New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-13

grade OF excellence rs the other studies Is the
fault OF the city authorities.
The music department itself is in no way to
blame. Albert s. Caswe the musical director. Is
universally recognized an able and efficient
teacher and there IL no question that he like the
members of the Music Committee. has done MS
duty as far a. he permitted. The examina-
ton for music teacners' certificates conducted by
Mr. Caswe is rigid. and no one IL permitted to
enter the service who IL not n teacher or proven
ability The trouble lies with the failure of the
city to provide funds enough to carry OH musical
instruction in eficien. way.
James b. Bouck chairman Of the Committee on
Evening Schools pointed out some days ago In an
interview in The Tribune that II was Impossible
to carry on night schools IN way that would be
productive of any good results with the money that
has been given to that department IN recent years
The same H. true of the music department. and the
shortcomings of Brooklyn musical instruction are
becoming far more decided az the schools increase
and additional territory is annexed. while the APP
preparation remains as small as ever
MR. CAsWELL HAMPERED.
In the other departments of instruction the Super
intendent Mr.. Maxwell, is unhampered by any de-
mands on his aside from that of his actual Work
of direction He does not have to Instruct but simply
10 supernend the work Of instructors and is there
fore enabled to do good work. Mr. CasweH, however
who occupies in the music department the same place
which Mr. Maxwell does in the others. Is obliged to
spend most Of his lime in teaching and what remains
TO him he can spend In directing The work OF his
teaching corps He has had to teach in the Boys
High School Manual Training School. Training
School for Teachers and in Schools Nos 80. 81. 80
and the schools of the Thirtysecond Ward The
new Erasmus Hall High School will now be added
to the lis; This leaves him little time for super
vision
The teachers in the public schools are carefully
supervised and that is for the excellence
of the schools They under the eyes OF the prin-
cipas and heads of departments. and should these
officials disposed to favor the teachers that evil is
counteracted by the further supervision Of Associate
Superintendent Walsh and Ward Mr. Caswell can
not supervise the work of his teachers They must
examine their pupils and return the results bur they
conduct these examinations themselves and mark
them as they please. There is every opportunity for
music teacher whose pupils do not do him credit %
mark them high those Of another music-teacher
whose work has been well done.
TEACHERS ABLE TO NEGLECT MUSIC
An hour week to music is assigned in the course
OF study but music has the best chance OF being
lected Of any study IF principal does favor
music" said teacher yesterday. THE teachers in
his school will know H. and music will be neglected
Many principals do not favor it, If teacher IN a
primary grammar grade faithfully instructs her
pupils In music. she will get credit for IT, Cor II Is
not marked in her reports Another teacher who
does not favor music may devote the time 20 s,me-
thing else 10 bringing the standard OF class IN
some other study. and she will stand higher than the
teacher who conscientousy teaches music This
tends to discourage the teaching OF music except by
the special music teachers"
Mr.. Caswell gives two examinations n year In
music. These examinations consist OF passages of
music to be written on the blackboard and read at
sight by the class. Blu, there is no supervision
nj he 1pnip atiop ttS;,. oh.
srous of returning high average for his pupils
may help them by singing II through with them or
allowing a few children to do of the singing
and then mark them az he peases. There is there
fore little chance Of ascertaining whether a teacher
In music does his full duty not or OF comparing
the successful and unsuccessful teachers as is the
case in the other branches The whole subject OF
marking is left to the honesty OF the teacher
NOT ENOUGH MONEY PROVIDED
This evil is due. of course TO the lack OF money TO
employ additional teachers. and thus give the d.
rector an opportunity of exercising thorough super
vision. The evil has been greatly increased OF
late. owing 10 the rapid addition of new schools
The force Of teachers is only eighteen 1t has not
been increased for five years. although many new
schools have been added This force is ludicrously
Insufficient Most OF the music teachers too are
careful and earnest workers, and n great injustice
has been done to them. Their salaries were TO be
increased year by year until they reached maxi
mum sum- where they were to stop. This is done
with other teachers. but the salaries Of the music
teachers have not been raised. Their work Is
spread great deal OF territory and In order TO
cover II II Is unavoidable that they should cut the
time shorter and shorter In each lesson. In Direc
tor Caswells last report he made the following plea
for better treatment from the Board of Education
md the Board OF Estimate
In my report of year ago II was stated that
additional teaching force. equivalent TO seventy !
hree hours per week. woull be needed for the ear
s!I. \ survey OF the field as at present laid out
bearing In mind the new classrO0ms 10 be opened
o the number OF about 2O) lin new buildings and In
editions to old buildings). ought to be con, incng
II the moderatcness Of this estimate. Surely ten
minutes each week from the special teacher Ii little
enough for any class. and at present with 800
lasses. that IL about the average. In all farncss
10 not cut any closerdo not make work
ess effective by compelling IL to make the iessons
shorter In order to cover the additional ground. IL
hould be observed that although the number OF
pecial teachers OF music In the employ OF the
}oard IL eighteen. only ten are employed for fun
line, twenty five hours per week. The others are ,
mpoycd for l3t hours per week In the aggregate, /
vhlch IL equivalent to 1929 teachers at full time
Add to THIS the time devoted by the director OF
music to actual teaching In the schools. ard we
ave. say sixteen special .eachers for 2.n classes
nth average attendance OF f03 900 pupile'
hanks to the valued assistance Of principals,