The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-01-04
For the Voice Of Freedom,

ing from CORES ondent of the Vernon!
Chronicle, upon the qualification olteach-
ers Of Sacred Music, and sincerely hope
for the good of this community you will
give 1t place in your paper | have no
comments 10 make upon the article, it
speaks for itself l only ask Choirs,
Churches and those interested in sacred
Music 10 read and reflect.
Brandon, Dec. 20, lS43.
Qualifications OF Teachers Of Sacred
hAusics
MesSrS. Editors IL have read the sew
eral articles which have recently appeared
in yoar paper in relation TO sacred music,
with much interest. Your correspond
ents have not hesilated 10 express lheir
disaPprobaion Of anything deemed by
lhem worthy OF it III regard to the oper,
atoms Of those whose business it is to
promote improvement in the heavenly art
All this Is well. II is not Uy setting
forth the fair side cf the picture only, that
we exhibit The truth, nor is it by dwelling
on that alone, that we Improve. Those
who are Siacereiy anxious for the eIeva-
ton of the standard Of sacred music, wall
not scruple 10 look at it as it nov is
Indeed, they must do so, liz order 10 know
wherein to improve. Even if they are
derojimg themselves 20 The good work, if
actuatcd by proper motives, they will re-
ceive with gratitude any worthy sugges-
lions from others, although they may bear
hard upon themselves.
regard the present standard Of mu-
sica attainment as quite too low. Mu-
steal Instruction IS 100 limited, and the
importance Of the subject demands an
enure change in the manner in which it
is impaired. Arrangements ought to be
entered into, by every community, 10 have
This scrnce impaired TO every child capa,
bic Of receiving it, that the knowledge of
it may grow with his growth,and strength,
en- with his strength. But | shall not
stop now 10 depelop my views al Length
upon all the points alluded to- My de-
sign in writing this article is, TO call the
attention of the readers of the Chronicle
to the qualifications Of teachers of music.
1t will BE- all 10 vain 20 COMPLAIN Of the
present standard Of musical educaton,-
1t will be useless for music conventions TO
pass resolutions upon the importance OF
clevaling that standard among our church.
es, unless something is done to elevate
the standard of muSic0I instruction. The
people will no: be likely TO go far in
advance Of their teachers. The defcen-
cies of teachers is the "rool OF all evil ;"
in this matter, verify believe.
There are exceptions, | am glad to
know but as general thing. less intel
Iectual culture is required Of them than
Of instructors in any other science. Mu
sic has generally seened to be regarded
as one of the mechanic arts; and no
more education has been considered ne
cessary to fit one for teaching it, than 10
qualify one for being cobbler or tinker.
II young man gets little ahead Of the
members of his choir, and is not very well
pleased with ordinary manual labor, and
perhaps spends month or two at Boston,
he is forthwith dubbed Professor Of Ma
SIC, when perhaps in mental culture he is
far behind his old school mates. He
learns to read musical notes, and 10 meas
ure time and little more, which alter
all are not much more difficult than to
drive a peg we'll, or TO mend an old tea
pot. He learns what he does, as a me.
chanic. If be has good natural taste,
even with few requirements, he may do
some good. He may teach others TO read
music, and perhaps 10 beat time but after
all, does he teach music? DO his schol-
ars make music yes; if there is any
thing like music in this performance, it is
made.
Music must come from a deeper place
than the lips or The throat 1t mus come
from the heart, and it should be the great
object Of the teacher to draw it forth and
give it appropriate expression.
Teachers and scholars may assemble
together, and parrot.like, learn to initiate
certain sounds, but without half the music