The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-01
FoR THE CLARION.
A Plea for Vocal Music.

Vocal music is the foundation OF
which is built the finest and most usefu
| structures of this beautiful art, and i
! an acknowledged help to all that apper
tains to the acquiring of a literary
course of education. Music is an imi
tative art, and the success of pupils de
lpends largely on their beginning early in
| life.
Place child in a family who speak
in a foreign tongue, and the child will
soon acquire all of the intonations OF
speech. As it grows older, its exercises
Of imitation will be less perfect; and
when old enough to become fixed in
habit, no wise could be made strong to
tteist out the brogue acquired in youth.
The apparatus used in the cultivation
of the human voice, is most economi-
cal instrument, as it lasts lifetime and
strengthens by use, and is wonderful
auxiliary to the health of both body and
mind, and its proper exercise is pre-
ventive of pulmonary ailments.
How unfortunate it is, that vocal
music is not more generally utilized for
its economical, as well as for its health
full advantages, aside from its unmistak
able help to every branch of the literary
course.
For example, take from the ranks two
children, all things being equal physi-
cally and mentally, give to one the ad-
ditional study of music, and that extra
study viii ensure the highest attain
ment in all, is acknowledged by the
most enlightened teachers.
This study also embraces mathematics
in its variety of numbers, and all the
light and shade of expression contained
in elocution, and has the happy adyan-
tage of disposing of these varieties with
out fatigueing mind or body, but ex-
pands both in a helpful way.
Train the child as early, and as solid |
ly as in any branch of education, and
every department of music will take a
higher stand, and our worshiping assem-
blies will have good congregational sing
ing that will be satisfactory, healthful
and enjoyable, and save vast sums of
money now expended for instrumental
which alone can elevate the
taste but little, and slowly at best; for
it is too expensive, and as rule, pupils
begin too late to be successful, unless
aided by knowledge of vocal music to
begin with.
The advantages of vocal over instru-
music pecuniarily, may be sum-
med up as follows, viz: An hour lesson
to one instrumental pupil could be illus
trated on blackboard to hundred in
more effective manner, in the same
time.
The difference in cost-all things con-
be a hundred fold and
more.
The superficial and unfeeling Sunday |
school singing and that of our female
schools and colleges as a rule, are doing
fearful work in destroying voices by the
single direction to singl sing!i sing
oud!l! Where, by careful training, their
expressive rendering of poetry and mel
1dy, with well attuned voices should be a
joy. I
The boys and men are not addicted to
the weakness of cultivating the voice
as business, cultivating the aceed, and
other weeds does not admit of it) so,
ike Topsy ''they have growed so;" but
there is hope for the children and
youths of our land, if vocal music is
.aught carefully and thoroughly in all
schools, equally with other branches OF
education. 1t is to be hoped that many
will ready pens and interested hearts
With elaborate the facts contained in this
plea for vocal music" ID.