, 1896-06-17
To the Editor Of the ST. Croir Avis."

Dear Sir,
1t may afford some qualification to your
readers, at least, to those who are parents
and to others who take an interest in The
welfare of The young, to learn that a Musical
Association. called the de Salas' Institute"
has been established in this town, IN con
cection with "La Esperanza" School. As
will be obsef we'd, the Society is named after
the celebrated artist who lately visited our
town. and gave us the rich musical treat
which some Of us may not soon forget.
Long before the arrival of Mr.. Le SalaS we
had made up our mind to est ,bljsh such an
institution thus month, 1t being the time OF
the wear when we generally commence new
undertakings; 50 that the coming OF our
friend in May has served to furnish It's with a
most appropriate name.
The institution consists of two sections, a
vocal one, comprising all the more al >anced
pupils of the School, Of both sexes; and an
Instrumental one, made up OF our more al
vanced piano pupils, III all p members. Both
sections will have the advantage OF Il regular
course of instruction in vocal music, and one
of the fundamental rules OF the lnstl-
tuition is, that no body wU be Animated as a
member Of 1T bat one Who wU submit to the
raid course of musical training, both an
theory and practice, that ~iH be prescribed
by the director.
room for instruction one evening III every
week, the lesson to last about an hour, say,
from 7 to 5 o'clock.
The advantages aimed at by the originator
of the institution, are, in addition to those
generally known, The acquiring of the art of
3Sol. ing" or singing music at sight; the
I4:--4:o,, sc tbu vnina and the establishing
Of s, refined taste that may lead to the lntelll-
gent appreciation Of the better sort Of music.
Eventually we hope to have choral
societies formed by our past members, and
to see our Church choiIS composed, If not
entirely, at least, principally Of them.
At the anniversaries, each member will
receive q humble? of tickets to distribute
among his friends and relations who will be
admitted to The musical entertainments which
will then be given. At these anniversaries,
and only then. new members will be enrolled.
Although we offer no invitation to strangers
to ioin us as members, yet in order to extend,
as much as possible, the usefulness OF The
institution, we will admit all decent children,
irrespective of creed or sex, provided such
are strictly under the control OF respectable
parents or guardians, through whom appllca-
lion for admission must be made to the dIrec-
tor. from whom they will receive a c'ld
emitting them to the privileges OF members.
Instrumen,alists who have their own in
structors, but desire to become memhers OF
the de Salas' Institute, y must be willing to
submit their music to the choice or approval
of the director Of the Institute. To this end,
there will be quarterly meetings, at which
all Observation-Disclosures, without exception, will
be expected to be present, for the purpose
Of reciting before, and of being reported upon
bv. the director, who will keep a book for
the purpose Of recording progress. In order
TO ascertain if the theoretical knowledge OF
music is in keeping with the requirements
of the institute rigid written examinations
will be held at the quarterly meetings. At
the anniversaries musical critics will, if pos
sible, be invited to judge the performance;
but they will be asked to give a private
statement of their opinion to the director, who
will communicate the result to the per-
formers.
It is naturally expected that parents and
Guardians will be fully alive to the great
benefits to Gleir children intended by the
instifute. and will do their utmost to CO.