New-York daily tribune., 1845-02-06
From the Philadelphia North American
M-STC IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

,.,;o-, ot :he First School DiSuic' VI cum
-.I..,,;, bv Committee appointed TO look INTO
=, nroo-;etv of Introducing Vocal Music into the
p,bi;c Schools OF this city. We learn that the
.nbect was referred to the Board OF Control with
resolution expressing the opinion OF the Board
of Directors. ,ha, Vocal Music should form part
OF public instruction.
The great variety OF considerations which
messed upon the Committee, when entering INTO
an examination Of the subject, led them to con-
slider !, advisable to yepor: simply such facts as
appear 10 them pertinent to the issue. The re-
s,l, of their enquiries, directed on such princ-
nle. falls within two heads:
Is, The influence OF Vocal Music on the dis
cinIine and culture of schools.
"a rs influence on tine health and tempera-
ment OF scholars.
The influence OF Vecal .lIusic on the Disei-
cip!iae and Culture Of Schools
The committee. in pursuing this branch OF the
s,hec, have been much assisted by the reports,
first Of 4 Committee OF Education, appointed by
tho prvv Council of Great Britain, published
few vears since, and secondly. OF the Boston
Academy OF Music, published in 1872 The INST
report was the result OF large and laborlons IN
vestica,io,l. by some of the most eminent men
connected with the British Government, OF the
nronriery of making use oil music, as the means
ot social rs well rs moral discipline. The COM
mi,;ee. 4, the head OF which was Lord Wharn-
rlitfe and Sir Robert Peel, after starting that IN
every civilized country except Great Britain vo-
cal music was one OF The chetsublects OF mstruc-
tion. supported by arguments OF great force, The
conclusion 10 which they had come, OF lntroduc-
ina into the nationa! schools under their charge
The second report was published by the boston
Academy of Music, three years after vocal music
had been introduced into the Boston schools
The committee cannot but regret that their limits
prevent their noticing, any length, the valuable
practical information which was produced oy Inc
two investigations which have been mentioned.
In the second OF them seueS OF facts were
brought 10 light OF great importance 10 inc present
enquiry The masters OF the several Boston
schools had been invited 10 express on the subject
those views which three years experience mad
given The written answers OF twenty-ninc oi
them-thc whole number 1t is belleved-are
given, and they are unanimous IN stating the ex-
lremely favorable influence OF singing, as con-
Quoted by Lowell Mason, on the schools under
their charge.
liz stated tnat It's teliueHCy, dS plo'Su ~
wears experience. was TO '>increase the number OF
pupils in the schools and secure more constant
attendance !" that it gave the children Il strong
bond of attachment TO the school, that II was
attended with an increase of harmony i'll the
government and discipline of the schools that it
exerts "a happy and useful influence upon
schools y that ofa sciences it appears to be the
most susceptible of general atainments :" and that
-. lro,, itc info
science. it sheds such cheerlulness over the dry
details of the school, gives renewed vigor 10 the
before indoleni perception spreads splr, OF
union and kindly feeling over the pettlshness OF
the school boy, susains by its perfect relation OF
parts TO the whole that correct discipline much
to be desired in a school, and in short, III ais It's
operations and results, conduces TO the well
being and moral advancement OF the pupil, that
It's introduction as one of the common branches
of education, is considered an auxiliary OF vast
influence 10 the teacher
Such being the testimony OF the teachers OF
the Boston schools, as given in their own Ian
guage, the Committee felt that great portion OF
the labor which would otherwise have accrued TO
them, was removed and that a collection of evil
dcnce was placed in their hands which was en-
titled 10 us much weight as any thing they could
themselves bring together They obtained, also,
certificate, signed by lorty-onc clergymen Of
Boston, embracing the most distinguished III that
city, expressing their highest confidence i'll sing
ing, scientifically taught, method OF moral
sausion, apd suggesting TO use their own
words, "to their brethern in the ministry, that
they encourage by public addresses or otherwise,
they may deem proper, the cultivation OF Inu-
sic, not only in common schools, among the youth
of our country" but also in whatever other sphere
might be open.
The committee have also received from one OF
the most capable and successful teachers in New
York, letter in which he states that in the large
and important school over which he has charge,
corporal punishment is almost entirely disused,
since the Introduction OF vocal music, that the
scholars learn their lessons better and more read-
ly, and that TO It's influence, also, is attributed Il
great and striking Improvement both in the dis
cipline OF the school, and the dispositions of the
scholars.
The following notes, also, were received by
the Committee, III answer 10 inquiries on their
part:
PHILADELPHIA. Dec s. 1874.
DEAR SR,--I have the honor 10 acknowledge
the receipt of your letter in behalf Of the Com
mittec OF Directors of the lst school district to
inquire in regard to the results Of instruction in
music in the public schools. Numerous engage-
ments which press upon me, must prevent such a
reply as the very tiauerng request for my opinion
in reference to the matter committed TO you de-
serves The subject is one in which feel a deep
interest, and in regard to which my inquiries have
been minute
The conviction to which have been brought,
after close examination of the subject, is that
instructionl in Vocal Music should be given in
Public Schools as physical exercise, and as a
means OF moral culture. 1t can be shown by rea-
soning the subject that il is important in both
these relations, and in the latter is powerful aid
in promoting good dicipine. The practical re-
suit in countries where musical instruction has
been generally impaired 10 the population for
series oi years agrees with the foregoing conclu-
sion. The circumstances Of our own population
are not generally like those OF the population in
the countries 10 which refer, but there is moth
ing in these differences prevent the application
OF the observed facts to our schools, after
vocal music shall have formed part of the ordi-
nary instruction for series of years-at leas,
such l. mt conyicfon Too nurh caro- c,ppo,