The Portland daily press., 1883-04-12
Scbool Co,nr,;t+ea

PRESENT, His Honor Mayor Deering, MessIs.
Holden, Files, Merrill, Fox, Bradley and
Briggs
Mr.. Merrill read communication from Rev.
DIR, Hill in reference to the abolition of music
in the public schools. The communication was
as follows:
PORTLAND, April II, 1888.
| Col ChaS. B. Merrill.
My Dear Sir,-I have Just learned that the
school committee are seriously contemplating
the Punishment of music from the course OF in
| struction in our public schools. hope IL Will
not be considered impertinent in me to beg you
| to consider twice before you assent TO such
step. Ii Mr.. Hazel is not doing what he
| should do, correct his methods, II he Is intrac-
| table, inccrigible or inefficient dismiss him
and employ a better man, but do not dismiss
| the art of music from the schools.
| 1t is not like Latin, Greek and Trigonome-
| try, study which only small percentage of
the children derive benefit from. 1t is part
| of the common education of all. | speak now
| of the art, of singing from printed notes,
in company with others, keeping time and tune
with them. The written examinations in the
| lingo OF the art seem Ito me (iust like written
examinations on the definitions and rules OF
arithmetic and of English grammar) worse
| than useless. l was always opposed to having
them. But they were ordered and appointed
| BY the committee, and can be discontinued by
the committee without disseminating the prac-
| 10 all. By actual observation l know that
| nine-tenths of the children can learn and do
| learn to read music decentlY we'll, and sing in
| time and tune with others; only provided that
| the instruction is begun down in the primary
school, and Is under competent supervision Of
| good singing teacher visiting the school once
fortnight or so. That is, as large proportion
learn to read music in the school, as learn to
read and write English, or to cypher.
The value of this learning has been recog-
nlzsd By all authorities ON education from the
earliest times down - .is 1lsssasi. ny own
observation OF the schools of this city both be-
fore and since was on the school committee
confirm me in the views which / express in
the enclosed report; that is TO say, am salts
he'd that in our schools here | have seen that
the children have learned everything else bet
ter, for the recreation of singing that their in
tellectual tone has been improved by III; that
the government of schools has been easier and
more pleasant, and that Mr.. Hazel'S supervis-
lou has kept the exercise up TO its proper guam
tity and quality. All that 1t needs is that the
written examinations be discontinued and that
the teachers be made to understand that good
smooth, gentle, harmonious singing at sight is
what is required; and that the committee will
not examine nor permit the teachers TO ex
anime by verbal or written questions any FUR
Their than as may be absolutely necessary in
teaching the children TO sing At sight Sing
ing is what is wanted, and not talking and
writing about singing; and think Mr.. Hazel
is competent to teach singing. II l am mis-
taken about that, hope the committee may
dismiss him. and get competent man IN his
place; but not dismiss music from the course
of study; and thereby put Portland back, seven
years and more, by dropping one OF the fnnda-
mentals. Nothing else can take the place of
singing; either as foundation for chorus sing
ing, and preparation for the life long enjoy
ment of church chamber and concert music; or
as an intellectual drill on the element of time
and the need of precision and harmony CT con-
certed action; it lies at the very root OF social
and political order.
Again, l beg pardon If 1 am too free in thus
arguing in behalf of this department of in
strnction. But feel that have q peculiar
right to judge wisely. My native ear was
poor. l had no musical education OF any
amount until l was 81 years old; and, there
lore, can judge with an adults unbiased
Judgment of the value of what have learned
OF music since coming OF age; and my own
daily consciousness of the benefits received by
this late study, enforces my sense of the great
loss sustained in having no education earlier
want to give more than received; TO bring
the tens of thousands educated in the Portland
schools much earlier than was brought, to
the enjoyment OF the great advantages which
L daily find from the requirement, tardy
though IT was, of some knowledge of music,
and ability to sing at sight.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
THOMAS HILL.
It was voted to place the communication Of
DR.. Hill on file.
The report Of the committee On estimates
was called for.
Mr. Fox, chairman of the committee, said
the committee had been so busy on rules and
orders for the past six nights they had not had
an opportunity to get together on the estimate
committee.
Mr.. Bradley moved to have the report pre-
sented a week hence-the 18th.
81
regular monthly meeting, but withdrew bis
amendment and Mr.. Bradley motion was car
RED
DR.. Files spoke Of the crowded state of the
Casco street primary school, and Mr. Bradley
WAS authorized to fit up a room or rooms in the
Park street school house to accommodate the
requisite number of pupils from the School
street and Casco street schools, the School
street house also being overcrowded.
A report was received from the city commit
tee on public buildings that the committee
does not deem it advisable to finish off two
rooms in the third story Of the Smaller school
honse, and think it advisable to change the
urinals in the Monument street school house as
soon as possible. The report was referred to
the committee on estimates.
4uc " fcpOHt Al ACActoASo " VIC
High School stated they were not ready and
asked for further time, which was granted.
Col. Merrill said no report had been made of
an estimate for the High School, and he moved
the usual amount be included in the estimates.
1t was explained that as the committee on
estimates had not reported, and Mr.. Fox show
ed satisfactorily that the committee had not
had an opportunity to consult with the com-
mittee on instruction and discipline in the
High School, in references to the matter
thes establishment of salaries went over UNI
til the report Of the committee on estimates.
Col. Merrill moved the transfer of Miss Cram
from the Practice School to the Vaughan street
school and that Miss Elder be appointed to the
Practice School in Miss Grams place, and it
was 50 voted.
Adjourned.