USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > History of St. Paul's Church, Buffalo, N.Y. : 1817 to 1888 > Part 30
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In April, 1874, the appropriation for church music for the coming year was $1,800, and the same amount was appropriated in 1876. The choir at Easter, 1874 (April 5th), was : Mrs. Staylin, Miss Ella P. Con- ger, C. M. Curtiss, Hobart Weed, and a mixed chorus of fifty-one voices, all under the direction of Mr. Chaffin. "The Heavens are Telling " was rendered with great power and effect, and Mrs. Staylin sang Handel's "I know that my Redeemer liveth." Miss Conger remained at St. Paul's until the last Sunday in May, 1874, when she
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resigned, to the regret of the congregation and choir. She afterwards became Mrs. Charles W. Goodyear. Miss Rose Anderson was engaged as solo contralto, June 1, 1874, and the chorus choir sang, as usual, until July.
Mr. Chaffin resigned his position in the Heathcote School, in August, 1874, and went to New York City, returning to Buffalo three weeks later, and resuming his position as organist at St. Paul's. Dur- ing his absence his place was temporarily filled by Mr. Peabody. Mrs. Staylin left St. Paul's in September, 1874, becoming soprano at St. John's ; her place at St. Paul's was temporarily filled by Miss Jennie H. Thompson of Lockport, beginning in October. The Christmas, 1874, music was rendered by Miss Thompson, Miss Rose Anderson, Mr. Curtiss, Mr. Weed, and a mixed chorus of fifty voices. Mr. Chaf- fin was organist. A part of Wahle's orchestra assisted the chorus under the direction of Signor Nuno. The programme included the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah, Berthold Tour's Te Deum, and the anthem, "Lo, the Angel of the Lord," from the Messiah, all given with orchestra accompaniment.
This was probably the first time an orchestra was ever heard in St. Paul's.
Late in 1874, Dr. Daboll left St. Paul's to take charge of musical affairs at the Church of the Ascension.
For the three months preceding Easter, 1875, Mrs. George Coit took the place of leading soprano, singing also in the quartette at the Easter service, March 28th, the other leading singers being the same as at Christmas. They were assisted by a mixed chorus of forty-eight voices. At this time, Easter, 1875, was sung Sullivan's Festival Te Deum, written in commemoration of the recovery of the Prince of Wales. As rendered by St. Paul's choir, it was compiled from the original and arranged for the organ by Mr. Chaffin, and the orchestral parts for eight pieces were written by Signor James Nuno. The necessary condensation was most skilfully done. The original score of this famous Te Deum of seventy-six pages (about one-half of which
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was given by St. Paul's choir), was written for a great chorus, full orchestra, military band and organ, and was first rendered at the festi- val held at the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, near London, May 1, 1872. On December 20, 1875, the distinguished composer having learned of the performance of the Te Deum by St. Paul's choir, and of how greatly it was admired in Buffalo, wrote a cordial letter of appreciation, which was published in the Buffalo Courier of January 13, 1876.
The Commercial of March 29, 1875, says : "The performance of the Sullivan Te Deum (at St. Paul's) left nothing to be desired." Mr. Chaffin was organist and director, and Signor Nuno conducted the Te Deum, and Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, which was given with great spirit and effect. At the evening service, the grand Gloria from Mozart's Twelfth Mass was sung. All were given with orchestra and organ. The church was crowded at both services.
In May, 1875, Miss Emma L. Underhill of Bath became solo soprano, the rest of the quartette remaining unchanged. Louis H. Plogsted was engaged as cornet soloist in October, 1875.
At Christmas, 1875, at St. Paul's, Gounod's Sanctus was sung ; and "Praise the Lord," from Spohr's Last Judgment, was given at the Christmas Eve and Christmas morning services, with orchestra. Sullivan's Festival Te Deum was repeated, and received great commen- dation from the musical critics. A chorus of fifty assisted the regular quartette, and Mr. Chaffin and Signor Nuno conducted.
