New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-03-30

building of the country, and more
especially of our State which stands in
such great need Of railroads to develop
and bring forth her resources, for the
enriching of her people and the settle
ment spd occupation Of her lands BY an
industrious and thrifty population.
VOCAL nUsro n PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
At the last meeting of.the Board of City
School Directors . committee was ap-
pointed to take into consideration and
report upon the subject Of introducing
instruction in vocal music as part of the
system Of education in our public schools.
Few people, - think. yill dsmur to
this movement, should it, on examina-
ton, be found consistent with the means
ct the disposal Of the beard Of directors.
For We do not suppose that the futile
system Of some years ago Of teaching
pupils to sing few childish melodies by
ear will Be revived. but that the art of
reading music viii Be taught which, ct
any rate, i just - easily acquired - any
other reading.
One error has existed in regard TO pub
lie schools, an error descended from q
previous genszation, but which we are
pleased to know Is fast growing obsolete.
Formerly public schools were viewed in
some sort - charitable institutions, Or
gained more especially, if not wholly,
for the benefit of the poorer classes of So
ciety. This being the case, it seemed .
consequent doctrine that the benefciaries
of public schools needed nothing but the
severely useful in such education as might
fall to their lot, and that for them orna-
mental attainment Of any kind was alto
gether out Of place. True, this idea never
had the Same influence in New Orleans
Is elsewhere for here the public
school system is comparatively new,
and was inaugirated under such auspices
that the well-to-do and the comparatively
wealthy avail themselves freely of the pub
lice schools for the education of their
children. Besides, large portion OF the
community has at last perceived that the
acquisition Of ornamental knowledge not
within the scope of the absolutely neces-
sary has yet the most beneficial effect Of
ahording to its possessors means ofrecrea-
ton for leisure hours, that may be a
potent antidote in after years to the temp
tations Of dissipation and of vice. If this
be so, it must follow that even the poorest
among us have right that may not be
gainsaid to those attainments which
have heretofore been considered the ex-
elusive prerogative Of those in more pros
porous circumstances. /
There is another idea in connection
with the subject which also formerly
found universal acceptance, but which is
likewise becoming deservedly obsolete.
It is the notion in regard to music, that
but small proportion of the masses are
gifted with ''ear;" that is, such an appre-
citation of melodious sounds as might JUS
tify them in attempting the acquisition of
musical knowledge; that all but this
favored few were so utterly unqualified
that it would be folly to attempt its at
tainment.
In regard to this error, nothing is
hazarded in saying that were children
taught vocal music as they are taught
reading, it would be found that those who
have no faculty for music would bear the
same relation to those who possess it as
the deaf and dumb bear to those who
hear and speak. No one expects to rear
these children into musical prodigies-
into Handles, Mozarts or Memberships,
any more than we expect the mass of those
who learn reading and writing to become
Goldsmiths, Macaulays or Irvings. The
purpose will be answered when the chill
dren attain such proficiency as will give
one more resource against improper or
immoral recreation. =
No argument against the proposed
measure can be urged on the score of
time, for sufficient amount of instruc-
ton and practice can be attained by
devoting twenty minutes of every day to
this branch of instruction; and this
would be no hindrance, even were the
time extended, for, acting as refreshing
recreation, the pupils would return to
other studies with renewed ardor and all
the more success.
The expense need not be great. It
would be were it contemplated to add a
professor of music to every school, or
even allot one professor to several schools.
But nothing of this kind, we are informed,
is contemplated. An ability to teach
the children vocal music should as soon
- practicable be made . qualification
necessary for every teacher employed:
and until that time shall come compe-
tent professor of vocalism can be engaged
to teach the teachers. It will be no long
time, with the right man under right SUI
pervision, and with system Of instruc-.
don simpifed, clear, direct and unincum-
bered BY haze Of useless technicalities,
b1foee every school win poasesu, among
$50 now enWged in The work Of tsacA-
in&, instxuctou amply competent for the