The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-08-04
MUSIC IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
GRATIFYING RESULTS sHOWN ny
SUPERVISOR JEPSoN's REPORT.

SUPERVISOR JEPSON'S REPORT.
The Report IN Full-Result of the Annual
Examination-High Marks In Sight
Singing and Musical DIctation-High
Compliment to New Haven Schools by
National Music Teachers Association.
The report of Prof. Jepson, supervi-
sor OF music In the schools, given below
is highly gratifying as showing the ex-
cellent work which Is being accom-
plisned by the pupils under Prof. Jep-
sons system of instruction, the children
advancing rapidly In the matter of the
elements of a musical education and
thus become fitted for the higher grades
In the study of the art.
If carried no further than is provided
in the schools the children obtain a
knowledge Of music which will ever
be gratifying and useful to them.
The report is as follows:
Mr.. G. N. Kendall,
Superintendent of Schools
The annual examination Of the schools In
music, commencing May 18TH and ending
June 14th, disclosed the following results:
Number Of rooms marked 10 in Sight sing
ing, 112.
Number of rooms marked in sight sing
Number Of rooms marked to in sight
singing, 81.
NumDer Of star singers, $500.
Number of monOtOnes, Az.
Perfect in dictation, 2,323.
Average in dictation. Us per cent.
1t affords the undersigned great pleasure
to be enabled to report, from year 10 year.
continued progress in the department or
Music; the interest and, it might even pc
added, enthusiasm in the study OF music,
is universal in all the schools.
In sight singing, as will be seen oy tne
above statistics, large percentage nave
received the highest mark; glance at the
printed tests herewith enclosed VII Wlil lurnlsn s
site for perfect first performance. Every
pupil In the primary and grammar sehoois
Of the city with the exception OF Weich
to stand before the supervisor and sing
alone an exercise suitable to their grade.
OF the entire number, 200 "a greater num-
attaining the much coveted star given
for individual work. AS In all other
branches the best and surest results are
only attainable on the line OF personal IN
struction, and personal tests. 1t is mat
ter OF common occurrence for the gradu-
ates of our schools who have entered pro-
fesslonal life to refer to the stars thus OBJ,
tanned as the beginning Of their musical
In the matter Of musical dictation the
progress has been very marked; the accom-
hundreds of others equally good, and may
be regarded alike as evidences OF musical
knowledge and good penmanship.
The cultivation OF sweet tones a IN singing
tention, In reference to this desirable fea-
ture Of the work It is gratifying to be able able
TO say that visiting supervisors E4s OF music music
from other cities give New Haven schools
credit for sweet quality Oh tone.
In reference to the progress IN music the
supervisor desires to, express his grateful
regular teachers; but for their loyal and
faithful cooperation, the results attained
would be well nigh impossible IN few
instances, where teachers not familiar with
our methods have been employed, the
standard of efficiency has been lowered. 1t
need scarcely be said, that each grade has
broken link in the chain Of musical In
struction Is exceedingly difficult to replace;
moreover, failure. in one grade retards pro-
gress to SOME extent In all succeeding
THE young ladies' Normal class at Hill
house High school, numbering thirty-three
pupils, has been IN successful operation
during the year. Four teachers Of the class
having decided not to enter the Normal
school, dropped out during the course. By
way of practical preparation for the work
CURED at least twice during the year to
take the floor and oficiate as Instructor of
the class
may be said that since the crowded condl-
ton Of the school made 1t necessary to d.
vide the assembly hall into session rooms,
the supervisor of music has been painfully
conscious Of retrograde tendency in his
department; regular Instruction in the
three lower classes has been entirely omit
ted, except with the few privileged few
uation with the senior class in the highest
room; outside Of that room not a voice In
singing is ever heard Permit me, then,
ments @ INA may = be n made de- the Coming year
whereby every class, as formerly, may
have its regular day for weekly instruction
in music. The Undersigned would also re
the study of music at the Boardman High
school. Instruction during the past year,
which was, confined to the graduating
hours, and, as a matter of course, volun-
tary on the part of the Instructor.
Permit me to call attention once more to
the condition Of the grand piano in use at
the High school since its dedication In 1872;
it should be sent at once to the factory for
complete renovation. The Eaton school pi-
ano needs the same attention.
In the seventh and eighth grades, where
accidentals and the chromatic scale are
subjects Of study, an instrument is almost
Indispensable. Up to the present time one
School School In the Strong school, With five
rooms In this grade Of work, two additional
piapos are needed. In case provision is
made for the three highest rooms to as
semble in the third story. Baby Grand
piano would answer the purpose
For reasons stated In last years report
upright pianos are very inconvenient and
undesirable IN the school-room.
In conclusion, 1t may be matter of in
terest to all concerned to state that an In
vitation has been received from the pro-
gramme committee Of the National Music
Teachers association, now convened in
New York city, urging the Illustration OF
musical methods by class from the New
Haven schools. The undersigned regrets
that the Invitation cnme TOO late for Off
cial action and the timely organization of
n class: the honor conferred, however, may
be Justly regarded rs q compliment to the
New Haven schools
Respectfully submitted,
B. JEPSON