The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-05-25

| tAisat NAt9. t1ttSF SNNSidSIiHS IL. I6SlllntlSO
thereto by engaging a professor of music,
and The writer Of the article had the
pleasure of seeing the pupils of all the
schools Of that city engaged in the study
of music as science, and also singing
daily in school. Although almost a
stranger IN your beautiful town, as a
worker in the cause OF education, and
wishing for The welfare of the youth of
this place, would humbly submit the
article for publication. Yours very re-
spectfulIy. Mrs. S 3. BAIcH.
AS the practibility of obtaining mu-
steal education in our public schools is
often discussed, and having my atten-
ton drawn 10 this subject by my own
experience as teacher, and also US
patron of our schools, wish to be al
lowed, through the columns of your pa
per, to direct the attention of the patrons
of our public schools, and also that of
the school board, to the necessity of an
early and continued culture in this
branch of education, with NO apology
save that we feel the need of such pro
fessorship in our public schools.
We commence to instruct our chill
drnn in the art of reading at very ear
~, x and after receiving daily instruc-
ton for more than twelve or fifteen
years, we find among our youths very
few accomplished readers. Music being
a far more difficult science to acquire,
should it not be taught likewise daily
in school, thus making musical chaTac-
tiers as familiar To the pupil as those of
his own languages A scholar thus in
structed will, by due attention, have be-
come proficient in music. Our sys-
tenn of public instruction, our free
schools are the boosted pride of our re-
public for by it all classes are alike ben
Gifted, the poor as well as the rich. The
wealthier class of our community is able
to and does employ private music !
teachers, but the mass of our people are |
unable to do this, therefore our children |
should receive instruction in music in |
our public schools
Superintendent Comstock writes:
''Music is ranked among the liberal |
sciences, and q capacity to learn it is al |
most universal. There is, no doubt, the
same diversity in the abilities of indI-
viduals to acquire the knowledge of mu-
| sic that there is to acquire any other
branch of learning. All have not eq'Ial
| talents and aptitude to improve in any
department of education. The univer
| salty of the capacity of mankind to ac-
| quire a knowledge of the science, OF at
all events of the practice of music, is
| attested by the reports of numerous
schools in Germany and other coun-
ries :"
Says Prof Stowe: "All the teachers
with whom have conversed regarding
this subject replied that they had never
seen a child who was capable of being
taught to read and write who could not
be taught to sing we'll and draw neatly,
and that, too, without taking any time
which would at all interfere with, in
deed, which would not promote, pro-
gress in their studies. The intrOduc-
reference to it we are far behind many
parts OF Europe and the age"
Vocal music has been taught in the
schools of Germany ever since the time
of Luther. Said this great reformer:
"Music is fair gift from God, and nearly
allied TO divinity; next TO theology 1t is
to music that l give the highest place and
the greatest honor. Whose hath skill
in this art, the same is of a good kind,
fitted for all things" Further he add
ed: 1--WE must by all means maintain
music in schools. A school master
ought to have skill in music, otherwise
1 should not regard him."
Music should be taught TO the young.
III the earlier periods of life the vocal
organs are flexible, readily developed
and disciplined, thus their power to
perform and to sustain exercise is in
creased. Sin aging improves the voice,
augments its force aud extends its CON-
pass. Music eXcites sentiments of love,
courage or devotion. 1t inspires the
Imagination, refines the taste and rouses
the intellect to vigorous action. 1t con-
duces to cheerfuness and animation.
1t is also an agreeable relaxation from
the severer studies. Truly n person
must have bad heart on whom music
has not benign influence. a bard
distinguished for his analysis of the
human character, has said: THE man
that hath not music in his soul, nor is
not moved with concord of sweet
sounds, is fit for treason, stratagems and
spoils; the motions of his spirit are dull
as night and his affections dark as
Erebus. Let no such man be trusted"
When Professor Stowe was in Berlin,
he visited an establishment for the
reformation of youthful offenders. DIR.
Kopf, who had the care oft, took him to
a room in which were some tw enty boys
making clothes for the establishment
and singing at their work On retiring
the doctor remarked: Il always keep
these little rogues singing at their work,
for while the children sing the devil can
not come among them at all he can only
sit out doors there and grovl; but if
they stop singing, in the devil comes"
The Germans have a proveTb that
where music is not, the devil enters. AS
David took his harp when he would
cause the evil spirit to depart from Saul,
so the Germans employ il TO expel obdu-
racy from the hearts of the depraved.
! Singing in school is well adapted To re-
| lieve monotony and listlessness, ami 10
obviatc it.
| That music constitutes part Of the
public worship OF God, a part of it too,
In which all may engage, should oper-
ate strongly in favor of its composing |
branch of elementary instruction. II
is difficult to find persons who are capa-
BILE of reading music so as to sing. or /
lead in choirs except they are those who |
have been abroad for a musical educa- |
ton. Such persons are paid large sala- |
ries. This difficulty could be Obviated |
by musical culture in our schools. |
Which, we ask, would conduce most 10
the good of our children, the study Of
the higher branches, which are now
taught and but seldom used, or the study
and practice of music with its beneficial
results during their lifetime. We trust
the time will soon come when our teach
ers shall be fitted to impart instruction
in this branch of science in our excellent
schools. Mrs. s. B. BALcH.
/
Dime Entertainment
The Lyceum of the Normal will give
) an entertainment in the assembly room
of that institution ON Friday evening, to