The herald., 1893-11-12

oAuty lor the kentlments eX Erefbtu
A Musical Discord.
EDITORS HERALD On the question oi
music or no music in the public schools
the very peculiar Express has hall
column by one yclept Musician, who
may have some slight knowledge OF mu-
sic, but who knows very little--if any
thing at all--about the public schools OF
this country.
The said musician AYERS that pupils
In the third school year are required to
study reading, spelling writing, arithme-
tic, grammar, drawing, zoology, botany,
physiology, geography, morals and
manners, physical culture and music.
Ii the musician who penned the arti-
Gle in question we're possessed OF any
sense OF propriety, he would take the
trouble to learn that the pupils in the
public schools are not burdened with
any such work as he has deliberately
and falsely outlined in his letter.
II he made such statements, knowing
nothing of the truth OF the matter, he
isjust as guilty as il he had deliberately
falsi6ed.
Asa matter OF fact the pupils OF the
third grade. do not ''study" grammar,
zoology. botany, physiology or physical
culture.
No pupil is injured by practicing the
few simple exercises called drawing.
Nine-tenths OF the adults of the present
generation can hardly draw table or
chair go that anyone would recognize
the article supposed to be represented.
Yet the alleged musician, who has prob
ably ridiculed such specimens OF Indian
art as are shown in some text books,
objects to the simple elements OF the
art which will put civilized children on
higher artistic plane than the one now
occupied by the Indians and by civilized
adults OF our own race.
II Musician has any serious objection
to the simple and somewhat salutary
oral Lessons in morals and manners he
occupies an unenviable position, and
believe he has no company worth men.
tioning to the polite readers OF the
HERALD.
At any rate, the state law compels
teachers to give some instruction in
morals and manners, as we'll as music
and drawing, in all grades and it is at
least legalized crime to do 80.
In all the grades teachers give occa-
sional talks or object lessons on COM
mon plants. animals and the human
body. These lessons are very interest
ing and instructing, as we'll as very
profitable to the wide-awake and inquir-
ing children OF all ages, whose brains
are not 80 weak as some would have US
believe. e
These occasional object-lessons are no
doubt what the imaginative mind Of
"Musician" has transposed into botany,
zoology, physiology and physical cul-
tufe, though by the latter he may mean
the go called breathing exercises.
ALI these facts are we'll known and
approved by all who care to know any
thing about the matter, or who care
enough about their children to visit the
schools, where the children spend years
of valuable time; and it ls nobody elses
business.
The simple rote eongs and the other
mueical exercises constitute the greater
part OF the musical education
no one who is disinterested and we'll
informed could ever deprive innocent
and helpless children OF the one solace
which should be universal in this vale,
where tears and misery do so much
abound.
The Jew moments that are spent on
music do not hamper the children in the
Teai work Of The school day. fsfk
Well informed people saow that the
special music teacher is employed to
direct the music teaching, not to teach
music to 1900 children by individual
instruction.
The undersigned has an idea that
Musician" is also teacher of music,
who is Jealous of the public schools for
obvious ressone.
In question of this kind the school
teachers should be the plaintiffs and the
mnsic teachers the defendants.
Itis u notorious faat that no other
class OF work 80 much interleres with
the pu bile schools and their work, as
the work done by the professional music
teacher, ami that OF all the millions
sIent Tor education. that spent on music
teachers brings the least return and is in
smost every way the most unsatisfac-
tory. r.
Not one young person in fifty can play
anv instrument we'll, yet fully one
t!prd OF them spend large sums OF
money and much valuable time on
teaehcre and music and instruments;
and mauy OF them are a constant source
of annoyance to the teachers and pupils
OF the public echools because of irregu-
lat anu sfaefnuulC htteIiuhuCo huu Cuu-
seqnent interruption OF work.
Lang ago. alter careful consideration
OF TIE snnj.c., cameto the conclusion
that one-Ionrth of the money spent in
the city Of Los Angeles ior the indiffer-
ent Lessons OF alleged teachers of instru-
mental lnne would pay the entire ex-
pere, oi carrying ON a great musical
cousrtvasorv which would afford excel.
len. lnatrnction in all kinds of muRic to
oil the children o proper. age IN the city
lt ia q mere Inatter ot figures and
dollars aud cents aud economy and real
mrsic siit; progress, and whether.
"Musicpn" wisnes 10 or not | will al
come tu,ure time suomit the figures TO
the pibhc EDWARD HUrcuisoN,
rrincipal University Public Schools.
IL, tbldeu Tunes
|, People overlooked the Importance Of
pc ma npAtlv tene fetal effects and were