such societies simply unite with the Church Choral Union, the Central Society, upon great occasions, when the names of the said societies, and also the names of the members of the same, will duly appear on the programme. It is only by the system of affiliation that vast bodies of singers can be gathered together, and, until this is achieved, New York must remain second-rate as compared with Boston.

“The Church Choral Union is now fairly under way. Its prospects are flattering in the extreme. Its objects command the respect and sympathy of all who love sacred music, and we feel satisfied that, if plague or earthquake do not intervene, it will go on successfully to achieve its great mission.”