The Litchfield County post. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1826-1829, 1827-08-02
FOR THE COUNTY POST.
MIR. SMITH

FOR THE COUNTY POST.
MIR. SMIrH-
In continuation of the subject Of Church Music, l
would remark, that learners should go the sing
ing school expecting to learn their lesson merely by
singing it there, but rather to exhibit to their
teachers what they have been learning when by them
seves-they should consider their singing as recita
ton; and though much of tmay properly be done in
concert yet the design of their singing should be to
enable the teachers correct the and improve
the style of their pupilsto render them not only
rate and scientific, but polished and refned-to cause
them to sing with expression, taste andjudgment;-in
short, to make them as singers what wish to make
pupils as readers-perform with ease for themselves
and satisfaction to audience. But owing to the Pc
cuiar of things in regard to this subject those
persons who attend singing school, attend with the
idea of amusement rather than improvement, and
though the first would be increased threefod by
king the last their principal design; yet, too often
hear singers complain if their teacher is faithful and
does his duty, that he is too pointed, too PARTICULAR
that he singles them out before the school, and per-
haps tells them individually of their faults; and this in
their opinion is encroachment upon their dignity
which calls loudly for their dissatisfaction and resent
ment. Now sir in the name of WONDER for what do
they attend the school, unless to be taught by the
teacher? lift is really for amusement, and that alone,
such should be informed that they perverting
schoolwhich might be greatly useful least athing
finsignfcance that they are abusing and insulting a.
like the teacher and the patrons ofthe school, and in
stead of having reason to complain of the teacher for
his faithfuness they giving him every reason to
consider them useless in respect his school, and
to treat them accordingly believe inteaching other
sciences and arts, doubts but it is necessary
that the teacher be particular and pointed and though
much may be accomplished by lecturing the whole in
aclass, yet also necessary question and explain
and think the experience of all teachers will oblige
them to agree with in saying that after all thatcan
be done by these methods, still many important ideas
will be lost upon individuals unless pointed to them
particularly in such manner that they cannot
cape their notice and observation. And why do we
question the proprety, nay, the absolute necessity of
such course in teaching music Why do we suppose
that art of which perhaps OF all others we know
least be learned by careless and Indifferent at
tention; such an attention would most decided
ly rcprobate if we bestowed upon any other art
or science, with which we acquainted! Is it not
that very ignorance of the inject which makes act
wildly Is it not because have never discovered
any ofthe beauties of the art, that know not how
where to look for them in their perfection know
very well sir, that almost every person feels fully COM
petent to erect for himself his own standard of perec
ton and exceence but would he, if he better under
stood the subject? We willingly yield to medical men
their Judgment the science fmedicnc; to lawyers
law and to grammarans and rhetoricans, the
formation and arrangement of our language; wedo not
attempt to dispute with them to what is most proper
or improper, elegant or ineegant; do pot pretend
to erect our standard Of taste excelence-and why7
is it not because we sufficiently acquainted with
these subjects be sensible that not prepared
10 decide concerning them?
here, then, we are reasonable enough TO suppose
that persons who have given their whole attention to
these subjecs,must be better qualified for judging cor
recty thas ourselves. But do act thus reasonably
in regard to the Here say, there
is no dispuung tastes, and every must and will
know what most agreeable or dsagreeable to him
self But is there then 10 such thing correctness
or ncorrccness in point of tastel If the barbarous
yelling OF the natives of Owyhee is more consonant to
their own ears than the most refined music Of the civil
lzed world is it because is in reality better for
themselves? or is only because they have been IA
njliar with the former and have never heard the lat
Ter? But sir, l am sensible am approaching ground
on which to travel to advantage will require both en-
ergy and caution. sensible that in attempting to
erect standard for style in the performance ofchureh
music which can be useful it is necessary with plain
ness and precision point out Some Of the more prom
nent faults in the common and popular pero' pances
in this section of our county; and also, possible 70
offer remedy in such manner shall ns: discour-
age any Who are concerned from applying it sincerely
sndefectuaIlS