Our Work: Training Young Men to Sing

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OUR WORK.

TRAINING YOUNG MEN TO SING.

More and more of late years have our missionaries felt the need of more practical musical training. Those who have cultivated this gift And those have found it of unmeasurable benefit to them in their labors. who have neglected it have had many causes for deep regret. Prof. Stephens, who is in receipt of scores of letters from his "boys" in the missionary field, quotes us a few expressions, as follows: "Never have I been refused entertainment where I have been able to sing one of our songs; nor ever afterward failed to get a welcome to return to the same place." Another says, "If we but have a chance to sing, the bitterness of opposition seems at once to melt; and our message is respectfully listened to." Another, "Our singing makes us hosts of friends," etc. Presiding Elders of various missions too have testified to the great benefit of good singing. Apostle Taylor and Elder Kimball being especially enthusiastic advocates of it. All this and numerous inquiries from brethren in charge of music in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in various stakes have caused Director Stephens to give the matter much thought and study. The result of which he has of late been experimenting upon with splendid success. He first wrote a letter to the presiding authorities of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of the Salt Lake Stake, oifering to train a number of young men from each Association (any number not over fifteen from each, as the hall would not hold more if every city ward availed itself of the

privilege) to sing hymns and choruses in parts. The aim being to prepare them to sing such selections either singly (the melody) or in two, three and four parts when that number met together. Instructions in

improving and using well their voices would be given; "pitching" the tunes,

476 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

etc., and especially harmonizing or "part singing" would be well practiced. In addition to the benefit derived by each individual from the training, whether at home or abroad, the concentrating of the many members for practice and training would give birth to a magnificent male chorus, and would become a mighty artistic factor in our advancement musically as a community, in addition to giving its members and the public the pleasing pleasure of the results of such efforts. That no financial consideration might stand in the way of the experiment. Brother Stephens furnished hall, lighted and heated, arranged, taught and published the selections used, at his own expense, with the understanding that when competent, the chorus would give a concert under their auspices, 'to raise funds with which to reimburse him —he even risking the entire expense of giving such concert (amounting, in the tabernacle, to between two and three hundred dollars). The first three months have proven wonderful possibilities, the young men

generally having fine, though uncultivated, voices. They give the closest attention and often call forth the warmest praise from their leader. Three hymns and two choruses are now well mastered. And the effect of the large group of fine, robust voices is electrifying. The chorus is divided in four parts, though the hymns are as yet sung in three, specially arranged for male voices, and every member of the chorus learns each of the parts, so that if desirable each one could teach the same to the entire association to which he belongs. The Era will in future numbers give a detailed outline of Director Stephens' mode of working for the benefit of musical directors generally, who may wish to benefit by it. A group picture, taken recently, of about three hundred male members of his chorus, (as well as another of nearly five hundred of a ladies' chorus of similar intent,) gives a glimpse of what this move will lead to. "Talk about musical festivals," says the enthusiastic teacher — "our Improvement Associations will yet hold some of the most interesting the world has known." And as we look at this fine beginning and mentally bring together ten, twenty, or even fifty such "beginners" we acquiesce. Like a mighty river, it will be unspeak- •ably grand. But like the mighty river, too, all divided up into irrigation streams to reclaim the barren deserts, will its integral parts scatter over a wide world and in doubly sweet music sing into the hearts of men the true message of salvation.