MUSIC IN THE ASSOCIATIONS. interesting to our subscribers to read the following communication from his son, Milando, who is engaged to supply for each number of the new volume the most choice selections from the sermons, lectures and writings of his distinguished father: Editor Contributor:-The steel plate engraving you have had executed of my father, Orson Pratt, for the next volume of THE CONTRIBUTOR, I beg leave to say is, in my opinion, almost perfection. And I feel safe in saying that those who were acquainted with him and his appearance in life, will, when they see this beautiful steel engraving, agree with members of his family and some of his most intimate friends to whom I have shown the likeness, that it is the best picture of him in existence, and bears a more "striking resemblance" than any portrait they have yet seen of the late Apostle Orson Pratt. 37 The engravers-H. B. Hall's Sons, New York, are certainly entitled to great credit, and, on behalf of the family and friends, I herewith take the liberty of extending these worthy engravers congratulations. As, also, with much gratitude to yourself, I remain, Your brother in the Gospel, Milando Pratt. It is one of the easiest things in the world to get into debt, but debt is one of the hardest masters to serve, and one of the most difficult to escape. How can we ask others to think as we do when to-morrow we probably shall think differently ourselves. Some people sponge on their friends so much that they absorb all their profits. MUSIC IN THE To Y. M. M. I. A. Choir Leaders: BRETHREN,-It is with pleasure that I offer these few hints to such as may feel that they would be useful in organizing male singing clubs for our associations: First: Think over carefully and write down the names of all the male singers good and moderate-that will occur to your mind at the time, who are members of the ward in which you live. At first you may not be able to think of but few, but soon others will suggest themselves to you as ASSOCIATIONS. voices for the lowest or second bass, taking the higher and less powerful bassos for the first or upper bass. If possible let one who can read music or has had considerable experience in part singing be selected for the middle parts, ie, Second tenor and first bass, to lead the others well, for while a poorer voice or at least one of less height or depth of compass will answer, it requires more musical ability and experience to sing these parts well than the upper and lower parts. If an organist can meet with you, the parts played will greatly aid all in learning the piece. But re possible members, add them to your list, if their voices are fairly good; never mind if they do not read music, they can be taught the pieces with little member, to get the proper effect the trouble. tenor (right hand part) must be played an octave lower than if intended for See them all and appoint a meeting, asking each to try and bring a copy of treble and alto. THE CONTRIBUTOR containing the music. To get the best results from your Of course, they will all be either bassos rehearsals, divide the piece up into as or tenors. Let those who can produce many short complete sections as possible the high tones easiest sing the upper and learn well one section at a time, trytenor, reserving those who can sing the ing one part at a time, taking the lower medium nicely, but cannot reach, say first. In this way the effect will soon be so high G, or A, for the second tenor. interesting (as they become able to sing Select the lowest and most powerful a section altogether) that you need not fear for the next meeting; it will be looked forward to with pleasure. Boys between thirteen and fifteen years of age (and some times older until the voice has changed) who have good voices and musical taste can often sing the first tenor with the men—or even one man-to lead, with good effect: as they do not have to strain for the higher tones. Care must be taken at first, however, that they do not attempt to sing an octave higher; correct them by starting them an octave lower. This device may aid you in getting plenty of first tenors for a large club. As the matter of getting started and organizing successfully is the present work to attend to, I will leave the details relative to the competition for another article. The prizes are well But the fruits this worth working for. work will bear in pure pleasure, and satisfaction to you and all concerned will be of a thousand times more value, whether you win a prize or not. Think of five hundred male glee clubs in the community working harmoniously together! How soul-stirring and; sublime the effect should they ever meet altogether-and why not-but greater still the little benefit derived by each and all separately. Wake up to it! Let not your ward be behind the times in this new but glorious work. Correspondence will be gladly received by me, and any assistance I can give cheerfully rendered. Address: Evan Stephens, 831 E. First South Street, Salt Lake City. sunbeams in the morning lightRefresh the flow'rs bedeck'd with dew, So mf (Sing the parts accompanying the melody very soft and staccato.) pp let me in thee blend my voice, And let my longing heart rejoice, While OUR readers will gladly observe that one must study; and the facilities for this advanced study, and research are supplied in the sections and sub-divisions just alluded to. with this, the first number of the Twelfth Volume and the beginning of the new year, our sectional and subdivisional work is briefly outlined. A reference to page 262 No. 7, volume IX CONTRIBUTOR, will remind officers and old members that certain well defined facts are now pretty well established. It has become more generally understood that the Associations are truly educational in character, in the sense in which we as a people view education, and not merely entertainments or pastimes. And again on pages 351 and 352 No. 9, volume XI., is a reminder of what True Education consists. Now the Young men's Mutual Improvement Associations should be the exponents and culmination in their department of universal education. The work being educational in character, it is evident it must be conducted as far and as fast as preparation can be made on educational principles. To illustrate: Each Association may be regarded as a polysophical society in embryo, with this distinction or difference, that the Association proper is organized and a working general programme, which may be considered the written part of the constitution, adopted. and then the distinctive features mentioned in the beginning of this article as reference constantly kept in view; after which sections are organized with a chairman and secretary to each as additions to the Association proper. These sections represent the four basic studies, sub-divisions of which supply in detail the essential or visible analysis of the work. That is to say, there are four basic studies, namely; theology, history, science and literature. Now it must be remembered that the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations are or should be composed of young men, not boys or children. The Primary Associations are organized for the children. These young men then take upon themselves the character of students. To be a student in the sense here employed, Some desire to make "preaching the Gospel" a special study; some general or branchial history; while others desire music, or civil government for instance; and finally others language, journalism, poetry, the drama. On the principle of selective study, young men may choose the particular sections to what they desire to identify themselves. These sections report to the society proper through their section secretaries, thus being properly credited in the roll of attendance and exercises. While at first glance it might seem that the plan may present difficulties in the way of obtaining suitable persons to conduct the sections and sub-divisions, it is perhaps only necessary to explain that the same relationship exists between a president of the entire Association and a chairman of a section, that obtains between a school teacher and a class teacher. It will of course be understood that all these sections are additions or parts of the Association proper, and all under the general management of the president of the Association; in the same manner as the principal of a University or Academy may conduct classes in a lower department. It will, we presume, thus be seen that the president of an association (after the first week) may expect and require from each section organized, a suitable exercise by a member of that section for every general weekly proThus the gramme of the association. work is simplified in its dove-tailing and intensified in its diversity and harmony. Milton H. Hardy. None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them; it will generally be found that such persons a spendthrift covets covet secrets as money-for the purpose of circulation. Venture not to the utmost bounds of even lawful pleasure: the limits of good and evil join. |