ST. THOMAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, POINT A LA HACHE THE MUSICAL CONGREGATION OF PLAQUEMINES PARISH AND ITS MUSICAL DIRECTOR, MR. ROBERT HINGLE 1880 to 1905 By Dr. Karl W. Koenig ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Beginning in the 1880's the center of musical activity in the lower part of Plaquemines Parish was the Parish Seat at Point a la Hache and specifically, in the many activities of the Catholic Church of St. Thomas. St. Thomas Church was first built in 1847. FATHER JULES BERTHOLIN was pastor of St. Thomas. He is remembered for the large church festivals that he conducted to provide necessary funds for the running of the church. At these activities there was always live music. There are many detailed accounts of the brass bands that played at these church festivals and numerous accounts of the activities of the church choir and its music during the latter decades of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th Century. The leader and most active member of a very musical congregation at St. Thomas was ROBERT HINGLE. The history of the music at St. Thomas and ROBERT HINGLE are elaborated in the Plaquemines Observer (an early name of the Parish paper that becomes The Protector and finally the Gazette in more recent times) weffil into the 20th Century. Beginning in 1887, (the earliest edition available in our Parish Library) there is a running account of the activities of St. Thomas. ROBERT HINGLE appears as the driving force behind the musical activities of the religious community of the Point a la Hache area, St. Thomas in particular, and in the many secular musical activities as well. HINGLE was the organist and choir director at St. Thoman as well as the leader of the town's brass band, the Sweet Sixteen Brass Band. ROBERT HINGLE - A Native Son ROBERT HINGLE was born June 7, 1850, the son of PIERRE URSIN HINGLE, a founder of Plaquemines Parish, and ELizabeth DENNIS. His early boyhood was spent on a farm in the Parish. After the death of his father, at the age of seventeen, Robert attended Louisiana State University as a beneficiary cadet from Plaquemines Parish. After four years of diligent and arduous study he was graduated with high honors with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1871. Immediately after graduation he returned to his native home and for three years taught at a private school. He was offered a position as professor of English and Latin at the Franklin College in the town of Franklin, Louisiana, which he accepted. He reigned his position at Franklin to accept a similar position in Thibodeau, Louisiana. It is in Thibodeau that his musical activities come to light. Also, during this time at Thibodeau College, he studies law in the office of E. A. SULLIVAN, one of the ablest attorneys in the State, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State in 1882, when he removed to his native parish and opened a law office in Point a la Hache and successfully practiced his profession. He remained there the rest of his life. In 1883 he organized his first brass band in the parish, the Sweet Sixteen Brass Band. ROBERT HINGLE assumed control of the editorial tripod of the Plaquemines Observer, a stanch and fearless democrat paper and made his reputation in journalist, filling the position of editor of the Observer 8howing great ability for nearly seven years, remaining in that position until 1896, at which time he was elected judge of the 29th judicial District. In the manner of politics, judge Hingle was an influential factor and an ardent and uncompromising Democrat. He was foremost among the gallant men who caused the overthrow of the Republican Party in Plaquemines Parish and in the State. He filled many positions of honor and trust, among them, Treasurer of the Parish) President of the School Board, and up to his death, a member at large of the Parish Democratic Executive Committee, always possessing the full confidence and esteem of his people. In 1900 Hingle was reelected without opposition. He married at the age of 22 to Miss SOPHIE LEOPOLD, a sister of SIMON LEOPOLD, the distinguished member of the State Legislature from plaquemines Parish. From this union he was blessed with seven children: ROBERT EMMET, JAMES, MRS. H. 0. MARTIN, and MISSES ELLA, ALMA, LILY and SOPHIE. below: A time line, while difficult to document, is given Born 1850 to 1868 - in Pt. a la Hache 1868 to 1871 - Louisiana State University 1872 to 1875 - teacher in Pt. a la Hache 1875 to 1877 - teacher in Franklin, La. 1877 to 1882 - Teacher in Thibodeau 1882 to 1904 - lawyer, editor, musician in Pt. a la Hache, judge The Thibodeau Sentinal documents some of ROBERT HINGLE's activities while he was a teacher at Thibodeau College and his musical accomplishments while in Thibodeau. The first mention is in connection with the annual firemen's parade which was celebrated each March 4. In this parade ROBERT HINGLE, having trained a group of college students in music, enters them in the annual parade: "Fireman's Day Parade ... and a juvenile brass band under Professor Hingle of Thibodeau College."1 While at Thibodeau College his band was also very active in the activities of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Thibodeau. REVEREND