The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-27
Subject Discussed at Institute Today
by Director Of Music E. P. Russell
WHAT THE PUBLIC MAY DEMAND.
Discussion OF the Rights OF the Public
by Walter II. Whipple of Westerly
Calisthenics and Class Exercise In
Free Gymnastics.

The Rhode Island Institute or lnstruc-
tion began the second day OF its session
this morning at 9:45 O'clock. The exer-
cses opened by an organ recital by
Charles l.. Kenyon, followed by
devotional exercises conducted by Rev.
Edward c. Moore. Appropriate selec-
tions were then sung by members OF the
Providence High school under the direc-
tion Of Emory F. Russell.
Brusic In Public Schools
"Music in Public Schools" by Emory
P. Russell, director of music In
the Providence public schools,
was the first subject for discussion.
"You realize. no doubt, that the subject
of music is an interesting one" he said.
Every day / realize the power
of music. The moral influence
OF music is incalculable. 1t has reclaim
ed and redeemed many an evil doer. It's
social influence cannot be overestimated.
The work Ia our schools Is
gonsg on Rrandly. Music Is taking root
in the hearts of the boys and girls. 1t Is
also mental developer.
"In singing we have much to do with
the voice. The voice is the expression OF
the soul. BY 1t you can estimate char
acter. BY our voices we are re-
porting our character. That which
quickens the spirit gives life to the voice. l
want living voice. n something real. This
is what we aim to develop in the publ c
schools. We can improve our voices and
make them richer. Physical culture
helps us in our work OF
developing the voice and am glad % well
come it. No person is symmetrical unless
gifted with good voice We
have made great progress in the develop
meut of music. The problem today in
music is to teach and name the invisible
things.
Singing an Aid to Enunciatlon.
Singing will help speech, a. many no
table instances bear evidence. Even the
doctors voice aids OF impairs his success
as healer. The lawyer
argues his case with better effect IL he
employs a well modulated voice. Busi-
ness men. workmen all find pleasant
voice an Efficient helper.
"In teaching any subject teach first the
whole, second the parts Of the whole,
third the parts In relation to he whole,
and fourth the parts In relation to each
other.
The Major Scale.
'The major scale is In nature. We see
proofs OF this on every hand. The ten
dency Of the major scale ascending is ex-
altation; descending 1t is depression.
"Whcn you get clear articulation you
have clear intonation. A clear note is
impossible from an indistinct voice, Do
NOT shun the mechanical work of culti-
waiting the voice. The mechanical comes
first, then the intellectual aud last the
ideal. In this work we can also teach
concentration.
Take care Of the voice. Many children
strain their vocal chords. A child should
never be allowed to strike very high
note. The vocal chords are not sufficiently
developed to permit 1t to be done with
safety.
"The subject of time should receive due
attention. 1t is indispensable and the
child should early receive instruction in
it. There are today many improved
methods for making this subject clear.
The subject of expression is also veiy
important and should be given due Al
tenlion."
After an intermission Of five minutes
Walter X. Whipple. principal OF the
Westerly high school, spoke upon the
topic, What Has the Public n Right to
Demand Of the Public Schoolsi" He
said in substance:
"The public schools are supported by
public money, therefore the public has n
right to oversee the workings OF the
schools. What kind of instruction
will best fit our youth for
American citizenship is the
paramount question. Yet there is danger
of making a too great demand upon
the school Some parents would
throw the entire responsibility
Of training the youth upon the public
school. The duty of training rest pri-
marily with the parents. Parents, church
and school must work together aud one
cannot interfere with the other.
A Practical Education.
"One class OF people demand that their
children be fitted out with practical
education; others that they be prepared
for college. others for social life There
Is also dangerous tendency to specialize.
do not think that the public school
should attempt to fit out student with
a profession. Its primary object should
be to give an all.around education.
suita BILE school Equipment
',The public has right to demand that
proper school buildings be provided. that
an able corps of teach ers be furni, he'd at
reasonable compensation. It has n
right TO demand suitable equipments.
The public school system should be
equipped with suitable teachers.
The tendency is to hire incompetent
instructors. The inefficient teacher IL
employed In preference to an efficient one.
The people have right to demand first
class service.
The Primary Department.
"Tne public has also right TO demand
that n larger proportion OF It's money
be expended upon the primary
department. The primary department Is
all-lmportsnt Many OF our scholars do
not get beyond this stage OF education.
TOO much time is given to the dull
n ltsx A. n. hi