Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-04-03
MUSICAL MAGNETISM.
Prof. HOusel's System of Public
School instruction.
The Concert at the Rink Last Even
iug---A Chorus Of seven Hundred
Voices in Public school songs

more beautiful picture could not b
imagined, much less painted, than tina
which greeted the eye of all who entered
the rink last evening, on the occasion o
Prof G. r. Housel's first grand publ,
school concert. On a gradual elevation
in the west end of the building wer,
seated seven hundred bright-faced boyl
and girls ranging in age from seven tC
seventeen years. and embracing the
fourth to the ninth grades Of tae Rock
Island public schools. 1t was an impos,
ing sight; mass of sweet, innocent
faces, such as brings joy to the heart to
gaze upon.
The concert in which all these little
people TO. k part served double purpose.
1t evinccd to what a degree of perfection
Prof Housed in his original system of
public school vocal instruction, is capa>
bic of attaining, and it gave the patrons
and friends of our public schools an OPP
porlunlty to see, and to hear and TO Judge
| for themselves. 1t is hardly necessary
to comment to very great extent on
the merits of Prof. Housels system. 1t
speaks for itself. To say that he pos>
sesses II power over his classes that is
wonderful to a marked de cree but feebly
expresses it. A single movement of
the hand on his part has the effect of IA
magnetic influence over the entire chorus
under his direction. His discipline is
faultless; his mode of elementary instruc>
ton such as must challenge admiration
and the audience was not faultering in
manifesting its approval of Prof. Housers
system and its delight at the fruits of his
instruction.
The selections were all taken from dai
ly work in the Rock Island public
schools, and there was no discrimination
in the choice of voices in the chorus. The
first number was that enrapturing song
America" which was given with one
voice by the entire chorus. Then fol-
lowed with equally pleasing effect, 1.-THE
Seasons" by Fourth and Fifth grade
pupils; welcome Summer" by the
Eighth and Ninth grades, and finely
rendered solo, Rock Il Bye Baby by
Master Judson Blackburn, and round
piece" Never Mind It," Then number
of boys from the high school under Prof. |
Reuters tutorship, gave an exercise in |
the branch of calisthenics. which the |
ARGUS has frequently spoken of and ad-
vocated MS a most advantageous addition |
to our excellent public school courses. |
The boys went through series of simul-
tancOus movements which afforded much |
leight to the audience and won many
friends for the system. The Wishes"
With six solos by the Sixth, Seventh.
Eighth and Ninth grades, came next,
ollowed by ''sofaing time lesson"
~ the Fourth and Fifth grade pupils
md then the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and
Ninth grades sang joyfully, Il Love the
Merry Sunshine. The girls of the Sew
NTH grade sang sweetly, Come to the
Greenwood" and the full chorus closed
he first part with "The Golden Rule"
The girls of the Eight and Ninth grades
rave the RED, White and Blue" with
olo and full chorus; Master Judson
Blackburn captivated the audience with
mother solo 1.-THE Waterfall" and there
vas somewhat manifest desire to hear
i'm more, when the boys solo and full
horus number, "Children of the Union"
vas called. A "Sea Song" trio was rem
cred by Ninth grade girls; "round" {
Morning Bells" followed and then there
vas dumb bell exercise under Prof |
ieuter's direction, followed by THE Star {
paugled Banner" by the full chorus. I
he remaining numbers were Il "sofaing t
me lesson" by the Sixth, Seventh. e
Eighth and Ninth grades. 1--WE Love b
ne Sparkling Waters by the full chorus,
What Delight in Musics Power by a
he girls of the Eighth and Ninth s
rades and GOOD Night" by the chorus. n
The concert will be repeated tonight r
nd everybody should go. The proceeds e
re to be devoted to the payment of the p
Ugh school piano. The receipts of last I
vening's entertainment were 1895. p