C. M. MENARD, the parish priest, acknowledged services of the college band and a card of thanks appeared in the newspaper: "Thanks from Rev. C. M. Menard, priest at St. Joseph's Catholic Church to the College Band for their very entertaining musical selections which formed one of the main attractions of the occasion." (sic: a church affair) 2 While ROBERT HINGLE is most noted for his role in the politics of Plaquemines Parish, his activities in the cultural activities of the parish have become his monument to his immortality. It was in Thibodeau that he first showed a unique musical talent and interest, an interest he continued until his death even though he became an extremely busy man as Judge of the Parish. He remained active until his death, reinaining true to his first love, music. This musical ability begins to show in Thibodeau when in addition to being the college band director, he is given directorship of one of the leading brass bands of the State, the St. Joseph Silver Cornet Band of Thibodeau: "Professor Hingle has now charge of the St. Joseph as well as the College Band. The former (college) have recently received a set of new and improved instruments. "3 ROBERT HINGLE became involved in many community activities while in Thibodeau, a practice he was to continue when returning to Point a la Hache. When an institution needed music, ROBERT HINGLE was there to furnish it: "Entertainment . . . teachers and pupils of Guion Academy Free School - the music of the College Band of boys was good and reflected credit upon the skill as a teacher of Mr. Hingle who had them in charge."4 A letter of thanks for the music furnished appeared in the same issue of the Thibodeau Sentineal: "... also to the Thibodeau College Band and their kind teacher for the music which they have furnished and which has done so much to increase the enjoyment of all who here honored us with their attendance In the Fireman's Parade of 1880, ROBERT HINGLE has charge of both the College Band and the St. Joseph Band: "Fireman's Day Parde - 2nd Division - Thibodeau College Band; 3rd Division - St. Joseph Silver Cornet Band. The College Band of boys supplied the Home, Hook and Ladder and St. Joseph's Band the same for the Thibodeau #1. These bands all did remarkably, winning new honors all a long the line of the procession. "6 One of the principal activites for enjoyment during the last decades of the 19th Century was the excursion, either by boat or train. Each excursion always had a brass band along to furnish music for the occasion. One such excursion is mentioned, being accompanied by ROBERT HINGLE'S Band: "Excursion by train for Fireman - St. Joseph Brass Band accompanied the excursion and played several pieces in the park grounds which secured the admiration of the people who were delighted with the performance of that band."7 There are numerous examples of the activities of bands led by ROBERT HINGLE in other articles in parish papers which vill be documented in articles in the New Orleans Jazz Club's publication, the "Second Line" in the near future. St. Thomas, ROBERT RINGLE and the Elements of Plaquemines Parish During the last two decades of the 19th Century (1880-1904) in the duration of the pastorship of both REV. JULES BERTHOLIN and REV. FRED COLLE (both devout priests but lacking in administrative and church inventory consistency and both being of ill health), the motivation and energetic drive for the process and activity of the church was in the capable hands of ROBERT HINGLE. Muscial activity reached a zenith at St. Thomas around 1893 but was brought to a devastating halt on October 1, 1893, by the hurricane of Cheniere Carmindada (an island near Grand Isle, Louisiana). St. Thomas was levelled, PASTOR COLLE being pulled out of a destroyed rectory, injured but alive. Debris from the hurricane was found as far away as Delacroix Island. When the wind and rain had spent itself, only the floor of the edifice remained. In the middle of it was found the Sanctuary lamp, miraculously still burning.8 The third church now stands next to the Plaquemines Parish Board of Education building, on the East Side, only a little distance from the present ferry landing of Point a la Hache. The original site of the church, which was on the Mississippi River side of the present road, long ago has been swallowed by the mighty currents of the Mississippi River. The music at St. Thomas Church is mentioned in the Plaquemines Observer of April 7, 1888. To my knowledge this is one of the first such mentioned in the existing editions of the paper on microfilm. This early mention describes events after Easter Sunday Mass at St. Thomas. After the mess is completed, the choir- headed by the Sweet Sixteen Brass Band, proceeded to Father Bertholin's residence and "tendered him a serenade." The group was headed by ROBERT HINGLE. It has been supposed by jazz historians that instruments were not used in church services, especially Catholic Church services. In an interview, WILLIE PARKER (an early jazz pioneer from St. Sophie) addresses this question: "Catholic churches prohibited use of bands in church. Bands played for Baptists and "sinners" and Methodists and Santified Church. (sic: in Plaquemines Parish