Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-26

they might learn to use their vocal organs, to
became cid enough. to let them join choral
society, where, for two hours once week they
could assist In singing good music; and, above
Ing good music OF every kind. This gentleman
knew nothing OF music, but thought The advice
sounded like common sense"
II we have arrived at that point where 1t Is
CONSIDERED necessary to give music a place fn
the commOn.SchOOl education, it Is time that
something like organized work should be done
nation OF singing societies would reach the
people, and the knowledge which the children
are supposed to gain In the schools would be
sufficient for participation In such societies.
SO far as tt singers themselves are concerned
every body who has ever sung fn a chorus
knows that nothing so awakens an interest In
music as helping to makeit- The sympathles of
hundreds are enlisted through their personal
relations with the singers, and gradually a
correct taste Is formed and developed. II the
proper means be put In use, and those who are
willing TO do something for music VIII organ
lie for work with purpose In tt. such Is the
power OF music that the growth Will be steady
until the general state is one of worth and dig
nifty. Ia European countries, while the highest
mark attain ed by the advanced class is no
higher than here, the love for aud understand
ing Of music Is more widely dlfrused. rue
Philharmonic concerts do hot appeal to tbe
general public; they are for this advanced class,
aud are Well supported. But this class does
not grow In numbers as rapidly AZ IL oughJ.
The steps by which the people can be led 10 20
the plane of these concerts are lacking. TAey
were once partly supplied by the Central Z ark
garden concerts. which were managed In way
that gave no of1ense to the social IDEAS OF the
people, and hence had their support It Is OF
great importance at present to give the people
the right kind OF food. Their taste has been
aWakened-and they are willing to be led. The
to any person OF common intellect. The fnteITf-
gence is not appealed TO- but the pupil is treated
ke eho ab ana S,a often t on remains unsteady
The value OF q visit TO Europe at the proper
time, Is, or course, great for those studying
music; but pupils should not be sent there for
technical instruction, but for the knowledge OF
other schools and methodS--in short, for the
experience. A great many singers are sent to
italy, and what results have We? Ii they de-
vote themselves to vocalization, and really
arm to vocalZe-and many do not-they come
back without a repertory OF practical value
they display their requirements in some show
all their attention, and for which there Is no
demand. Many singers are excluded from op-
portunltieS OF appearing In good concerts, be
cause they have no pieces In Keeping with the
character OF the programs. Why send them so
lar TO acquire that which is OF no use to them?
what waste OF money, and, mere serious STILL
What dreadful ruin OF moral character often
results! No teacher In foreign country can
rightly understand how to prepare pupils for
practical work here. Though the taste for
singing was awakened by Italian OPERA and
though the italian method of using the voice
commendS itself to Us, the tdlcated American
is not satisfied with the italian repertory and
soon outgrows IL. am satisfied that we shall
never have standard opera, which Will take
mold or the people, until we educate our own
singers for the stage, and choose our repertory
from the best Italian. French and German
works.
We want home education and thorough home
education, of kind suited to the needs and
demands or cur people, and calculated to pro-
mote the new lie which we hope Is opening
teachers and other professionals. Those who
present themselves to guide the people must
have thoroughly studied music not daDbled in
II; we need some provision for the talent
which Is developing every day-Te need in9ti-
tuliohS, Well endowed, Which will not Do
Obliged to adopt mere commercial stand ard
for want of the means OF support. We need the
Influences coming naturally from such instI-
tuI1ons. We need them, not only to give in.
structton to pupils but to keep up high
standard OF excellence. We need them for our
time to time TO rub Off the rust Of teaching ana
refresh themselves by contact with those
VINO 1--we ln musical atmosphere The greatest
enemy TO fight Is mediocrlty, and an insttru
ton OF standing Is the only sure defense apalns.
II. Such an institution would afford an oppor-
tunlty for public or semi public performances,
ny wlich AGILITY would DE tested and experience
gained. 1t would also give us-what we have
not nova suitable place for the perform anca
OF lne WO, KS OF young composers. A concertof
society IKE The Philharmonic is not the proper
place Tor experimental music.
Ihefe are many ways In which such an in.
s'ltutlOn would be OF national advantage. r.
would not only develop our native talent a1d
give US a true 81 andard of excaIance hut r.
would also give fresh Impetus to the mechanio
cai pIanch OF the art, wherein thts country
aheaoy occupies an envlable position. 1t is
generally acknowledge -. iiiaAe lle p9at
PLACES. Our organs are good, and our GRASS aud
reed Instruments are OF superior quality. But
the most noteworthy fact OF all is that we are
making the best vtOltn5. Some OF the II st
liv hg Vfoiiplsts claim that the ylollns made by
GCotge Genunder are worthy To rank WITH
hH n NJ a fnI4,
only sge TO prove thelf great excellence. Nc.
Gemulder, VINO has shown himself q masier
Ia this most difficult art. says thai We have an
extraordinary variety Of woods suitable for IN
strument-makfng, aud that his experience.
which be has dearly bought by indefatiga Die
LABOR since lSiI, shows our woods to be In 70
way Inferior TO the best used By the old Ital n
makers. We have, furthermore, an aound.3t
supp'y, whereas IN Europe there is a or 1t
scarcity. The rough tone OF the violins
OF Gtrman manufacture Is due largely
the Inferior Quality OF the wood. A sIrik ag
ders work Is furnished by the following
authentic anecd0te: At the Vienna Exhibited
theIe was collection OF the best specimens IT
violin making. 1t included not only the
famous Instruments OF the italian makers. bit
those OF modern workmanship. Mr. Gemunder
sent remarkable VIOLIN made by him after
the pattern of Joseph Guarnerius. The judges,
to pronounce upon the merits of the various
Instruments, refused to admit this particular
one for competition, declaring that the con-
petitor was tying to deceive them with gen
u1ne old instrument in an unusually good state
OF preservation.
1t viii be seen, therefore, that we have In
this country the possibilities OF great musical
future. We have the natural taste OF the peg
pie for music, their strong desire to have only
the best, and their readiness to recognize VIII 1t
Is the best when 1t Is presented to Them We
have exceptional natural resources for the
making Of musical Instruments. Nature has
done her part Of the work generously: &c re-
mains for us to do ours.
Thomas Carlyle.
[Punch1
smut fast the door, Let not our vulgar din
Nex the long rest of patriarchal age:
But one step more eternal peace to win
Ens.ands Philosopher old Chelsea's Sage,
How they will greet hint when he nears the bome