The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-21
MUSIC AS A PROFITABLE oCCUPA-
TlON FOR WOMEN.

or the many fields of work open to fe-
male industry and skill, there Is not,
probably, another that, when considered
in all it's bearings, Is more worthy the
attention of women than is the field of
music, and this, whether we regard the
matter from pecuniary point of view,
or whether we look upon it rs merely IL
field of work in which il is delightful to
find women working
The teaching of music is one of the
most profitable walks OF the profession.
and is we'll adapted for women; indeed,
SO completely is it within her capacity
that.it becomes little short of marvellous
to find so small Il percentage of women
following this branch of work. 1t Is en-
inently fitted to true womanhood, as
much as it is not subject TO the glare of
publicity, and to the many couuteracting
influences which make the life Of ser
want Of the puhlic-even if she be a favor.
ite-so precarious, at times trying and
even Objectionable. A public favorite
may come and go, n great pianist or
worldrenowned diva may be eclipsed by
a greater; but the teacher is with us,
still lnboring patiently, yes, it may be
obscurely, but, nevertheless Eonorably ia
a responsible work, which is not lightly
regarded by right thinking people. because
it does not happen to be constantly en-
gazing the attention of that class of peo-
pie who write musical notices and who
call themselves critics. And if the teach
ing of music is suited to women it is in
te,esting to find that the public itself is
much disposed to encourage such state
of things. The majority or heads Of fafni
lies, and even or girls themselves, and
children also woul! prefer music mis-
tress to a master, could an equal prof
cheney be depended upon; and, inasmuch
as this question of proficiency would ap-
pear to be the only impeachment, it would
be passing strange were women not to
remove it, especially as the calibre of
teaching among the masses of to-day is of IL
very poor average. 1t is not necessary here
to enter upon the several rates of pay
ment for giving instruction in the seve-
raj branches OF musical education, and it
may readily be admitted that such rates
are not on the face of them of very high
standard. But, it is not SO much the
rate of the remuneration that has to be
thought of as the permanency of the oc
cupation. The life and work of a teacher
of music especially if such an one estab-
fishes Il connection with good families, is
not subject to the cups and 9" downs"
which fall to the lot of the vocalist AMI
instrumentalist. With the teacher each
day brings it's appointed work-the
Hoble Work oI enushNotlnR u raiSe OtherS
20 the level of ones own Intelligence aud
power; but it is not every day or every
post that brings engagements for the
public singer and solo instrumentalist.
On these grounds, therefore, if upon
none of the many others that might be
poi ted out. the teaching OF women is to
be commended as a means for obtaining
not only n profitable, but an honorable
livelihood.
Fathers who have children with must
cal gifts would dp well to consider that
the bringing into the house of an organ
Or piano may be providing these chill
dren in the future with implements of
gaining aG: honorable livelihood In the
case of daughters this is indeed worth
considering, for who ran tell what
changes may come to woman's'life;
j. ID. IIOBBlE.