the majority of colored were Baptists, the whites and creoles, Catholic)9 St. Thomas Catholic Church did use instrumental music in the church services. The records of brass bands and jazz history is being rewritten due tQ the disclosure of St. Thomas's musical activities. The Sweet Sixteen Brass Band, and other brass bands, did play inside the church during religious services. Due to the size of the band and choir, it was discovered the choir loft was much too small for the combined band, choir and members of the congregation that were used to sitting in the pews in the choir loft. To accommodate the organ, choir and instrumental accompaniment, the choir loft was put off limits to everyone but the members of the band and choir. ROBERT HINGLE also reduced the size of the band to a smaller chamber group, organizing what he called the Sweet Sixteen Orchestra in August of 1888. Its instrumentation included: violin, clarinet, flute, cornet, two alto horns (brass) and a tuba. The first performance was for the Catholic ceremony of First Communion. Confirming the size difficulty was an item in the newspaper stating that the choir gallery was "only for the choir and the Sweet Sixteen Orchestra members."10 After every hurricane in which the church buildings might have incurred damage, there was a committee for its rebuilding. After the church was rebuilt, there was the necessity of securing a new organ. Thus was the case in the hurricane on October 1, 1888. In November of the same year, a new organ arrived and was installed. Another reason for the forming of the Sweet Sixteen Orchestra beside the small area of the choir loft was the reduction of the Sweet Sixteen Brass Band due to destruction of the hurricane and the change of personnel in the band some of the members moving to New Orleans and other towns such as Lockport, Louisiana. (This will be continued in the next issue.) Plaquemines Parish was and is an agricultural area. A new parish agricultural society was formed during the 1880's being called the Pioneer Agricultural Society. One of its members was Robert Hingle. The society sponsored a brass band, led by ROBERT HINGLE, called the Pioneer Orchestra. In reality, it was a brass band, not an orchestra. It contained no strings but only winds and was somewhat smaller than that Sweet Sixteen Brass Band and contained most of the members of that band that still were living in Point a la Hache. The Pioneer Agricultural Society had its own entertainment pavillion, frequently giving socials and dances in which the Pioneer Band played. They had get-togethers usually on Sunday evenings. The Pioneer Band, being a child of the earlier Sweet Sixteen Band, becomes the band that played at St.Thomas. CLEOPHAS HINGLE now shared the leadership of this band with ROBERT HINGLE. ROBERT HINGLE was beginning to become rather diversified in his many activities. Besides his attorney's practice, he was active in a grocery store and did a lot of music teaching of the brass bands in other area settlements in Plaquemines, plus he now was the editor of the town paper. He finally had to relinquish his position as church organist, although he still retained the conductorship of the choir, mostly at the special church holidays and celebrations. It was December of 1889 that ROBERT HINGLE relinquished the position as organist at St. Thomas to MRS. P. E. BARRY, a very capable musician and wife of JUDGE BARRY. An article in the newspaper speaks of the reorganization of the church choir at St. Thomas. One must remember that the population of Plaquemines Parish had the tendency to be very transit and there was always the problem of finding new members for most Catholic Church choirs, and ROBERT HINGLE, the great motivator and organizer, no longer was available in the same capacity of securing new members. In August of 1889, the Pioneer Band, taking a page from Robert HINGLE, serenaded the Pastor of St. Thomas: "After mass the Pioneer Orchestra accompanied by the members of the choir, serenaded the good father, who in return toasted the success and propriety of his hosts in bumpers of the elixir of life" 11 The Pioneer Orchestra was present in many of the church services at St. Thomas. The use of the Pioneer Orchestra in church servies is mentioned countless times in the newspaper. In the quote below, they play for mass: "Last Sunday, the congregation of St. Thomas Catholic Church were aggreable surprised by the Pioneer Orchestra, who attended mass in a body and rendered during the services, several beautiful selections. The ensemble and the exquisitness of the execution of this band elicited a great deal of praise from Father BERTHOLIN who was delighted with the unexpected visit of the boys. BATTMAN's grand mass was sung by the choir in a manner which reflects much credit upon this worthy Catholic society." 12 The above quote relates the first time the newly organized pioneer Orchestra played at a mass at St. Thomas. Their presence becomes a regular occurence, especially at high church holidays. Their presence at Sunday mass is continuously notated in the paper. One example: "The Pioneer Orchestra will play, at St. Thomas tomorrow (Sunday); March 'd'entre and La Sartie and will render an andante selected at the offertory." 