Morning journal and courier., 1890-03-04

Teachers or Music.
 It seems probable that the effort to estab- fish e Connecticut branch of the Music Teachers' National association will result in the formation of an active society of consid- erable membership. It is practical sort of scheme for the improvement of music tesoh- CTS, and 90 of considerable interest to many thousands of pupils, and in @ general way to all who understand that genuine cultivation is worth anything.
 For the benefit of those who are not famil- lar with 1t the project may be thus outlined: A society is to be formed, open to all who teach music in Connecticut, with no restric- tion as to qualification. It is enough to be engaged in the work. The annual fee is only one dollar. A convention will be held each summer, lasting three or four days, at which there will be essays, discussions and musical performances, both by mem- bers of the society and by eminent artists from outside the state. It will supply for the time 1t lasts thorough musical ably lacking in the places from which the teachers will chiefly como. To them, at least, this advantage ought to be apparent. Even few days of that will be worth much more than the small annual fee. Then the concerts are not merely Q great attraction but Q series of lessons, and in addition to this will be the lectures, with or without illustra. tions. and the opportunity to hear or take part in discussion. Another thing, quite as important, is embraced in the scheme. Any member may send to the secretary any ques. ton in musical theory or practice, and 1t will be forwarded to some member who is particularly qualified to answer 1t. He will make the answer, which will then be sent back to the secretary and forwarded to the inquirer. For all this there Is no charge. except tho postage stamps necessary to cover the transmission of the documents through the mails. There seem to be plenty of in- ducemsnts for all music teachers to join.
 AS to the general benefit, it seems to be ss plain as that to individual teachers. It must be remembered that very large part of the teachers arc not thoroughly qualified. Very often those who are least At are most thor oughly unconscious of their deficiencies. They have had little opportunity to hear the higher music or to understand how much general training properly belongs to their speciality. They teach the piano, for in- stance, because they have become able to get their fingers over the keyboard with a certain dexterity, but are all at sea as to technique, do not know the proper solution of mechanical difficulties. are vague as to touch, misty as to the use of pedals, ignor- ant of musical literature and utterly unac- quainted with harmony. A stream cannot Ilso uiBueT tnhu ltb IOunthlu, auu tnolt pupils suffer accordingly.
 But many of these teachers have sufficient musical endowment to gain surprisingly in 6 short time in suitable surroundings. If they have framed questions in their own minds they seize tho solution when it is presented A better style comes from their own work their minds open, their horizon enlarges, re- spect for music as music grows with the per. ception of what 1t is. The benefit of all thil goes over largely to their pupils; their worl Is more valuable and more effective.
 Every session of such society as is pro posed will have its effect in every part o Connecticut. Incidentally it will help towardl
 burying out of sight the foolish notion tha music Is c mere ear-tickling amusement Multitudes of people are unable to realiz,
 that genius in music is at least as high ani | serious thing as genius in literature. They speak of the great composers, but they dt not realize that Beethoven and Shskespear' belong to the same little group of the great est men of the world. They feel that tn, greatest musician is on a plane far belov that of the great masters of literature or ora tory or statesmanship.
 Indirectly, and in the fashion dread suggested this association of teachers vii help change this, and dignify their callinl ct the same time that 1t adds to genuine cul ture.