The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-23
PUBLIC SCHOOL MUSIC
GREAT REFORMATION NEEDED
AMONG AMERICAN CHILDREN.
Yankee Voices the Most UnmusicaI of
Any Nation, the Result of Long
Misuse-NOtes.

asks Richard Wood Cone in Boston Herald
at the beginning of an article on Music
in the Public Schools" Mr. Cone believes
that few will dispute the fact which has
long been recognized that Americans have
unpleasant voices. Our cultured people have
for many years realized that great re-
form is necessary, but the task looks Her
culean, and a spirit of hopelessness has
tempted to the belief that we have inher-
tied these disagreeable voices and that
as they are natural. it would be an impos-
siblity for us to become a sweet-voiced
people. Many theories have been advanced
to explain this defect, such as climate, ner-
vous temperament, etc, but since it is
demonstrable that the voice of an Amer
lean may, by correct training, be made
quite as musical and agreeable as that of
an Italian or a Frenchman, it is not I'M
reasonable to assume that, owing to long
misuse, the truly natural voice is hardly
known among US. Continuing, Mr.. Cone
says:
Il have made a careful study of this
subject for many years, and forced to
the conclusion that the faults which are
so conspicuous are not inherent in US, but
that accumulation of bad habits vocally
accounts for this. deterioration of voices.
For generations, sharp, high-ptched voices,
used with reckless disregard of all the
laws pertaining to sweet, melodious speech,
have so fastened these faults upon US that
the result is the unpleasant tone so nearly
universal. 1t would seem unnecessary to
enlarge upon the necessity and the advan-
tages of possessing a good voice When we
think how dependent We are upon this in
strument in every circumstance and walk
in life, how important becomes the truth
,;,,1r
power of a sweet, clear tone is recognized
in all circles, social, professional or BUSH
ness. Voice culture should precede both
song and speech in order to avoid the con-
traction of bad habits III tone production.
For several years the study of elocution
has been much in vogue; and 1 believe that
in many cases it has been undertaken with
a serious desire to improve the speaking
voice. In Boston, this study has, reached
a point where it might almost be termed a
fad, yet we do not note any Improvement
In daily speech even among those who
have spent years in this work. On the con-
trary, in many instances, the unfortunate
result of the study has been such an acqui-
sition of artiicality and mannerisms on the
part of the student that we instinctively
coil, feeling with disappointment that the
last state of that man is worse than the
first Such examples have brought the
very term elocutionN into bad odor, although
in its true sense it is an art much to be
desired.
ELOCUTIONISTS FAIL.
Experience proves that this remark of
a distinguished American writer is true:
Outside of patent medicines there is no
humbug so great as that which charac-
terizes nine-tenths of Evolutionary teach
ing 1t is precisely on the threshold of
their art that many so-called elocution-
lists fail They occupy themselves with
articulation, pronunciation, emphasis ges-
ture and what not, having little, if any,
knowledge of true voice; hence readings
and recitations are given in so stilted and
unnatural manner as to suggest an elo-
cution mill which turns out vocal interpre-
ters by the wholesale, the quality and col
oring of the interpretations, however, being
nearly always of the same pattern. Ger
of the mark and this is because it does
not strike to the root of the matter-does
not reveal the truth as to the principles
of vocal freedom. 1t is both too complex
and too superficial.
A great deal of twaddle is talked about
voice building voice cannot be built
and effectively by Il truthful and simple
method and the avoidance Of all muscular
ever in voice culture-whether for singing
or speaking-for a forced tone will be loud,
anu lOuQHeSS Is weakness, says q great
vocalist; This assertion may at first seem
q paradox, but its truth is easily proved
from each persons own experience. 1t is
the quality, not the quantity, of voice used
which gives it the carrying power. Hun
dreds of people who can sing and speak in
a loud tone are unable to modulate their
voices without losing their tones entirely,
or making them so faint as TO be utterly
void of the power of expression. A signifi-
c e3 Itct Whlch seems little realized is that
there is but the one voice for speaking and
singing, and there is but one truth regard
ing voice training.
Rejecting upon our constant use of the
voice, IL is strange that more serious
thought has not been given to this subject
before. 1t is not too fanciful to say that
the usefulness in life of a person may be
greatly enhanced or impaired by vocal con-
ditons. Many depend largely upon the
teacher, clergyman and lawyer. 1t is easily
seen that all such work would be vastly
improved If the voice We're correctly used
the requirement of musical quality of tone
Once this is attained. many and mighty
blessings would follow, and daily inter
course be much Sweetened. When this
freedom OF voice is gained the art of sing
ing will be a much more common accom-
factor then needed will be the musical tenn
permanent which many now possess, who,
unhappily, are unable to sing, note
1T seems little short of folly to educate
a person in all the branches of his pro-
fession, vet leave him to use his voice
as he will which generally is in a false
and unnatural manner. AS well expect an
engine, having every part perfect as to
its mechanism. to work smoothly when the
steam is uncontrolled We Americans are
proud of our schools and colleges and with
reason and no effort or money is spared to
give to our children every advantage of
education; yet almost nothing is attempted
toward giving them command over their
speech that it may be effectively used.
PROPER SYSTEM NEEDED.
at is more than one hundred years since
Bishop Berkeley propounded the question
whether half the learning and talent in
England were not lost for want of proper
system of voice culture in schools and col
leges. At the present time in Great Britain
and on the continent, among the educated
classes. the childs speech is watched with
the greatest care, particular attention be-
ing paid to the quality of tone, and hence
their pleasing melody. Even among the
working class in Yorkshire | have heard
young women chatting in tones so musical
that listening was a delight, though un-
mindful of the theme of conversation.
when lecturing in Providence some
three years ago, Lady Henry Somerset re-
marked: There is great field for mission
work among our American sisters; that is
TO teach them to modulate their voices
Since that time Lady Henry has established
school in London where women speakers
may he taught the art of free Vocalization.
If this IS necessary among her country
women how much more i'm America No
intelligent traveller will feel this comment
10 be a carping criticism, for all such i'm
mediately recognize the difference between
the speech of the English and Americans
and we must confess with humility that we
can learn much from them in this particu-
lar.
selves 10 form any vocal habit which NAV
co1na n them through association ar other.