13 The band not only played the regular band arrangements but played special arrangements of religious music for church services: "A church piece is being arranged for the Pioneer Orchestra to play at church." 14 On October of 1981 we again read of music at St. Thomas. A period of three months is passed without mention in the paper of St. Thomas. The only explanation is that this was harvest time. There had been mentioned in the paper) that during harvest time every one would help in the fiel4s. In the "Protector"'s issue of October 17, 1891, Mrs. Barry is playing organ for First Communion and is accompanying a violinist named Mr. CHAUSSIER. This man, CHAUSSIER 15, is mentioned in further articles as being the leader of a New Orleans String Band that plays at a number of dances around Plaquemines Parish. As was said earlier, most Catholic Churches have problems acquiring choir members. The paper contains an item in which Father COLLE appeals for new choir members.16 The choir attendance was rather static throughout the years at St. Thomas, going from a low to two members to a high of about 13 singers. Ironically, that day, after this appeal appeared in the paper, a devastating hurricane hits the parish, completely destroying St. Thomas Church. But, life goes on and a new St. Thomas was built and a new choir began rehearsals, practicing at Robert HINGLE's house every Thursday afternoon. The old standard duet mass, by Battman, which was used when the choir was low on members) was sung and a new mass was started in rehearsal. A list of choir members is given in the paper, appearing when either special holiday or a new choir is organized, a list of members is seen in 1893 and appears intermittently through 1904. Such is the case in the write-up of December 9, 1893, as the article describes the process of organizing a church choir at St. Thomas: "The St. Thomas Catholic Church Choir effected a regular permanent organization last Monday. There was a large attendance present and the following officers were elected to serve during the ensueing year: President - Mrs. P. E. BARRY, Vice-President - Mrs. J. VINET, Secretary - Mrs. Cleophas HINGLE, Treasurer - Hamilton MARTIN, Organist - Mrs. P. E. BARRY, Asst. Organist - Mrs. Edna HINCLE, Instructor - Robert HINGLE. "The following gentlemen were elected honorary members of the choir: Rev. Father COLLE, Judge A. E. LIVAUDAIS, P. E. BARRY, Messrs. Jos. COSSE, F. C. MEVERS, F. S. HINGLE, Anthony LAFRANCE, Jr., Dr. V. 0. SCHAYOT, Leonidas MARTIN, B. SAVOIE, Williams A. MEVERS, A. ANATIGUAE, Albert MARTIN, John B. HINGLE, Dr. N. M. HEBERT, Joseph SAVOIE, Gust. FAVRET, Jules SAVOIE, P. A. BRAVOLET, Jos. FONTENELLE and P. HINGLE. "A monthly fee of .25 cents payable on the first Thursday of every month is expected from each active member of the choir. This money will be applied to the purchase of music for the choir. Rehearsals will be held every Thursday afternoon at the residence of Mr. Robert HINGLE. The choir will give a banquet on Easter Sunday, at which all the members active and honorary will be invited to participate. "We give the names of the members of the choir: Mrs. P. E. BARRY, P. VINET, Cleophas HINGLE, Misses Edna, Stella and Alice HINGLE, Leon tine, Emma and Olivia COSSES, and Ophelia RAGAS, Messrs. Robert HINGLE, Hamilton MARTIN and Cleophas HINGLE."17 On June 16th of 1900 the choir is reorganized. This reorganizing was needed because of first, the weather with the loss of the organ and church in a hurricane; next, as old members leave, new ones join. Thus in 1900, the choir membership consists of: "Sopranos and altos: Mrs. Pierre VINET, Davis RAGAS, Theo. RAGAS, Misses Stella BARRY, Elvina DRAGON, Severine HINGLE and Josephine HINGLE. Tenors: Dr. J. F. BUQUOI, Walter HINGLE and R. Emmet HINGLE. Basses: Roger HINGLE and Leopold SONGY. organists: Miss Alma HINGLE. "Rehearsals began, last Monday. The choir will rehearse three times a week and will be prepared to sing for high mass, on first communion and confirmation day."18 The choir, still organized in 1901, sang with extra musical members - a duet sung by Miss Marceline HINGLE and Eddie BARRY: "At high mass last Sunday, Miss Marceline HINGLE and Mr. Eddie BARRY sang a beautiful duett, entitled 'The Holy City' accompanied by Miss Daisy HINGLE at the organ. Miss Marceline HINGLE has a beautiful contralto voice and Mr. Eddie BARRY has a fine baritone voice. The 'Protector' extends congratulations and hopes they will repeat the duo tomorrow. Miss Daisy HINGLE has made rapid progress on the organ and is a splendid accompaniment "19 At the Way of the Cross the same Sunday: "The singing was exceptionally fine and those participating were: Mrs. Pierre VINET, Mrs. Theophite RAGAS, Misses Alma LAFRANCE, Marceline HINGLE, Nellie ARROYO, Marceline MARTIN and Josephine HINGLE and Messrs. Roger and Walter HINGLE and Leopold SONGY."20 The above choir, relatively new in regard to stability in membership, singshigh mass on April7, 1901. The newspaper complimentsthe excellent musicrendered by the choir: "The 'Protector' desires to extend its congratulations to the new choir on its excellent renditicn of the whole of Battman's mass last Sunday at St. Thomas Catholic Church. For the first time in several years, a high mass was sung by our reverend pastor and we sincerely hope that occasionally if not every Sunday the large congregation of our local church will have the pleasure of hearing high mass. The choir did remarkably well and after mass the members received the congratulations of their numerous friends present. Much credit is due to Mrs. F. S. HINGLE for the organisation of the choir and to Mrs. Robert HINGLE who selected and presented to the choir, BATTMAN's Mass. Those who rendered the mass are: Mrs. Cleophas HINGLE, Misses Stella BARRY, Elvina DRAGON, Marceline and Josphine HINGLE, Dr. J. F. BUQUOI, Judge H. 0. MARTIN, Messrs. Ed. BARRY, Roger and Walter HINGLE. Organists: Alma and Daisy HINGLE. 