Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-05-06
MUSIC AS A STUDY.

FOf the Ie1egF"Ft'
The introduction of Music as a study, and as a
means of relaxation from other pursuits, into the
Schools and Colleges of the Country is fact wor-
thy of notice, and in view of its influence upon the
Tastes and habits of the student it is not very
generally appreciated And
lst The nature of man prompts him to seek
relaxation in some form and as taste for cult
waiting tho passion for music, when implanted car
", is sure to grow and strengthen, and WILL by
the agreeable occupation of moments of leisure,
leave no place in the mind, or time in the hands
of a person thus educated in which to concoct or
to execute wicked designs, or to devote to vicious
and degrading sports. Bud habits and demorali-
zine rccrcations may easily be banished from the
coming generation, by proper attention to this and
kindred employments, at the season of youth,
when the bent of the mind is being formed, and
when sports and amuscments occupy full onc-hal'
of the life of the individual
and We should encourage by word and act
the child in its love of the Divine At as
means of future selfenjoyment, and i'll the acqui-
sition of tho faculty Of promoting enjoyment in
others Shakespeare knew the power of this spring
Of action this preventive of mischief when he said
that he "who hath music in his soul, Is INT tor
treason stratagem and spells, clearly expressing
what history confirms, that the absence of this
taste indicates low moral condition, and the pre-
dominance Of the savage oyoF the more humane
instincts of mankind.
3rl The attention bestowed by community
upon this subject is also an index to their measure
of progress in general cultivation and polite man
ncrs, and il is not difficult to tell the intellectual
gauge of a society by its standard of musical APP
probation
4th. Notwithstanding that a general cutiva-
ton of the art of music would tend to moral elc
walton, as well rs minister to the highest social en-
joymcnt, vet it is time that the idea that music Is
simply pastime, should be exploded and in no
better way can this be done, than by teaching the
elements of music, as You would those Of any 9TH
err science. 1t need only be said that the tcchnich
alitcs and fundamental principles of the science
are AS difficult of acquisition are those of any
other branch of learning and the reward of the
patient student in either case flows to him through
n similar channel.
These observations arc prompted by n visit TO
the Public School, District No. l of this city. If
the progress of the scholars in the theory or cl
CinCutarN DTanCn OF inc Is equal 10
talent in executing airs within the capability and
compass Of their voices then the people OF this CT
" and of the world may congratulate themselves
on thc results which ARE to follow The per-
formances of the scholars were good to time
and generally to tune in a few instances only,
were discordances perceived, and those only up
on intervals which tax the ear of the musical pro
fcent, and require care in their production by
those tolcraby vcrscd in such matters. As an
auxiliary in the work and as a sort of Upper De
partment,' the KeuOsha Musical Association"
may we'll be classcd. This Society, although a
distinct organization receives those persons which
have graduated in the elementary department of
sounds, and proceeds with the musical education
of its members by the best method in the world,
viz by individual, self application and improve
ment. Its aim is to combine the musical talent
ofthc city and increase its force and efficiency, to
elevate the standard of music, and excite must
cal taste that can be satisfied with nothing short
of the compositions of the best masters the world
has produced or produce. 1t invites all who
possess the necessary qualification to assist in sus
saining ii, and upon an equal footing, to partake
of the enjoyment it promises; and should it secure
the approval and encouragement of the communi-
ty, (aRd the knowledge of the past will not permit
doubt on this point it will prove no insignificant
addition to the moral forces Mt work silently hut
surely to reYolutionize the world 1t embraces
music in all its forms arbitrarily clasScd as Sa-
cred, or Secular. Vocal and Instrumental. and all
the minor varieties of which these general divi-
siops are susceptible. Sc tha: oil tastes have
here IA opportunity for qualification and the ad-
vantage of Musical, as we'll as mutual criticism
In no sure way can a community be happy and
socially prosperous, than by the permanent estabr
hshment of these means of cultivating the arts,
and in Systematically following out measure of
improvement which vindicates its beneicence at
every step Of its progress,
CRITIQUE.