At the informal opening of the new City Hall, on Friday evening, March 10, 1876, St. Paul's chorus choir was present by special request, and rendered the music for the occasion, singing "To thee, oh Coun- try," "My Country, 'tis of thee," and the Doxology.
At Easter, 1876 (April 16th), the same quartette with a mixed chorus of fifty voices sang, with orchestra. The Commercial said : " The music at St. Paul's was very fine." Gounod's Te Deum was sung, also Berthold Tour's anthem, " Blessing, Glory, Wisdom," both with orchestra. Mr. Chaffin's Gloria in Excelsis was also given with orchestra -"it is a really fine composition." At the evening service,
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Gounod's Sanctus, from the St. Cecilia Mass, was sung with orchestra, and Mrs. George Coit sang, by request, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."
On July 4, 1876 - the centennial year - a special service, arranged by Bishop Coxe, was held at St. Paul's at 9.00 A. M. The bishop and ten of the clergy, with Dr. Shelton as dean, were met at the door by the vestry, and the service began with the singing of the " Non nobis Domine " (Psalm cxv.) as a processional. Gounod's Te Deum was sung by the large chorus choir, accompanied by the organ and the 74th Regi- ment Band, which rendered a stately voluntary, introducing " Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott." The service was majestic and impressive through- out. The Commercial of July 5, 1876, in its report, said : "Those who bore a part in this solemnity will find pleasure in speaking of it in after years, as a truly historic event, and worthy of imitation here- after, on all great occasions of public thanksgiving, .... and as the Church thus lent her ancient offices to the sanctifying of a grand national event, we could not but reflect upon the sublime asso- ciations of such a service. Henry V., after Agincourt, is made to say :
' Do we all holy rites ;
Let there be sung Non Nobis and Te Deum.' "
At Christmas, 1876, the music was rendered by the same quartette, the mixed chorus of forty-nine voices, and the Germania Band orches- tra, under Signor Nuno, with Lucien G. Chaffin as organist and Louis H. Plogsted, cornetist. Among other selections, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus was given. A few days later, in the night of December 29, 1876, occurred the appalling railroad disaster at Ashtabula, Ohio, in which many lives were lost ; and among the killed was Miss Minnie Mixer, the only daughter of Dr. and Mrs. S. F. Mixer, and for several years one of the most popular members of St. Paul's chorus choir. A very lovely and gifted young girl, her sudden death came as a personal blow to the community. A memorial service for her was held at Trinity Church, and a similar service was held at St. Paul's in memory of Miss Mixer and two other victims of the terrible disaster, John S. Pickering and Louis J. Barnard, a brother of Col. A. J. Barnard of St. Paul's vestry.
The Music, 1817-1903. 34I
In February, 1877, permission was given by the vestry to the Rev. S. H. Gurteen to extend the organ loft four feet forward, and also to place a chancel organ over the vestry room in the space occupied by the old organ prior to its removal in 1863 to the west gallery. This new organ cost about $1,200, and was first used at Easter, 1877. At this time the carved black walnut reredos, newly illuminated in gold and colors, was unveiled. There was an immense attendance at the Easter services. The two organs were used, and the music was ren- dered by the same quartette (except that Mr. Curtiss was ill, and Edward C. Walker took his place as bass), and a chorus of fifty-one voices, with a small orchestra. L. G. Chaffin, the organist, was assisted by Paul Henrich, and L. H. Plogsted was the solo cornetist and leader of St. Paul's Cathedral orchestra. Randegger's anthem from the 15oth Psalm was splendidly sung, as was Dudley Buck's Te Deum. The new chancel organ was used with fine effect in Rimbault's Jubi- late Deo. The Doxology at the end of the sermon was also accom- panied by both organs.
April 16, 1877, the thanks of the vestry were extended to "the music committee, chorus choir, and all who have aided them, for the unexcelled music for the past year." In June, shortly before the chorus choir disbanded for the summer, Mrs. Imogene Brown sang the solo in the Inflammatus at St. Paul's. F. C. M. Lautz first sang in St. Paul's about June, 1877, and continued as baritone soloist for thirteen years. In September, 1877, Miss Underhill left for Europe, and Miss A. L. Hodges sang soprano until April 1, 1878, when Miss Carrie Butterfield became the solo soprano, just before Easter. Charles M. Curtiss, for several years the efficient basso of the quartette, was ill and unable to sing at Easter, 1877, and his death, at the age of twenty eight years, took place on June 4, 1877.
