The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-11-06
HoYT. g CO., Proprietor
40. E,r the. .A1sder,os Asteligsncer. "a.
SON County Singing Convention.
Ry JAMES G. DoUTHIT.

The SUBJECTED vocal music should claim the
careful and earnest attention of this Conyen-
,;cny which having met annually in Anderson
County since its organization for the purpose
of :ultivating and promoting, as far as practl-
cable. a more general interest in the love and
practice ia of sacred music. Singing being q
mostdelightful part.of devotional worship, too
much attention cannot be given to its culture
and importance, since it is by song and praise
that we assimilate ourselves nearer like the
angels than in any other form of worship
This we think testimony sufficient to excite an
ardent desireion the part Of all whe attend
these conventional meetings to unite cheerfully
in the accomplishment of this grand design,
knowing chat wherever there is union there IS
strength. 2possa.5 e. s''.'-7 '''." ..a,
A large per cent. of the musical talent in the
convention usually is lost for the want OF con-
cert and unanimity: We hope to see more
general interest manifested, especially on the
part of the singers, than hitherto The power
of good music wields an influence over emotion
and feeling that human language cannot de-
scribe. nor pen portray. Nothing binds US
nearer together, and makes us more peaceful,
loving and happy. Of all the instrumentalltles
of neace and love, none affect us more than the
sweet topess:of. . Well-trained and cultivated
voice; notwithstanding this, numbers are to
be found. whose voices have never received the
advantage of this musical training, among
which there,iis some of the best talent. @5
We consider the science of music an appro-
pirate study for common schools, and it should
be introduced wherever teachers are competent
to teach it. The cultivation of music should
be inferior to no other branch of school study.
It materially aids the pupils in acquiring some
very desirable particulars which no other
branch of school study does Asa nation and
people, much will have been accomplished
when music is introduced into common schools
and becomes branch of common education.
Our music for the young should be plain, and
arranged lin such style as Will Interest and
please the young. The round notes are too
difficult for the most of them; the time re-
ouired for children to learn them is toe long,
tbey become discouraged, and very many of
them never learn them at all. But II you VIII
Give then, the character notes, they will learn
them Quickly, and correctly. The reason IS,
that pitch of tone is the most difficult depart,
ment in the science to acquire, and at the same
time the nostcimportant to be learned. Not
withstanding there are other parts IN Inc
science of vast importance to the student, but
pitch I consider pre- eminent, and the only way
the student can arrive at relative pitch IN
round note music is by calculating the numerl-
cal distance between tones, and the intervals
insome places are very great, which makes TINS
mode Of learning them both difficult and irk'
some, Were there but one arrangement oil the
scale, the difficulty would be comparatively
small.
But each glstser ehromatically considered
may be,taken as a basis for; the scale, which
will give us quite a number in the constelia-
tion. BY the use, of character notes all may be
mastered as quickly as one in the round notes.
IfTthis beso Why not adopt the character notes
entirely. Because this new system, IKE al
other improvements of the age ia, which we
live. must have time to work its way. ihere
ara thousands Of human beings who have
never seen or heard, the seven character notes.
and I think we may safely say there are many
who' would gladly use them in preference to all
Others could they only get their consent TO lay
aside alittle selfish pride; and many authors no
doubt who have not adopted this system are
only waiting its popularity, and the troubling
of the waters little more, when they TOO Will
step In and bring forth their predictions, clad
in,the improved garmentof seven characters
AS teachers and leaders Of music we have
much to encourage us in advocating this system,
which is daily.gaining ground not only IN our
midst but far and wide we hear the glad news
of its triumph and lsuccess. Let us work
nightly for this improvement in the transla-
t;on tof round note heads to that Of character
and common sense. Hundreds of teachers
nov6p sheUnited States are laboring faithfully
for this improved system, and the fruit OF their
labors viii end in. a large reward. Hundreds
and thousand of children will learn to sing
and dpraise God correctly that never. could nor
wonld in the round note system Teachers and
leaders, il is as much our duty 10 push forward
anv improvements that may be made in music,
AZ Il iiss id the Improvements of any other
branch of learning. LetJus strive to be useful
in our calling by availing ourselves OF every
opportunity that will accelerate the advance
ment and Improvements Of music. Let us Keep
NO. Isee some behind simply for the want OF
perseverance.
In preparing this essay, have tried to place
before your minds what consider in part the
hest plan to be pursued in elevating the
standard of music; how far I may have sue
ceeded, time alone will tell. What l have
written has not been through any selfish