ct out of selfish or
mercenary considerations.

[Sidenote: PROVIDING THE WORDS OF SONGS]

The leader of community singing must not make the mistake of supposing
that "everybody knows _America_, _Swanee River_, and _Old Black Joe_,"
and that no words need therefore to be provided. As a matter of fact,
not more than one person in twenty-five can repeat correctly even one
of these songs that "everybody knows," and we may as well recognize
this fact at the outset and thus prevent a probable fiasco. There are
three ways of placing the songs before our crowd of people:

1. Having the words of all songs to be sung printed on
sheets of paper and passing one of these out to each person
in the audience.

2. Furnishing a book of songs at a cost of five or ten cents
and asking each person in the audience to purchase this book
before the "sing" begins, bringing it back each succeeding
time.

3. Flashing the words (sometimes the music also) on a screen
in front of the assembly. The disadvantage of the last named
method is the fact that the auditorium has to be darkened in
order that the words may stand out clearly; but in
out-of-door singing the plan has very great advantages,
being for this purpose perhaps the best of the three.

After the chorus has gotten well on its feet, it will probably be best
to purchase copies of some larger and more elaborate book, the copies
being either owned by individual members or else purchased out of
treasury funds, and therefore belonging to the organization. At the
first "sing" it will be a distinct advantage if no financial outlay
whatever is required of the individuals composing the chorus.

[Sidenote: THE ADVANTAGES OF PLANNING IN ADVANCE]

In conclusion, let us urge the leader of community singing to decide
beforehand just what songs are to be used, and to study the words of
these songs carefully so as to be able to imbue the chorus with the
correct spirit of each one, having at his tongue's end the story of
the song and other pointed remarks about it that will enliven the
occasion and keep things from stagnating. He will, of course,
frequently find it necessary to modify his plan as the "sing"
progresses, for one of the most necessary qualifications in the leader
is flexibility and quick wit. But if he has a definite program in mind
and knows his material so well that he does not need to look at his
book, he will be mu