Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-11-27
VOCAL MUSIC
IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ucatlOn OF our city SCHOOLS nave under
consideration the introduction Of vocal
music; and it is to be hoped that prop
er measures will be taken to accom-.
plish this laudable and much desired
object. Let this noble branch be add
ed to the curriculum of studies.
Though my voice is no more heard
in the schools OF our city, in which |
labored some twenty years Urom 1867
to 1887, being one OF the principal
factors to bring it from its crude state
into the front rank of the schools oil
orr State), yet can speak through
the columns of the city papers. and
propose to be heard on the subject OF
vocal music.
am great lover Of music and
wherever was engaged in teaching
from the time was sixteen years OF
age, | generally opened and closed
my school with singing and prayer.
and when time and circumstances adj
mitted, gave rudimentary instruction.
Such exercises were generally very
much enjoyed by the pupils, and had
the effect to produce cheerfulness,
with favorable influence in the di-
rection oimaintaining good discipline
Some years ago when ! was simply
Principal of the Third ward school, an
effort was made by the Board of Edu
cation in that direction. threw my
self into the work at once and with
zeal. But as none of my subordinates
felt themselves competent, or were foo
backward, it fell to my lot to do all
the teaching and drilling. To accom-
plish this, | spent about halt an hour
in each room, giving the pupils in
each of the five rooms lesson once a
week, teaching them the rudiments
on the black board and chart, and on
Friday afternoon | caused all the pu.
pills to assemble in my room and re-
hearse together the tunes which they
had been taught during, the week
1t was wonderful with what glee they
all engaged in this exercise, and with
what good feeling the labors of the
week closed.
But as very few teachers were COM
petent to carry on the work it fell
through.
claim that vocal music ought to
be taught in the public schools. A
true system OF education aims at the
full and harmonious development Of
all the faculties OF the mind. The
magic power of music acts like spell
upon the susceptible hearts of children
and prepares the mind for the recep,
ton Of pure and lofty sentiments
Singing is the music of nature. IT.
soothing notes are heard in the strife
of the elements; it is heard in the
storm--in the thunder Of the cataract
lin the Eolian sounds among the
forest trees, and in the falling drops
OF the gentle shower. The air with
its melodious combinations of sounds
is the birds, music room whence they
chant their warbliug notes.
Truly all nature sings, and the dy.
ing night breeze as it goes harpiug
Ger hill and dale, touching the sweet
sounding strings Of nature, tells o.
the earliest and best Tyres of harmony
whose choruses are heard in the soft
sweet notes of echoes sent back; and
man, if properly educated, stands en-
raptured with the attractive and pleas.
ing performance. Now if music has
such charms; If it has such power
over the passions and feelings Of man,
why may not its introduction into our
schools aid much in making the
school room pleasant, and a place Of
rich enjoyment to the pupils, by en-
gaging them in the delightful exer-
else of singing? It does all this and
more. 1t is not only a recreation
thrown in to make things pleasant.
but it is also an excellent disposer OF
the mind for the study Of regular les
sons.
Such an exercise would have a po-
tent influence in banishing any traces
of sourness and gloom, sulks and
fidgets which frequently arise. either
from disputes, mortified vanity. dis
content orenvy.
There is also this additional benefit
derived from this exercise. arising
from its relation to reading. 1t does
not require argument 10 show that the
pupil whose voice has been cultivated