The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-08
Roanoke Shoe Co.,
Spot Cash Money Savers.


OF music are so thoroughly appreciated
and generally understood that discus
sion of that phase of the subject is en-
tirely unnecessary.
If, however, the object in Obtaining a
musical education was simply meaus
of gaining n livelihood, as in the case of
learning teiegraphy, type-writing and
shorthand, it would be- unnecessary to
consider ones age, for then it would be.
come question of dollars and cents and
mind filed with all sorts of sense and
nonsense would be no disadvantage
Where can | send my son that lie may
be properly instructed in music? is Il
question often asked by anxious parents.
The desire on the part of parents is per-
fectly natural aud actuateG, no doubt, 10y
Il deep sense of their own needs and the
glarinS neglect of those responsible for
their early training ana tho spontaneous
outcroppings OF musical aspirations COM
mon to all children. 1t would he entirely
imprncticable To incur the expense and
deprive the sen of parental care and rob
him of necessary training obtanable az
the public schools, TO send him to the New
England Conservatory AMI like ipstitu.
tiOnS, when all that is desired is sufficient
know ledge to enable him to read music
ard sing AMI play with satisfaction to
himself and without discontinue to
others, rs opportunity afforded and the
occasion demanded.
10 wait until IA comp elton Is made of
the public school course would no. re.
lieve the situation, for sensible father
would at once enter his son at college, or
put him at some suitable business occu-
patton. In either event he would have lit
tie or no time to study music, and not
only so but in the case Of sending him to
Il university or college, not II one could
be found in this State, or anywhere else
so far as know, where musical theory is
embraced in the course OF study. The
two reasons just mentioned are above
sufficient reasons why elementary music
should he taught III the public schools
l. G II an opportunity is lost 10y II boy
while pupil At the public school none
Will be offered him afterwards to acuuire
such Knowledge
With the girls it is not qnite so bad
where parents haze sufficient means to
send them to the many good schools that
abound IN these parts FOR yonng ladies'
where the study OF music is recognized
10 be OF plimary Importance and is
usually provided with great care and cy
pense, aud therefore becomes special
course too expensive TO become available
to those of moderate means who unfortu-
nately are in large majority, and conse
quehtly out of reach of most girl stu.
Iients. But these unfavorable cOndi-
lions attending our.girls in the study of
music are partly met by those teachers
giving private Constructions mean no
reflection in thisillusion hut am fumil-
lar with the many. obstacles that hinder
the average teacher and pupil in the sue.
cessiul accomplishment of the end for
which they are bGth striving. Iook at
this picture 80 familiar to every teacher
and pupil in BEGINNING the study of mu-
sic: Seated side by side, backs turned
upon everything save ivory keys and
notes, ears closed to every sound except
the customary and monotonous one two,
three, four, drawled out by the pupil,
with an occasional interruption from an
over worked teachcr'and the humdrum ey-
ercises thumped on an old action, worn,
untnned piano or organ for one solid hour
with. the thermometer registering any.
where from ten degrees below zero to ten
in the shade. Can you imagine ANYTHING
more irks0mc ana conditions more un.
favorable Tor the acquiring of fundamen-
tai principles of one of the most difficult
sciences known? Thus are beginnings
made, if made ut all, and continued from
year to year in the most delightful rs
we'll as useful study with more or less
success according to the perseverance and
determination.o student and ability of
the teacher.
am sure If in the beginning and pur.
suing the studies necessary to n common
English education were delegated to such
show and tedious methods the term SO
descriptive of ones musical status, ''the
ignoramus, would lose it's Significance
and become general.
No wonder the child so often forms
dislike for the teacher and for music and
goes tofpractice and recitation with
feeling akin 10 criminals on his way to
his cell. When we contemplate this te.
diou1 method so embarrassing to those
beginning music we can well see why so
many childre show such little interest
in their music lessons In the absence of
quicker and better way of acquiring
primary knowlcdg re of music the student
becomes discouraged and disgusted before
u good beginning has been made.
What advantage then OF having this
same instruction embodied in our public
school system? | answer, the saving of
valuable time and expense, the advan-
thge of charts and blackboard exercises.
the competition and n stimulous to mind
: nj energies engendered by class recita-
ton as II means of furnishing to the pu.
continued on fourth mage