21 In the newspaper of November 5, 1904, the names of choir members are again listed and an account is given of the activities the choir participates in on a given Sunday: "All Saints Day was appropriately celebrated at Point a la Hache. Services were held at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in the morning and in the afternoon; high mass at 10:00 and in the evening at 3:00 the benediction of the most blessed sacrament, which was followed by a procession. to the cemetery, where the graves and tombs were blessed and a most touching and eloquent surmon was delivered by Rev. F. COLLE . .. The beautiful wreaths, crowns, flowers and other floral offerings were laid on the resting place of the dead. "At high mass the choir which was composed of Misses Marceline and Josephine HINGLE, Theodosie COSSE, Edwige and Olympe PEREZ, rendered the Battman Mass in F in a most creditable manner. Miss Daisy HINGLE, the talented organist, presided at the organ and the church was filled to its utmost by the congregation."22 Over a year passes before we find another listing of the choir members in the newspaper. On December 3O, the following list of members is given: "The St. Thomas choir - composed of Misses Josephine HINGLE, Eudese DOBSON, Theodosie COSSE, Marceline HINGLE, Mrs. P. VINET, Messrs. Frank MEVERS, Jr., Albert ANDIGUAC with Miss Daisy HINGLE as organist, rendered Concone's Mass in C in a creditable manner on Christmas Day."23 In February of 1894, the choir sings high mass for First Communion and the Pioneer Orchestra - "discoursed appropriate selections during the service."24 While no longer organist, Robert HINGLE continued to publicize the choir and its activities. In one issue he did write a critique of an impromptu choir that was organized for Easter Sunday: "The celebration of Easter at St. Thomas Catholic Church was attended with solemn and imposing ceremonies. ... a number of young ladies and gentlemen having volunteered their services to sing on this occasion an impromptu choir was organized and a mass rehearsed which was rendered in a manner which reflects great credit on the participants. Miss Stella HINGLE has a sweet algo voice and sang BORDESE's '0 Salutaria' with ease and perfection. "We are happy to state that the efforts of the choir were appreciated by the vast congregation present and by Father BERTHOLIN who honored them with his congratulations on their success. Those singers were: Mrs. Cleophas HINGLE and Davis RAGAS, Misses Bertha DURABLE, Ophelia RAGAS, Louisiana MARTIN, Stella, Edna and Anna HINGLE, Messrs. Hamilton MARTIN, Cleophas and Roger HINGLE. "25 The Pioneer Band continued to play during church services in cooperation and in conjunction with the choir: "The sacrament of Confirmation at St. Thomas was celebrated with a high mass... sung by the choir and the Pioneer Orchestra will discourse appropriate selections during the service."26 Again having trouble sustaining a full compliment of members in the choir, Mrs. BARRY added the services of a violinist and a cornetist. They perform Faure' 5 beautiful composition "Les Ramaux", sung by Mrs. C. HINCLE. The Pioneer Band continues to play for church services. In the newspaper of May 12, 1894: "The Pioneer Band attended mass last Sunday at St. Thomas and discoursed several selections of sacred music. The band played admirably well and received the congratulations of a large number of the congregation."27 Along with participation in many church services, the Pioneer Orchestra played for special occasions at the church. One such occasion was the wedding of one of its members, Mr. Anthony LA FRANCE: "Mr. Anthony LA FRANCE, Jr. joins the ranks of Benedicts and will lead to the alter Miss Anna HINGLE. The Pioneer Orchestra, of which Mr. LA FRANCE has been a member from its organization will be present and discourse appropriate selections during the marriage ceremony."28 In September of 1894, a new choir is being organized by Mrs. BARRY. Mrs. BARRY remains as organist at St. Thomas until March of 1902, at which time her husband dies and she moves to New Orleans. It is not until April of 1895 that the choir is mentioned again. They sing the Concone Mass in Bb and again perform the FAURE hymn "Les Ramaux" with Mrs. H. 0. MARTIN as the guest substitute organist, accompanied by H. 0. MARTIN playing cornet and the continuously faithful and energetic Robert HINGLE, this time playing violin.29 Robert HINGLE also played all the brass instruments and is mentioned, of course, as an organist in the past at