Theodore Thomas : a musical autobiography . deficiency in theorganization, and one which is characteristic ofAmerica; for while a constant change in the per-sonnel of the chorus may be an advantage to thecommunity, it is not so to the association, for it pre-vents the chorus from having a repertoire, and con-sequently at every Festival the old works require asmuch time for preparation as the new, instead ofrequiring only to be re-polished, as would be the caseif they were in the repertoire of the chorus. Thepercentage of members who remain for a number ofyears in the organization, and those wh
Theodore Thomas : a musical autobiography . deficiency in theorganization, and one which is characteristic ofAmerica; for while a constant change in the per-sonnel of the chorus may be an advantage to thecommunity, it is not so to the association, for it pre-vents the chorus from having a repertoire, and con-sequently at every Festival the old works require asmuch time for preparation as the new, instead ofrequiring only to be re-polished, as would be the caseif they were in the repertoire of the chorus. Thepercentage of members who remain for a number ofyears in the organization, and those who are changingconstantly I do not know, but I believe the time hascome when the same system can be carried out withthe chorus as has already been done with the orches-tra, and a higher standard can be reached with asmaller body of singers. Another difficulty has been the lack of a suitablehall in which the chorus rehearsals could be rehearsal hall for chorus work should not be toosmall, nor should it have too much vibration, for the. THEODORE THOMAS IN 1857 LIFE WORK 83 singers must be able to hear all the other parts easily,and learn that the blending of voices is the same asthe blending of colors. Shouting is not singing, andwithout shading expression is impossible. In 1880I was able, owing to my residence in Cincinnati, tosuperintend the work of the chorus and rehearse withit a great deal. I treated its members like intelligentbeings, taught them to think, and compelled them todistinguish the intervals mentally instead of merelysinging by ear. As a result, such rapid progresswas made that the chorus of that year was pronouncedby the Eastern musicians who attended the Festivalthe best in the country. When I left Cincinnati I placed the chorus underthe direction of Mr. Arthur Mees, who had been myaccompanist, and who conscientiously continued thework and further developed the chorus as long as heremained in that city. After his departure it de-teriorated, owing to sever
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