in
June 14, 1923
MUSICAL COURIER
room. A short pause follows, during which the important surprise of the day takes place—distribution of the mail. This is followed by the daily music lesson, which lasts mostly more than an hour, and from which no student is excused. Even those who are going through the period when their voice changes must attend, so that their sense of hearing may not become less acute, and that their general musical education may suffer no interruption. For these same reasons each boy is compelled to study the piano at the expense of the institute as well as having permission to learn some other instrument if he wishes. The school maintains an organ and numerous pianos at the disposal of the boys for practising.
Late in the afternoon there are still two more hours of regular school work to be done. The rest of the day, that is until the evening meal, the boys have leisure and can, if they wish, leave the school premises. Another free period is given after supper, which is used for visits to concerts, opera, etc. Ordinarily the younger boys must retire at nine and the older ones at ten o’clock. Special permission must be obtained for those wishing to remain out later. The pride of the singers in belonging to a choir of world renown helps to offset the little troubles and trials which go hand-in-hand with life in the school. But when hundreds listen with rapt attention to their singing in the Friday motets or the Sunday service, then each of the young virtuosi knows the high place which destiny has wished upon him.
less bell wakes them out of their slumber and from that moment there is life in the institute. All rush to the wash room, where each student has his own stone table and wash basin. It takes only a few minutes to perform the morning toilet when the lads hurry to their living room on the second floor, dress, and take a last look at their lessons. Now a second bell! They now are off to the chapel for a short service. A four-part chorale is followed by prayer, and the service ends with another short chorale. The boys then go to the dining hall for breakfast, served at long tables, where each has his regular place. Their simple meal consists only of black coffee and bread. Germany’s plight at present makes economy in this institution compulsory.
The morning meal is soon finished, and the boys return to their rooms for a study period before school is called. It is a rule that the older boys have authority over the younger ones, and they use this privilege strictly but always in a spirit of good fellowship. Besides the dean of the institution, there are three young unmarried teachers, called inspectors, also living on the premises. Each of these inspectors has twenty boys under his immediate care. The discipline of the school is severe, but it is always carried out on the principle of voluntary subordination. The system has nothing in common with the hated variety known as “Prussian drill.” By the time the students get to the classrooms the building is quiet and still. There is no sign of life again until noon, when they repair to the dining
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH, HIS CHURCH AND HIS CHOIR
Last week Leipsic commemorated the two-hundredth anniversary of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach, the immortal choirmaster and organist of St. Thomas’ Church (Thomaskirche). (1) St. Thomas’ Church viewed from the southwest. (2) View of the Nave of St. Thomas’ Church, Leipsic. (3) Bach Monument, adjoining the church. (4) Dr. Straube, cantor of St. Thomas’ (the same office which Bach held) and the boys’ choir (Die Thomaner) at the daily music lesson. (5) Prof. Karl Straube, cantor of St. Thomas’. (6) The choir loft in St. Thomas’ Church. (7) The old St. Nicholas Church (Nikolaikirche) Leipsic, which still preserves its ancient appearance.