St. Thomas. Other churches of the parish are mentioned in the paper by its editor, Robert HINGLE, perhaps not only as news items but as an incentive to the choir of St. Thomas to continue working at their music, and, to encourage local singers to join the choir. One such mention appears on April 20, 1895: "Tropical Bend: Buras Church choir will perform the Concone Mass in F. Members - Anna BANNON, Pauline BULOT, Agnes BANNON, Mrs. C. DE ARMAS, Messrs. John BURAS, Allen CHALONS, Norbert BURAS, Peter LOMBARDO and Xavier BURAS."30 In November of 1895, we find mention of a new Organ being purchased for the church. It was to be delivered on December 7, having been secured from Weirlein Music Company in New Orleans. This organ was to last only until the end of September, 1898, when a cyclone hits Plaquemines Parish destroying the church and its furniture, including the organ. St. Thomas is rebuilt and mass continues to be celebrated without an organ. On December 25 (Christmas) the choir sings with Mrs. BARRY playing on an organ that was donated by Mrs. C. BROWN. In the preceding issue the paper contains material about the donation of the new organ and appeals to its patrons for new choir members.31 Robert HINGLE was elected Judicial Judge of St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parish, District 29, in 1896. This added responsibility curtails his direct activities with the music of the parish. The Pioneer Band, having been inactive, reorganizes and is now known as the Plaquemines Pride Brass Band. The band contains many of the same members of the older bands, with some new members. This band plays, like its predecessors, at St. Thomas Church, being mentioned in the paper on April 1, 1900. With the continuous problem of a permanent choir at St. Thomas, the paper addresses the problem: "An effort will be made to organize a choir of 25 young girls to sing at high mass, accompanied by a sextet of the band on Easter Sunday."32 Also in the same issue, the editor of the paper, Writes: "The band rendered instrumental selections at mass last Sunday which were a treat to all. The fact that a band is called upon to take the place of a choir should put to shame each and every one of our young ladies and gentlemen possessing vocal talent and we are sure the latter is promiscuously abundant here. Why not organize at once and thereby help to make attendance at mass more pleasant"33 On April 7, the band again plays at mass: "The brass band will play at high mass tomorrow, April 8th, 1900. During the distribution of the palms the band will render 'Les Ramaux' by FAURE . "34 On April 15th, the band, scheduled to again play at church does not appear due to the inclement weather. Still another item appears in the paper describing the musical activities on Easter Sunday: "If you wish to hear good music, both vocal and instrumental, attend high mass at the St. Thomas church tomorrow, Easter Sunday. Excellent vocal talent will render such sacred hymns as 'Ave Maria', 'Les Ramaux' ... while the band will be in attendance, its usual harmonious strains."35 The band continues to provide music for Sunday services, an item in the papers supports this fact: "The band again plays at church ... although there was no choir, music was however supplied by our local band, which played various sacred selections, beautifully "36 In June of 1900, on the 7th of the month, the choir is re-organized for the "upteenth" time. There are new choir members and a list is given. The choir is rehearsing three times a week with a new organist, Robert HINGLE's daughter, Alma HINGLE. The paper's write-up is as follows: "The new choir will be organized this afternoon. The members will be assigned their parts and will rehearse twice. a week. A very pretty mass, arranged for three voices (sic: voice parts) soprano, tenor and bass has been selected and nearly all the members have some knowledge of music, the mass will be mastered within a short period of time. The organization of a choir has been a crying necessity and is a step in the right direction which will meet with the approval and encouragement of the people of our town. Let us all do our best to foster the organization and wish it full success."37 There is an article in the paper stating that the choir will not be singing on July 15th, 1900, and that the band will play in place of the choir as the choir's instructor will be absent. This could mean either that the instructor was sick or out of town, but again the band plays within the structure of the Catholic Mass. On All Saints Day, November 3rd, 1900, the church celebrates the Holy Day with a procession which was formed at the church and, in procession, proceeds to the church cemetery: "The Plaquemines Pride Brass Band rendered the funeral march in excellent style"38 Another church, St. Cecilia Church in Jesuit Bend, organizes a choir in November of 1900 with Misses PEREZ, DEBUYS, FEAHENCY and Mrs. HOHNKE as organizers. There is also a choir in the Catholic Church in Buras. Plaquemines Parish, always in a state of transit, is finally becoming more permanent and more secure at the turn of the century. Congregations solidify and form choirs for churches with more estblished congregations. St. Thomas continues to