Page:Choirmaster's Manual.djvu/16

4 Deferred Pay. A certain portion of a boy's pay should be retained, and perhaps a yearly interest might be added. Then, should a boy leave without a reasonable excuse, or otherwise violate, his agreement before his voice breaks, he forfeits the whole sum, otherwise it should be given him on leaving, with possibly a good-conduct bonus. Any little help towards efficiency, such as medals or certificates, is to be encouraged, and a monthly examination in the course covered is also a great help in showing a choirmaster how much theory is really understood.

Music. Music should be carefully catalogued and numbered, and a record kept as to date from which it was used. A librarian can usually be pressed into service, and a choirmaster can help a great deal in systematizing under various headings, such as "Canticles" or "Anthems," or special seasons, etc.

Hints for the Practice-room. Use a square piano. A reed-organ is to be avoided, as boys unconsciously imitate the nasal tone. A piano gives prompt attack.

Always place poor singers next to good ones.

Teach all boys to sing solos in the practice-room; it gives confidence.

Make boys count time during symphony, and take breath one beat before singing.

Never allow the eyes to be taken off copy till finished; the mouth or face should never be covered with copy.

Devote quarter-hour to scales and exercises.

Practise softly.

Conduct often without accompaniment; this makes boys self-reliant.

Don't bother boys with technical words.

In long passages, apportion different places for breath. Don't let ail breathe at once, e.g., in Handel's choruses.