The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-04-24
FOR n
EDITORS % MAI
Should Vocal Music be Taught in
Our Public Schools.


in discussing this subject we are led tn
s%nquire, first, what is the primary object
ri an educatione What are the euuiya-
Tents that are to he returned Tor the time
and money spent in acquiring it? The
::nSwer TO this query,as it appears to me,
j. that it may the more thoroughly pre-
pare its recipients for the active duties
and responsibilities OF life: the better to
prepare them to enjoy the bountiful
blessings of nature, as well As to show
how to avoid many of the evils and dan
gers which Turk in almost every moment
ofour existence. The different sciences
might here be taken up and discussed,
ndtheir peculiara adaptation to strengthen
some ia, ulty of the mind pointed out.
without which we might he rendered
less happy and much less prepared to
mrct the stern realities of every day life.
The powers of the intellect are usually
cla>sed under four general heads: lst,
the preventative I'd. representative: Id,
reflective; 18th, intuitive. The first is
our power of perception by the senses.
The second the power of representing
what has been perceived by the senses.
This may be actual, as by memory, or
ideal. rs by imagination. Third, the
power OF drawing conclusions. and de
'lGcing reasons for the same; or synthe-
sis and analysis Fourth. that power by
which original conceptions arc formed.
These powers of the intellect should all
be educated, and no one power should
receive special attention Ia the n%e~lert
81 the others. ia my opinion there is no
science that strengthens the intuitive
power of the mind more than music.
Music strengthens and develops truth,
the love of the beautiful and of right.
These faculties alone, neglected. would
render man at least di>reputable and uli-
sociable. The human voice is the most
wonderful thing in the universe. At will
1t speaks JOY, sorrow, pain, fear, anger,
scorn, contempt, and all of the passions
10 which humanity is heir. 1t also, il
properly trained, gives forth the mos.
rayishing strains of melody which often
soften the most m%alevolent feelings,
.radicateS hatred and i~ealousies, and
lifts the conceptions of the mind to more
noble and sublime thoughts and aspira-
fions. The sweet melody of the voice
Apoths man in his most wild and reckless
moods, drives away melancholy and
gloomy forebodings, and queils the most
turbulent and vindictive passions. The
music of the voice, when properly trained
and educated. is far beyond that of any
instrument, and its power for good or
evil is beyond comparison. Vocal music
is undoubtedly the basis Of e~locution.
When the mind is excited by any pas
sion the voice indicates it bv its different
intnnations. and without previous thought
Of the individual. But for the voice to
express the different passions without
the excitement of the passion is termed
%':locution. All of the passions are and
may he delineated by song. and the sue
cessful singer may carry away an audi
''nce into ecstacics by the perfect acting
III passion and characters. II, then, the
melody OF the voice in song has such a
powerful influence. should il not receive
close and strict training and develop
ment? | believe the time is fast alp
preaching when vocal music will be one
nf the requisite studies in our common
schools, and teachers will he obliged BY
law TO teach it in schools as other
branches are now taught. and to pass an
examination us to fitness to teach this
branch. III. G. !.