The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-27
MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS.
THE NEW ADDITION TO THE PUB
LILO SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

Prof Smiths Plan of Instruction-The
Teachers Taught First and They
Teach the Scholarship New Study
Popular SO Far AS it Has Been
Tried.
A new departure has been made In the
public schools of Savannah-one that
will meet with general favor as well as be-
ing of great advantage to the scholars. It
is the teaching Of vocal music in all the
Glasses, from the oldest down to the young
est scholar.
Such system has been In use for years
in the public schools of other cities, but it
has never been tried in Savannah, and the
school authorities are but keeping up with
the progress oceducation in establishing the
new curriculum. The department is under
the supervision Of Mr.. Willard N. Smith, an
experienced and well known teacher of vo-
cal music. Mr.. Smith primarily teaches
the teachers and for this purpose
he meets them at O normal class once
week. He then maps out
the work for them to do during the coming
week. He also makes daily visits to as
many class rooms as possible, observing
their lessons and assisting the teachers and
scholars.
A POPULAR PLAN.
Each teacher devotes ten minutes a
day to music instruction, and so far it has
worked satisfactorily. The teachers have en-
tered into the work with great enthusiasm,
and the scholars seem to enter into the
spirit of the exercises and show the great
est interest and delight in the work.
Mr. Smith uses the Mason system in
teaching, which is acknowledged by oom~
| petent musicians to be the best as we'll as
easiest understood of any system extant. As
| far as possible the lessons are stripped OF
the dry routine and are made 30 attractive
and interesting as TO keep the attention of
the smallest boy or girl. While thoroughly
| teaching the practical side of vocal music
the aesthetics of the art are not lost sight of.
1t has not fully been determined whether
the teachers will hold weekly meeting for
| instruction or not, and maybe in some in
stances it will not be necessary. Mr..
| Smith tnay at a single meeting map out the
! work for two weeks ahead. The action Of
the board Of education in establishing this
| department is meeting with the approval of
| all who have the best interests OF the public
schools at heart. Vocal music Is now
taught in the fres schools of all the great
cities of this country and Europe.
| AN ESSENTIAL STUDY.
"Let me write the songs of the people and
1
| sentiment of an enthusiast, but the intelli-
gent singing OF songs in our schools IL an
essential part of primary education. 1t is
hoped that the far-reaching influence Of this
work will result in improved methods of
teaching, improved work in the school room,
better music to add to the charms OF society,
the delig hts of home, and the power of all
religious denominations for good. 1t is the
| duty of the teacher of music in this city to
supervise the work, instruct the teachers
observe their lessons, correct their errors,
and assist them in the best and latest meth
! DDS Of teaching.
! OF course IL Is impossible to grade the
work at its introduction and there are some
| difficulties in the way. but notwithstanding
| this Mr.. Smith believes that the first years
| work will show results that will be satisfac-
tory to the friends of the movement and
| surprising to those who are in doubt as TO
the wisdom Of the board In expanding money
| for that purpose.
Mr.. Smith has had large and varied ex-
perience in teaching vocal music and bet
ter selection for the place could hardly have
been made. He was for some time in the
| Cook County Normal Institute which furn-
ishes vocal teachers for Chicago and other
| cities and for q year was professor Of vocal
culture in the Chicago high school He has
| taught in Savannah most successfully and
is in every way competent for the place.