flourish and with new, younger members, orders new music from FISCHER Bros. in New York City. The paper also describes the music being ordered while the new choir is in the process of organizing. "Last Sunday the congregation of St. Thomas Catholic Church enjoyed a musical treat at the hands of our worthy treasurer, Mr. F. S. HINGLE, assisted by his charming daughters Misses Daisy and Marceline, and Messrs. Walter HINGLE and Tillou FONTENELLE. Misses Marceline and Walter HINGLE rendere~ a duo in a manner which showed careful training and excellent preparation. Miss HINGLE has a pretty contralto voice and Walter's tenor was quite a surprise to all of us. They sing remarkably well and with a little practice would improve wonderfully. Treasurer Felix is a good violinist and last Sunday delighted his friends. We hope to hear them every Sunday at church. "Selections of sacred music for the St. Thomas church have been ordered from the firm of Fischer Bros. in New York. The new choir will not be organized until the music is received. Two masses, one for two voices in Bb, for feast days and one in unison for ordinary Sundays have been sent for. "A collection of sacred hymns and offertories has also been ordered. A complete collection of sacred music has been provided for, thereby supplying a long felt want. We feel assured that our young people who are endowed with vocal talent will unite with the promoters of the new choir to make the same a success. The members of the choir will honor themselves and reflect credit to our community. Later on, we will announce the time of the first meeting for the organization of the choir and we hope to see present those who can sing and make it a success Articles continue in the newspaper which continue to notate the progress of the organization of a new choir. The new music arrives and its arrival is mentioned: "The new choir will organize at the St. Thomas Catholic Church after mass. Those who have been requested to join are notified to be present. The --mass in unison has been received and rehearsals will begin next week."40 The choir does rehearse in preparation of the new mass and is given encouragement and recognition in the paper: "It was decided to rehearse on Wednesday at the residence of Mrs. Robert HINGLE and on Saturday at the church at 4:30 p.m. The new choir was organized last Sunday at the Presbytery3 Rev. COLLE presiding. "The first rehearsal of the new choir took place last Wednesday and the result was highly satisfactory and creditable to the members; who are determined to sing a new mass for Easter Sunday. "41 Continuing to perform and fulfill their sacred duty, the choir sings for the Way of the Cross on March 2nd, 1901. The paper of March 9th has an item about the new choir that is organizing at St. Thomas. The rehearsals are at Mrs. Robert HINGLE's residence. (No doubt Judge Robert HINGLE had a hand in trying to continue the tradition of choirs at St. Thomas.) On April 14th a high mass is sung, the paper stating that it was the first high mass at St. Thomas in several years. It is the BATTMAN Duet Mass that is sung.42 The BATTMAN Mass must have been a "fill in" mass as the next Sunday, April 21st, the choir is rehearsing the Bodese Mass in C Minor and was not quite ready to sing it in public performance. On June 1st, the paper mentions the choir was rehearsing at Judge Robert HINCLE' S residence and mentions the choir is rehearsing the BATTMAN Mass, the paper calling the choir the Point a Ia Hache Choir. While this choir is essentially the St. Thomas choir, it is rehearsing for one of the many annual church festivals. This particular festival occured in June of 1901: "Tomorrow (June 16, 1901) will end the series of jubilee processions at the St. Thomas Church and the event will be marked by a very impressive ceremony. The procession will be headed by the Plaquemines Pride Brass Band and sacred music will add to the earnestness of the prayers of those seeking the indulgence of the Holy Spirit."43 The activites have the stamp of Robert HINGLE, who continues, though in the background, to motivate and organize the churches musical activities, a process he will continue until his death in 1904. On March 1st, 1902, the paper mentions that the Way of the Cross is scheduled each week, supported by a small choir with Daisy HINGLE as organist. The choir, with new members, is mentioned rehearsing every day in the week and on April 6th, it sings MACAID's "Kyrie and Gloria" from the Mass in F Major and the "Sanctus and Agnus Dei" of the BATTMAN Mass, these two masses are written for only two voice parts. On July 6th, 1902, the choir sings for First Communion. The paper states that "this is the first attempt of the choir to sing in the absence of Judge HINGLE and they did so remarkably well that the Judge contemplates to relinquish the conductors baton which he had held for so long." This fact shows that while Robert HINGLE is a very busy man he is also a very religious one and never fully relinquishes his holy duty to the church and to his art, music. While he has diversified activities, these accumulating with the success he found in politics, his first love was always music and he never stops playing music, both in church and in the many musical