At Christmas, 1877, F. C. M. Lautz was the baritone soloist and Edward C. Walker sang bass in the quartette, with Hobart Weed as tenor. Mr. Walker and Mr. Weed gave their services for many years. The chorus at Christmas consisted of fifty-five men and women.
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January 1, 1878, Lucien G. Chaffin left St. Paul's, becoming organ- ist at St. John's, and later going to New York City. He was succeeded at St. Paul's, for a few weeks only, by Dr. James Peck of New York ; and John H. Norman then became organist.
March 30, 1878, the vestry authorized the Rev. S. H. Gurteen to organize a full choral service for St. Paul's, to be used for the Sunday vesper service, and also to make such alterations in the chancel as he should deem necessary for this purpose At Easter, 1878 (April 21st), the music was under the direction of John H. Norman, with George W. Fargo as assistant organist, and Louis H. Plogsted as solo cornet- ist and leader of St. Paul's Cathedral orchestra. The singing was by the quartette, Miss Butterfield, Miss Anderson, Messrs. Weed and Walker, and a mixed chorus of fifty-six voices, with F. C. M. Lautz as baritone soloist. Miss Lilian B. Norton of Boston was the special soloist at St. Paul's at Easter, 1878. Miss Norton, in 1879, took the stage name of Giglio Nordica - northern lily - and later became the famous prima donna, known as Madame Nordica. In the afternoon, the choral vesper service was held, the first vested choir in St. Paul's rendering the music.
At Christmas, 1878, the regular quartette, with a mixed chorus of thirty-six, sang, the organist being John H. Norman. Mr. Norman left St. Paul's immediately after Christmas, and Friedrich Federlein sub- stituted for a few weeks. Miss N. T. Roesser also sang from July, 1878, to April, 1879. Miss Welch sang in January, 1879.
In January, 1879, Gerrit Smith became the regular organist. The quartette consisted of Miss Butterfield, soprano ; Miss Anderson, con- tralto ; F. C. M. Lautz, solo baritone ; Hobart Weed, tenor ; and Ed- ward C. Walker, bass ; Mr. Weed and Mr. Walker gave their services. At Easter, 1879, a mixed chorus of forty voices assisted the quartette, and an orchestra of twelve pieces, under Plogsted, helped to render the music. Gerrit Smith was organist and director and George W. Fargo, assistant organist. Plogsted's Te Deuw, especially written for this occasion, was sung. In the afternoon, the vested choir of thirty-
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two men and boys, under Robert Palen, precentor, sang the choral ves- per service, one of the features of which was the singing of the Doxology, accompanied by the gallery and chancel organs and the brass instruments of the orchestra. "The music was superbly ren- dered and the church was crowded."
The music committee for 1879 - appointed in April-consisted of L. C. Woodruff, Hobart Weed, Edward C. Walker, M. B. Moore and T. Guilford Smith. May 12, 1879, the vestry appropriated $1,500 for the music. At Christmas, 1879, the chorus choir had become greatly reduced in size, being composed of four sopranos, three contraltos, four tenors, and four basses. There was an orchestra of ten pieces under Plogsted. The afternoon vesper service was sung by the vested choir of twenty boys and sixteen men under Allen G. Bigelow as precentor. Gerrit Smith was the organist and choir-master.
Miss Anderson resigned, to take effect January 1, 1880. Edward C. Walker and Hobart Weed resigned at this time, receiving the thanks of the vestry for their long-continued, voluntary service in the choir. The choir was reorganized, and the entire muscial control placed in the hands of the organist, Gerrit Smith.
