SINGERS OF WESTERN
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    The Western Presbyterian Church, of this city, which recently celebrated its semi-centennial, has, during this period, had a long line of distinguished organists and singers. The first of the former of whom there is any record was Dr. Robert Coltman, an excellent man and musician, who subsequently went to China and became physician to Li Hung Chang. Dr. Coltman was succeeded by Mrs. Kate Wilson. Both of these players had but a cabinet organ, but it was a good one with a pedal attachment.
    Subsequently a two-manual pipe organ was installed in the gallery at the rear of the church, and Mr. Edward Townsend became the organist. He was succeeded in a short time by Mr. W. H. H. Smith, who also became choir leader, and served in that capacity for sixteen years, giving excellent services to the church. He now has no connection with the choir, but is the senior elder of the church.
    After Mr. Smith's resignation a number of well-known organists followed, among them being Dr. E. S. Kimball, the vocal teacher; Mr. James Caulfield, one of the five brothers who have gained fame as organists in different parts of the country; Prof. Charles Elliott, one of the best musicians of the city a few years ago, and who has since entered the field of journalism, and Miss Mary M. Dodge one of the most charming woman musicians and accompanists.

    Miss Dodge played in the Western Presbyterian Church for many years, and during that time an interesting romance was growing, which ended in 1893 in her marriage to the pastor, Rev. Theodore S. Wynkoop, prominent in society as well as in the ministry. After their marriage they went to India as missionaries, and are still there, having made one or two visits home. One of the elements of congeniality in this union is their mutual taste and talent for music. Mr. Wynkoop is a brilliant player himself, and is well cultivated in music. He was a leading spirit in many musical affairs, and helped and encouraged it in his congregation to a large degree. Mr. Wynkoop's pastorate extended over a considerable period, and he was much regretted when he took his departure with his bride for the new fields of labor. Miss Dodge was a prominent musician in Georgetown, her former home, and Washington, where she was frequently in demand for concerts and private musicales.
    Mr. Harry G. Kimball, a pupil of the late Jarvis Butler and later of Dr. Bischoff, followed Mrs. Wynkoop, and is now serving his twelfth year as organist in this church. During these years of changes and improvements, there was a chorus choir formed of the members of the church who were musically inclined.
    During the '60's there may be found among the names of the singers Mr. E. K. Wilson, tenor; Mr. Charles Calvert, basso; Mr. W. H. H. Smith, tenor; Miss Kate Wilson, contralto; Miss Emma Stuger, soprano; Mrs. W. H. H. Smith, soprano, and Miss Alice Moore, soprano. Later on, during the period of Mr. W. H. H. Smith's direction, there were in the choir Miss Jane B. Turton, soprano; Miss Adelia Harry, soprano; Miss Lizzie Fearson, now Mrs. F. S. Sutton, soprano; Miss Annie Fearson, contralto; Mr. W. H. Fearson, basso; Mr. Will Harkness, tenor; Miss Mamie Nourse, now Mrs. O. H. Muncaster, soprano; Mr. Charles J. Weizel, basso; Miss Josie Moore, now Mrs. Ohrendorff; Miss Mary Fearson, soprano, and Mr. H. C. Barclay, basso.
    About the year 1880 Mr. Robert G. Sutton became the director and retained that position as long as the church had a chorus choir, which was until some time during the year 1895. It was during his regime that Miss Dodge was organist. Besides the singers already mentioned, there were in his choir Miss May E. Smith, Miss Annie S. Harkness, Miss Emma Willner, Miss Blanche Cramer, Miss Carrie Cook, now Mrs. C. A. Brandenburg, sopranos; Miss Bertha Armstrong, now Mrs. McNamee, Miss Lena Richardson, Miss Mamie Rodler, now Mrs. Palmer, Miss Lilly Armour, now Mrs. Foster, and Mrs. Lucretia Jackson, contraltos, and Mr. Charles Raub, basso.

    In 1895 a change was made from a chorus choir to a quartet, and in the list of members of the quartet choir for the succeeding eight or nine years were Miss Mabel E. Claflin, now Mrs. M. D. Lindsay; Miss Mae Adele Levers, a well-known church and concert singer in local circles; Miss Nina McEwen, soprano soloist in the choir of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and daughter of a former prominent church and concert singer, Mrs. Betty McEwen, now Mrs. Pickering Dodge; Miss Mary Kimball, sopranos; Miss Brandenburg, and Miss Newton, contraltos; Mr. W. Spencer Armstrong, Mr. John Rieman, and Mr. Amos Ferris, tenors, and Mr. R. G. Sutton, basso, all of whom did good service.
    During the past year or more, the church has relied entirely upon congregational singing, with Mr. R. G. Sutton as precentor and occasional soloist. A male quartet formed of members of the church is frequently heard at the church services and gives great satisfaction. It is composed of Mr. Harry G. Kimball, first tenor; Mr. W. Armstrong, second tenor; Mr. R. G. Sutton, first bass, and Mr. Joseph Butterworth, second bass. Mr. Kimball occupies the unique position of organist as well as first tenor, which goes to show his musical versatility. The Western Presbyterian Church is remarkable for the long terms of service of many of its members, both past and present. While the organist and first tenor of the quartet is serving his twelfth year in that position, Mr. Sutton, first bass, and precentor is serving his twenty-fifth year as a prominent factor in the music of the church.

Source:

Unknown, "Singers of Western," Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Saturday, 3 June, 1905, p. SP4.