The record-union., 1895-12-03
MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS.


sidered the proposition to introduce
music teaching into the schools by sys-
tematic method. The position then as
sumed was that if the method proposed
to the Board of Education will add more
to the home study of the children of
the public schools, then the new idea
should be rejected. But if the new
method will simply take the place of
the valueless rote teaching and prac-
tice of the present, then it might be
wise to adopt it.
The Record Union expressed the idea
then, and it is now more firmly fixed
in that opinion, that there is overload
ing of the curriculum of the schools,
and that any addition whatever will be
downright injury of the same order.
There is altogether too much DISPOSE
ton to shift upon the schools duties
that are parental, too much disposition
to put into the school system fads and
new tangled ideas, and to seek in the
schools application of correctives for all
manner of social ills. Regarding music,
however, we said on Saturday, and we
say now, that it is not mere accom-
plishment. That if it is taught at all
it should be taught Systematically and
with the purpose of making this form
of human expression of value through
out life
1t was promised that inquiry should
matter and that the people should be
advised as to the result. This inquiry
has been made; it has covered a wide
range and involved considerable re-
search and much weighing of evidence
TO- and against the new proposition.
We have arrived at these facts and
conclusions TO our own satisfaction.
The law of the State requires that
music shall be taught in the public
schools. It goes so far as to exclude it
from the list of subjects that may be
treated orally, thus requiring it to be
taught as is arithmetic reading, Ian
guage, etc. Rote teaching of music,
therefore, is not in accordance with the
law. We find that it is required that
those who apply for teachers certifi
Gates must be examined upon the the
DRY and practice of music. 1t is evident
then that the law contemplates music
as an essential study and not as a
trimming or a mere diversion in the
course of study.
1t is found, also, that the proposition
now before the Board of Education is
not to add anything to the curriculum,
not TO increase the burden of home
study or give to the children any more
or heavier tasks to add to their present
duties. But it is proposed that
music shall be taught syste
matically, slowly from chart, to
primer and reader, on up to the highest
grade, so that the child may be able to
read music as he reads print, and that
this teaching shall supplant rote teach
ing or exercise to the extent of whatever
time is now given to that method.
In view of these facts, then, there
appears to be no substantial objec-
tions to the introduction of a system of
music teaching. What the system pro-
pesed is we do not know, and into the
method proposed to be employed we do
not now inquire. That which has con-
been simply the matter of guarding
against the further loading up of the
course of study and increasing the home
school tasks of the pupils. If the Board
OF Education is convinced that there
will be no enlargement of study at
home by the children by reason of the
adoption of some system for teaching
music instead of the rote practice of
the present; if. as we now believe, sys-
tematic study of music can be had in
the public schools without further load
ing the course of study, then it should
be adopted and the law in its essence
complied with.
Of this we are positive, the rote teach
ing of music is not compliance with the
requirements of the statute; it is of no
sort of value to the children; it is very
little more than time wasted. If, then,
this time can be utilized in teaching
that which may be easily learned, and
that ought to be within the educational
requirements of all, the order to that
end should be made, not in the interest
of any particular system offering, but
III the interest of the schools, and for
the equipping of the children with the
fundamental knowledge that will ena-