At Easter, 1880, March 28th, there was no quartette. Miss Butter- field was the solo soprano and there was a mixed chorus of thirty-four voices, conducted by Carl Adam. Gerrit Smith was the organist and director, and George W. Fargo the assistant organist. Goss's Te Deum, "composed on the occasion of Her Majesty's Thanksgiving, at St. Paul's Cathedral, London," was sung. At the vesper service, the vested choir of thirty-eight men and boys sang, with Allen G. Bigelow and Robert Palen as precentors.
The Rev. S. H. Gurteen left St. Paul's in April, 1880. Mr. Smith, the organist, resigned, and was succeeded in the position by Joseph Mischka. Miss Butterfield resigned, and shortly after became Mrs. Gerrit Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Smith going later to New York.
The music committee after Easter, 1880, consisted of Howard H. Baker, A. J. Barnard, Henry R. Howland, Hobart Weed and Edward
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History of St. Paul's Church.
C. Walker. At the beginning of their term of office they found the church practically without an organist or choir. Joseph Mischka was engaged as organist the first Sunday after Easter, 1880, Miss Pauline Bonney as leading soprano, Miss Ida Hornung as contralto, and Adam Lautz, tenor. A volunteer chorus was secured by Mr. Mischka. Allen G. Bigelow continued to drill and conduct the boy choir, and under the supervision of Mr. Bigelow and Mr. Mischka the choir steadily improved and the afternoon choral services attracted large congregations each Sunday.
In September, 1880, it was resolved by the vestry that the interests of the church and the Sunday School required the efficient mainte- nance of a full choral service on Sunday afternoon.
At Christmas, 1880, an orchestra, under Louis Plogsted, assisted the double quartette and mixed chorus of thirty-two voices. Miss Marie Schelle sang on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. The choral service was sung in the afternoon of Sunday (the next day) by the vested choir of thirty-six men and boys, under Allen G. Bigelow and Robert Palen as precentors. Joseph Mischka was organist and director.
On January 11, 1881, the Rev. Dr. Shelton resigned as rector, and was made honorary rector. Miss Getheford sang to January 30, 1881.
At Easter, 1881, the chorus of thirty-four voices and quartette, conducted by Signor Nuno, sang, and Joseph Mischka was organist and director. Miss Schelle was the solo soprano and F. C. M. Lautz the solo baritone. The quartette was Miss Ida A. Snyder, soprano ; Mrs. R. H. Heussler (formerly Miss Ida Hornung), contralto ; Adam Lautz, tenor ; and Edward C. Walker, bass. In the afternoon, the vested choir rendered the choral service, under Allen G. Bigelow and Robert Palen as precentors. N. P. Curtice sang tenor in the quartette about June 25, 1881. Miss C. E. Sears sang in September, 1881.
October 1, 1881, Hobart Weed was elected chairman of the music committee in place of Edward C. Walker, resigned. The vestry resolved a vote of thanks to Mr. Walker "for his unceasing and untir- ing efforts to advance and sustain the music of St. Paul's Church."
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In December, 1881, the vestry agreed to have built a raised plat- form, extending the chancel floor into the nave, in order to accommo- date the vested choir. This work was done early in 1882.
At Christmas, 1881, Miss Snyder was soprano ; Miss Annie F. La Mont, contralto; N. P. Curtice, tenor ; and E. C. Walker, bass ; F. C. M. Lautz was solo baritone. There was a mixed chorus of thirty- one voices. Signor Nuno's Te Deum and Jubilate Deo, and the Handel Hallelujah Chorus were sung at the morning service. Even-song was rendered by the vested choir of about forty-five voices. Joseph Mischka, organist and director ; Hobart Weed, director of vested choir ; and Robert Palen, precentor. Louis H. Plogsted, leader of orchestra.
At Easter, 1882, Joseph Mischka was organist, and there was a quartette and chorus of thirty-two voices. The quartette was the same as at Christmas, 1881, except that F. P. Turner had become the tenor. Hobart Weed frequently gave his services as tenor in the quartettes during these years. The afternoon vesper service was sung by the vested choir of thirty-six men and boys, with Robert Palen as precentor.
