New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-29
NTSTC TEACHERS CONVENTION.
IT'S ADMIRABLE SPIRIT AND EXCELLENT
RESULTS FROM \ TEACHERS
POINT OF VIEW.

POINT OF VIEW.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The meetings Of the Music Teachers National
Association Convention held in NewYorE AZ the
Grand Central Palace for the last few days have
been a pleasure and source Of interest and help
funess to teachers attending them not soon TO be
forgotten The press notices. far as ! have seen
them have dealt slightly with what take 10 be
the higher and broader meaning oi the convention
in general and the intelligent. thorough and eX-
cellent showing OF the woman's department IN par
ticular. that I have concluded that this must be
because such an exhibition appeals less strongly, as
well as from an entirely different point OF view, 10
the musical critic than II does the music teach
| er Hence I write few words o. the convention
from the standpoint solely of the music teacher.
The enterprise seemed interesting one from the
start, the aims OF the collation. good and high
ones. and the creation and management OF the
wOman's department n step very fIr ahead In the
right direction. There were. however. articles In
various papers and magazines stating that the
Music Teachers National Association practical
~ dead. that It had served its purpose that there
was no need for a National association that State
organizations all sufficient. Prominent mu-
scians. whose attainments and characters were TO
be respected had not lent their services,
inquiries made in musical circles elected halt-
hearted commentator or a kindly shrug and II
is quite possible that many wondered az they went
to the first meeting the first day whether the
Music Teachers National Association really had
I was concerned. was answered in the affirmative
before the end OF that first day, and by the end Ok
the second had deepened into a conviction that
this movement, Il carried In n broad and high
spirit. might be OF incalcuahle benefit TO the mu-
steal profession. We have been charged by many
as being a profession essentially thn-skinned-as
certainly apt TO harbor petty jeal0u,es. II this
IS so, IS II not because do not know each other
well enOugh-because never meet each other.
because We are each going continually in our own
little circle with our own chosen and congenIal
confrares because our brother sister OF the next
town or State Of whom may have heard and
WITH whose particular way Of conducting his work
may be In sympathy Is an essentially un-
known If not Objectionable personality 10 US?
With the great teachers, botn men and women. Of
course this is not VITA the great artists, with
some OF the minor ones even this is not so; but how
about the teacher OF private pupils in an obscure
town. or the obscure but excellent teacher OF phi
vate pupils in great city Gor there are many
SUCH; how especially about the woman teacher IN
either OF these conditions? Can It be possible that
the hundreds OF women VINO have attended this
great convention have not had their mental hori-
ION broadened their sympathies opened wide to
other struggling like themselves? WITH con-
victions not whit less strong OF the justice and
efficacy and nigh aim OF their own particular WORK,
/ ii mas seemed to me impossible tlat these teachers
should have come away from the c1HFentlon WI
/ workers. ana respect :Or honest convictions,
though methods or IDEAS might he radically d!!ior-
| shed.
i wish that every teacher within reasonable
distance OF New York might have received The very
great delights and helps which have been oeed "ai4e
the convention lasted or tn mo Jess sum or ~ Gems
Pcrry's reciials alone Wcre worth much mo.
than twice that amount. and there has been an ni-
| mite variety OF entertainment besides. The music
/ critic goes everywhere hears everything worm
/ hearing and meets every ono worth knowing IN his
/ particular line Of work. Dut the ordinary music
teachers line OF lie Is q closely prescribed one
/ and outside Of his or her particular clientele ana
near associates. and occasional concert or opera
df 50 fortunatc) suck teacher knows little OF tire
word of music cxccp what ne she may read or
f.. II seems 20 vel That there snou.t be 4 IA
t.onal Association Of Music Teachers well thar we
noble al. from the North the Wesi. the South OF
this, great country; well mat such broadening
; by Mrs. Sutro ana hcr committees ana Il Inc VI
sic Teachers National Association can give an add
ed impetus y" ue pGi!iE Oh our am! anu ,"e NJ
purposes when should so Wh me pr" -tlce o. ti.e
art OF music-if II can coniuc" 10 the kindly sym
pdthy which sees IN fohow-worker ono Of the
I common brotherhood OF mankind or "om1nkind-
be helped and encouras q IN whatever part ~ ms
great country he or she may chance 90 I've, - J.
not well that r. exist? II such spirit come AMI
remain with W. * is much 10 hope that W
may wor.hily BE trusted with the making OF our
c,untry's music which. according 10 the old quota
ION So cloquentv used hy MIS-. Donald Mclean ~
her admirable address on Friday afternoon. j. of
more importance 20 q country than It's laws. II is
gctir se.f-deny.ng work ~ Mrs SUro and her asso-
caies. ard the artists who have assisted them no
less than 10 President Greene. great part Of the
success OF the convention i due, ana manifest rea-
son for tie existence - National as-o-l2on made
A. t'.s W.. - the regular ticket IA. Jus. been
eected WI rresdr Greene at it. head, and the
decision has been mac ", iAc mex place %; meet
ing shall again 80 No.-i '.H !. j. nos 800 much 20
expo. ian create ai move admirable results still
NAV De- ob.a..c0 hy ;ae convention O. isN. because
OF he eel. renal and 'n'gy o. i.l- WRITER'S for the
LILA J. NJ CURRAN.
Underwood, Y. j. lure 2s. 1897.