hours, and a half hour less is plenty long enough, if there is no waste of time.  In learning new music, voices should be rehearsed separately; that is, all sopranos, tenors, basses, and altos by themselves first, then combine the voices.  You should place before a choir a variety of music sufficient to arouse the interest of all concerned.  This will include much beyond the direct demand for church work.  The chorus of The Temple has learned and sung on appropriate occasions war songs, college songs, patriotic songs, and other grades of popular music.

“No one man’s taste should rule in regard to these questions as to variety, although the proprieties of every occasion should be carefully preserved.  Due regard must be paid to the taste of members of the chorus.  If any of them express a wish for a particular piece, I let them have it.  When it comes my time to select, they are with me.  Keep some high attainment before the singers all the time.  When the easier tasks are mastered, attempt something more difficult.  It maintains enthusiasm to be ever after something better, and enthusiasm is a power everywhere.  In music, this is ’the spirit which quickeneth.’

“In the preparation of chorus work do not insist on perfection.  When I get them to sing fairly well, I am satisfied.  To insist on extreme accuracy will discourage singers.  Do not, therefore, overtrain them.

“An incredible amount may be done even by a crude company of singers.  When the preparation began for the opening of The Temple, there was but a handful of volunteers and time for but five rehearsals.  But enthusiasm rose, reinforcements came, and six anthems, including the ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’ were prepared and sung in a praiseworthy manner.  Do not fear to attempt great things.  Timidity ruins many a chorus.

“Do not be afraid to praise your singers.  Give praise, and plenty of it, whenever and wherever it is due.  A domineering spirit will prove disastrous.  Severity or ridicule will kill them.  Correct faults faithfully and promptly, but kindly.

“In the matter of discipline I am a strong advocate of the ’fine system.’  It is the only way to keep a chorus together.  The fines should he regulated according to the financial ability of the chorus.  Our fine at The Temple was at first twenty-five cents for every rehearsal and every service missed.  It has since been dropped to ten cents.  This is quite moderate.  In some musical societies the fine is one dollar for every absence.  This system is far better than monthly dues.

“The advantages to members of a chorus are many and of great value.  Concerted work has advantages which can be secured in no other way.  A good chorus is an unequaled drill in musical time.  The singer cannot humor himself as the soloist can, but must go right on with the grand advance of the company.  He gets constant help also, in the accurate reading of music.  Then, too, there is an indescribable, uplifting, enkindling power in the presence and cooeperation of others.  The volume of song lifts one, as when a great congregation sings.  It is the esprit du corps of the army; that magnetic power which comes from the touch of elbows, and the consecration to a common cause.  No soloist gets this.