In May, 1882, the Rev. John W. Brown, D. D., became rector of St. Paul's. Dr. Brown had strong musical likings, and had made a deep and long-continued study of church music especially, and under his fostering care the musical portions of the services at St. Paul's steadily improved. In June, 1882, the vestry appropriated $2,500 for the music for the coming year.
Beginning in 1882, Mrs. Henry W. Burt, being appointed by Dr. Brown, voluntarily looked after the welfare of the boys in the choir. She visited them in sickness, taught them the service, invited them to her home, accompanied them on their summer outings, be- friended them in every way, and gained the obedience and love of every boy in the choir. Her valuable assistance was much appreci- ated by Mr. Mischka, the organist. Mrs. Burt continued this self- denying work until about the year 1890, at which time Mr. Gilbert was the organist. Miss Mary Lovering succeeded Mrs. Burt.
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History of St. Paul's Church.
The Christmas Eve, 1882, music at St. Paul's, on Sunday afternoon (Christmas Eve) was rendered by the vested choir of men and boys, assisted by a quartette of brass instruments ; and on Monday morning, Christmas Day, the full chorus choir sang, with the organ and an orchestra of ten pieces. Joseph Mischka was organist and director, and William Kaffenberger assistant organist. The Christmas Eve service was attended by an immense congregation, and "the music was magnificently rendered," as was also that on Christmas Day.
At Easter, 1883, both services were sung by the vested choir of forty-nine men and boys. Simon Fleischmann assisted Joseph Mischka as organist, and Hobart Weed was director of the vested choir. Robert Tolmie was the solo cornetist. There was no quartette or mixed cho- rus at Easter, 1883. In March, 1883, Hobart Weed, Edward C. Walker and Dr. Henry R. Hopkins were appointed the music committee. After Easter, 1883, Miss Ella Wirt of Albion became the solo soprano.
For some years after Easter, 1883, no authorized published pro- grammes of the music rendered at the great festivals of the church appear to have been issued by St. Paul's. This makes it especially difficult to follow the personnel of the various choirs, as the news- paper accounts are most fragmentary, and often incorrect, and there are practically no other records which are accessible. This change in regard to the publication of musical programmes, quite generally adopted throughout the diocese, at this time, appears to have had its inception among the clergy of Rochester, N. Y. It was thought that the extent to which the advertising of the music had been at times carried encouraged a wrong motive for church going, affected the character of the music itself, and made it unduly prominent. Miss Wirt sang to May 1, 1883 ; also Miss L. C. Welch and Mrs. Jesse Peterson, in May and June.
In June, 1883, there was a chorus choir of about twenty men and women, most of whom were paid. Among the names are found Miss Julia Strasmer, Mrs. Archibald, Miss Inman, Miss Augusta Mischka,
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Simon Fleischmann, George T. Moseley, F. P. Turner, Miss Blanche Smith and others. This choir continued, with some changes, to 1885, at the morning services.
On October 11, 1883, occurred the death of the venerable and beloved honorary rector of the parish, the Rev. William Shelton, D. D., in the eighty-sixth year of his age. On October 15th, his funeral was held in the church where he had for so many years been rector. An immense congregation filled the building, and many were unable to gain admittance. The bells which he had loved were tolled. The music was rendered with impressive effect by a full chorus choir in the organ loft, and the vested choir of fifty-two boys and twelve men in the chancel, accompanied by both organs. Mrs. Wells B. Tanner sang " I know that my Redeemer liveth." After the prayers that followed, "Nearer, My God, to Thee " was sung, Mrs. Tanner singing the first verse, then the chorus and surpliced choir, first alternating and then together. In 1883, rooms for the vested choir were built in the basement.