activities of the community and in his private home, a house that is constantly filled either with musical rehearsals or musical parties, every home activity centering around music. His children are musical and take part in the musical activities of the church and the community. During this time the choir is very small and the BATTMAN Mass is about the only mass that a small choir could do, with musical integrity. On April 19th, 1902, only Miss Marceline HINGLE and Dr. J. F. BUOUOI are singing at church with Daisy HINGLE as organist. St. Thomas continued furnishing its congregation with special sacred musical performances when possible. During the final week of August and for the next few months, the congregation was furnished with music by Mr. Willie RAGAS: "Last Sunday, at the St. Thomas Catholic Church during high mass, Mr. Willie RAGAS rendered the violin, in a most creditable manner, the very beautiful musical composition entitled 'The Invesible' and was accompanied by Miss Daisy HINGLE on the organ. "Mr. Ragas, tomorrow during high mass will again render several beautiful selections and intends to play at our church every Sunday during his sojourn in our town, which will be for at least three months.44 As if by divine providence, while high mass was in progress, Robert HINGLE is called by divine order to his. final reward. It is June 18th, 1904, app. 10:15 a.m., about the time the choir normally sings the recessional hymn to end high mass at St. Thomd-s, not knowing they were singing their faithful comrade into his final chorus of life. The funeral of Robert HINGLE was the largest ever seen in plaquemines parish; for Robert HINGLE, the driving force behind music at St. Thomas and Plaquemines Parish, had played his final chorus on earth. But, life goes on and the duty of furnishing music for divine service did not cease. It would not be until November 5th, on All Saints Day that we see the next mention of a choir at St. Thomas. The choir sings the BATTMAN Mass in F Major again, the members consisting of Marceline and Josephine HINGLE, Theodore COSSE, Edwige and Olympe PEREZ and with Daisy HINGLE as organist. The choir is next mentioned on December 30th, 1905 in an article notating the choir's performance on Christmas Day, 1905: "The St. Thomas choir, composed of Miss Josephine HINGLE, Eudese BODSON, Theordosie COSSE, Marceline HINGLE, Mrs. P. VINET, Messrs. Frank MEVERS, Jr. and Albert ANDIGUAC, with Miss Daisy HINGLE as organist, rendered CONCONE's Mass in C in a creditable manner on Christmas Day."45 Interestingly, the musical activities of St. Thomas Catholic Church parallels the activities of other Catholic Churches in Louisiana. Both at St. Maurice Catholic Church of St. Bernard and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Thibodeau, there are brass bands furnishing music for the church. In Thibodeau the St. Joseph Silver Cornet Band is still active as it was when Robert HINGLE was its director. The band in St. Bernard Parish was called the St. Maurice Brass Band. The Catholic Churches of Louisiana gave the many brass bands the opportunity for performance in the many religious ceremonies and celebrations of the church year. These bands performed in the many festivals, fairs, holy days, and other times, including high mass providing live music whenever asked. CONCLUSION Footnotes: 1 Thibodeau Sentinel, May 10, 1879 2 Ibid 3 Ibid, September 20, 1879 4 Ibid, April 10, 1880 5 Ibid, April 1.0, 1880 6 Ibid, April 10, 1880 7 Ibid, August 28, 1880 8 St. Thomas History (Book) St. Thomas Church, Point a la Hache, La. 9 Interview, WILLIE PARKER, WILLIAM RANSOM HAGEN Jazz Archives, Tulane University, by RICHARD ALLEN 10 Plaquemines Protector, August 11, 1888 11 Thibodeau Sentinel, August 24, 1889 12 Ibid, 13 Ibid, April 5, 1890 14 Ibid, July 5, 1890 15 Ibid, October 17, 1891 16 Ibid, September 30, 1893 17 Ibid, December 9, 1893 18 Ibid, June 16, 1900 19 Ibid, March 16, 1901 20 Ibid, 21 Ibid, April 7 1901 22 Ibid, November 5, 1904 23 Ibid, December 30, 1905 24 Ibid, February 24, 1894 25 Ibid, April 8, 1983 26 Ibid, February 24, 1894 27 Ibid, May 12, 1894 28 Ibid, September 8, 1894 29 Ibid, April 20, 1895 30 Ibid, November 23, 1895 31 Ibid, December 24, 1898 32 Ibid, March 10, 1900 33 Ibid, 34 Ibid, April 7, 1900 35 Thibodeau Sentinel, April 14, 1900 36 Ibid, April 21, 1900 37 Ibid, June 16, 1900 38 Ibid, November 3, 1900 39 Ibid, February 16, 1901 40 Ibid, March 9, 1901 41 Ibid, March 16, 1901 42 Ibid, April 13, 1901 43 Ibid, June 15, 1901 44 Ibid, August 8, 1903 45 Ibid, December 30, 1905 1. DR. KARL W. KOENIG is one of the leading jazz historians today. His research on early jazz history includes articles on the place of Plaquemine Parish in jazz history. He is a contributing editor for the jazz publication "The Second Line" and has written a book on jazz entitled: "The Origins of Jazz." Dr. Koenig has produced radio and television programs on jazz. He can frequently be heard playing jazz at the New Orleans Jazz Club Jam Sessions at the Landmark Hotel. Dr. Koenig teaches music at Boothville-Venice High School in lover Plaquemines Parish. 2. For those interested, a photograph of Robert HINGLE is the microfilm copy of "The Protector" dated 25 April 1896 the Buras Library.