The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-03-27

The following is handed to-us for publication in
the CIeaeent, with the accompanying remark !;
The author is Mr. Wm W. Bradbury, a praed-
cal teacher Of music, and withal a gentleman Of
taste and learning. He has spent the last two
years in Germany, for the parposesof collecting
music and also 10 observe she lweskirig of the
German system Of teaching music IN sehooIs'I !,
Education in vocal music-iIas in Germany, been
hitherto considered subject OF such advantage 70
every class, that it has been employed of the
principal branches of popular educaton.by the
govefnKientss Children generally sehter tie public
school al the agscf eight and coHtiHne in il until
they are fourteen or fifteen years ef,ages No child
can be removed from one school 70 another by its
parents, without mourning aheayy penalty unless
a-rhange OF dwelling renders ruch removal una
workable. The sehooI-house being foony and COM
rnodious, and qualified teachers in all the depart
ments OF education being provided no other reason
Is taken sufficient for the removal of the child
Hence arse many and very great advantages,
which will yey readily suggest themselves 70 the.
principal, and most obvious Of these advantages Is
the opportunity afforded the teacher 10 learn the
disposition, talent and mental tsmperamenf IL his
scholar. his iss as should think the foundation
stone Of good and thorough edacaaop, whetherit
Music would seem to have been made . branch
OF school education in Germany for three paramount
reasons;s l. hsinhuence as means Of discipline
< Its atractiyeDess as mere relaxation or anpse-
ment 9. Its ultimate advantages TO the puph,
both in his social and religious position. It's con-
sidered of greatimportance in all those heads and
in the bestschools which have seen, viz: those Of
Dresden and Leipzig in Saxony, and Bonn and
Zurich in Switzerland the general course Of the
teacher has been to apply every lesson in muscSto
one or the other Of those branches-that is to saw
the teacher gives his particular attention at one Pc
nod of the year to instruct in music reading and
the elementary portion of music at another season
to singing for relaxation, and rehearsal and az
another to practice in church musie.f Otherwise,
and as is The general custom, heNcombines the
three departments together giving each lesson its
proportional share, viz: practice in choral singing
and church music, instFuctonn notation and family
singing for recreation, cheerful and lively juvenile
songs, By this arrangement variety Is afforded
to the pupils, which hinders the instruction from
becoming uFesoHae. 5s
AT the age Of nine or ten years. the pupifssBegin
TO study note singing, having previously, sung
schiehy byFote. This has its advantages, hntl the
is sufficiently cultivated, the scale being at first
presented NOT by sight but by sound, to- the pupil
The teacher sings his subject slowly and distinctly
until all his pupils get some idea Of its construction
and OF the relation OF Its Sounds one to the other.
The teacher, after explaining the formation Of the
scale, its intervals, etc. writes it on the black
board, or directs their attention TO it In the book
pointing out them particularly the situation
Of thesemtones They are then told that the notes
IepftSeut bOuuub tn6y nave 1uStSQn anu tndl
each sound Is named by q letter taken from the
alphabet. Although somewhat lengthy, this is a
very thorough method The black -board, however,
only used for Illustration, the pupils singing al
most entirely from the books. The frequent intro
duetion Of new and interesting music, other than
dry and uneonnected exercise, improves the more
advanced class. In the best schools, also, much
time is spent in practcing the. articulation Of the
yowels for the purpose Of obtaining sound and
good delivery i.-.
one Of the pleasantest features Of all this that
thepupils areiot wearied by too close study; or
if little fatigued they know that recTeatng will
follow and relieve thems With.instructien vaiiety
and entertainment are MINGLED and halfan-hour 5
social singing rewards them for their perseverance
u tas BRqrf rfd s thsis exercises On one
faces laughing appreciation when the teacher FfIsi
lesson al close elementary study, said, Nov lei
us sing something lively How natural is i for
children to love that music best which most like
their own natures, free, light and joyous The lit
| tie ml-stream that has been damned up to acquire
strength to drive the wheel lis once again set free
and goes leapipgs dancing, singing, and rejoicing
in its freedom onits sparkling way. In like man
useful yet not dull, ehoralpractice, and elementary
confinement, to the merry songs of The lafk,p to
the song oft fathers birthday To the singers
| song.P they sing the songs Of the season the
4 SUN, the stars, of the beautiful world, and its
blessed giver God /" with theeyer dear and wei
l COulG song ol NuIeIlanu G9hCn are the udlly
occupations of the schcol-room /; and would you
know how they prize their school you have only e
| stop in'and hear them singing merrily. n.
As government, supports and enforces the the
rough system of musical education, there is little tc
marvel at, that all can, and do sing, and love ths
| employment. There is, then no wonder, that good
/ music is always acceptable to the German, ant
that ii, in scores of instances takes the place o
I.demoralizing amusements. q ..-tt
However, with ourselves it is different We
have like England, neglected the subject in our
early education A large proportion of our adult
population cannot sing, and thousands, when il is
too late mourn their loss Could OUR school com
mttees trustees and parents be induced to set their
hands to the matter if they would have it intro
| duced into the schools as branch of study on
sound and permanent basis; the amount Of good
which would result from it would be well nigh in
calculable. AT sllevents its revivfying influence
would be felt in their homes and social circles by
j the next generation, and in the public worship el
the sanctuary, children would rise up and call
\ us blessed" "
will, if my yreaders should wish it, in a future
article, give the outline of plan to iHipart in
struction in the elements of voealmusic, and learn
ing to sing by note adapted more especially to thoss
| classes Of adults in which little time can be SCI
aside for the purpose of study. shall also speal
OF the effects Of the universal education OF musca
taste in Germany on social life, and ON the services
of the church. taking the opportunity 10 make some
1 further suggestions on the probable advantage tC
be obtained from its Introduction into the schools o
bur own country. {.,..g