At Christmas, 1883. Mrs. Jesse Peterson and Miss Clara Barnes sang solos, and carols were given by the boy choir ; Joseph Mischka was organist and director, and there was an orchestra of ten pieces. Plogsted's Te Deum and anthem were sung. Simon Fleischmann was assistant organist. In February, 1884, Mrs. T. P. Vaille became the solo soprano. At Easter, 1884 (April 13th), Sullivan's Festival Te Deum was sung, with quartette, consisting of Mrs. T. P. Vaille, soprano ; Mrs. R. H. Heussler, contralto ; Hobart Weed and Edward C. Walker. F. C. M. Lautz, baritone soloist. A chorus choir of forty also assisted, including many well-known singers. Joseph Mischka was conductor and organist, with Simon Fleischmann as first assistant and Miss Bianca Fleischmann as second assistant organist. R. J. Tol- mie was the cornetist, and L. H. Plogsted was the leader of the orchestra. The vested choir sang the vesper service at 4.00 P. M. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity at both services, and the music was enthusiastically praised by the critics. "The Easter service of song was pre-eminently successful in every way."
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History of St. Paul's Church.
In May, 1884, the new music committee was Hobart Weed, Ed- ward C. Walker, Dr. H. R. Hopkins, A. J. Barnard and James R. Smith. The same committee also served in 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888. In May, 1889, Edmund Hayes was added to the committee.
At Christmas, 1884, the music was rendered by a quartette, chorus, and vested choir, and Plogsted's orchestra of ten pieces, and " was of a high order of excellence. Mr. Mischka conducted, and Mr. Kaffen- berger was assistant organist. The singing of the boy choir was a beautiful feature." The solos were by Mrs. Vaille, Miss Elliott, Mr. Lautz, J. H. Williams and E. C. Walker. During 1884, Miss Julia Strasmer, Mrs. Jesse Peterson, Miss Seaman and Mrs. Heussler sang.
At the morning service at Easter, 1885 (April 5th), Sullivan's Te Deum and Gounod's Sanctus were rendered, the singing of Mrs. Vaille and F. C. M. Lautz being especially commended. Plogsted's orchestra of ten pieces assisted, Mr. Mischka conducted, and Andrew T. Webster was assistant organist. Mr. Webster had just been appointed organist at the First Presbyterian Church for the ensuing year. The boys sang at the offertory, and also at the early celebration of the Holy Com- munion, which was a choral service ; the usual afternoon choral serv- ice was also held.
At the Christmas, 1885, services, there was a full chorus and orches- tra, and a quartette. Miss Grace Wadsworth sang, also Mrs. William N. McCredie and F. C. M. Lautz. Mr. Kaffenberger was assistant organist, and Mr. Mischka conducted.
In March, 1886, Mrs. Fredericks was engaged as contralto at St. Paul's. Miss Gussie H. Sears sang soprano from March, 1886, to October Ist.
At Easter, April 25, 1886, the organ, quartette, and chorus of fifty were assisted by Plogsted's orchestra of eleven pieces. The quartette was Miss Sears, soprano ; Miss Grace Wadsworth, Messrs. Weed and Walker. Mrs. Crosby Adams played the organ and Joseph Mischka conducted. At Easter, 1886, the trio, " Lift thine eyes," from Elijah, was sung by three of the boys of the choir, Bert Smith, J. Clark Mil-
The Music, 1817-1903. 349
som, and Allan Farr, and was considered so remarkable a performance for boys that they were requested to repeat it at a public concert given by the Buffalo Liedertafel. Among the boy sopranos in the vested choir at this time was Percy Lapey, now a well-known local singer. In May, 1886, the vestry voted their "warmest thanks to Messrs. Hobart Weed and Edward C. Walker." On Sunday evening, May 29, 1886, a special and notable choral service was held at St. Paul's for the officers and men of the 65th Regiment, of which the Rev. Dr. Brown was chaplain. The service was an elaborate one, and the regimental band assisted.
At Christmas, 1886, the chancel choir of forty boys and twelve men sang at the choral celebration of the Holy Communion at midnight on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, the mixed chorus of forty ren- dered the music, assisted by Plogsted's orchestra. Mrs. McCready, soprano ; Mrs. Fredericks, contralto ; Messrs. Weed and Walker, and F. C. M. Lautz. Baumbach's Te Deum was sung.
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