St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-01-01
sManHNsBURY VT, Tat1sn l.

| the rudiments of music were taught, or
simply how to sing; if the former, he
was in favor of it.
P. D. Blodgett said the rudiments
| were taught, and if the taxpayers
would only visit the schools when they
had music teacher they would see
that the children were taught effective
ly.. He was followed by d. A. Clifford
and Prof. Henry Fairbanks, both of
whom favored the measure.
Mrs. Elisha May, member of the
school committee, could not sing her
self, but wanted her three children to
learn and they all we're anxious to do
so.
Rev. III. w. Jones wanted singing
| taught in the public schools for its
| physical benefits. Twenty thousand
people die in New England annually
of pulmonary diseases. This work of
singing is especially valuable in
Strengthening the lungs. Singing in
the public schools does not come in as
an additional study. 1t just helps to
make the whole school better the
heart better, the soul better. 1t is like
instruction in good manners. In no
other way can the crank and file" get
any start in musical education.
The speaker gave his experience as
school committee in Massachusetts
where singing was introduced. 1t was
an unqualified success.
| II. G.. Bates came in to the meeting
to learn what he cOnld. He was not
wholly satisfied about the ACCESSIBILITY
of singing being taught in the schools !;
felt as though too many ornamental
branches were being introduced, and
would include drawing with singing.
He thought musicians, like poets, were
| born, not made.
| DR.. Billiard also came in for infor-
nation. On diligent enquiry he found
that the older scholars in the schools
do not want singing taught. He was
in favor of singing in the schools as the
teachers could teach it 4; but to hire a
teacher, especially for that purpose, he
doubted if it was money well spent.
There was a desire expressed by
some to hear how the teachers regard
ed the matter of singing in the schools.
ElmOre Ide answered for his daughter,
one of the teachers, who is decidedly
in favor of it. He also accounted for
the fact that the older scholars in the
schools did not want singing taught
because they were not taught singing
when small and therefore did not take
to it readily when older. 1t was so in
his family-the older children did not
want singing, but the younger ones
did want it very much.
l.. Soper asked if it was true that
the last class that entered the academy
from the high school averaged from 30
to 30 per cent below former classes,
and if so, was the teaching of singing
the cause of it or was it the skating
rink
In reply to this call, G.. Z. Putney
answered that it was true that the class
referred to averaged much below the
standard of former classes, but that
this average was reduced by a few
scholars, much less than half the class,
being very low. He was sure, howev-
er, that this was not because the poor
scholars had given undue attention to
singing in the schools. He did not
say what he considered the cause, as it
was not relevant to the matter under
consideration. He had always regret
ted that his father did not give him
the opportunity and encourage him to
learn to sing, and he determined that
his children should not have cause for
similar regrets.
The discussion was continued until a
late hour, being participated i'll by
Charles West, Mrs. III. C.. Ide, Mrs.
Elisha May, Dr. Perkins, K. F. Brown,
Rev. K. T. Sanford, and others, all OF
whom favored the project. When the
vote was taken it was found that a
large number were opposed who made
no opposition in the meeting except by
their vote.
The result was a disappointment to
a large majority of the prudential com
mittee, the teachers and the parents
who have children to educate. 1t does
not seem likely, with the arguments
and people in favor of it, that the
teaching of singing can long be exelud-
ed from the public schools. 1t is a
step backward an act not often done
in progressive town like ST. Johns