The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-07-28

| public school work, Germany had done
so, even making it the order by law, and
her example was soon foil wed by other
| surrounding nations.
We all know how ms pirating the music
of band is! IG is said that troops never
march so we'll as when accompanied by
music and that oftentimes the band has
saved an unsuccessful army from mutiny.
Notwithstanding this, the law scarcely
United States, since it provides for one
band only-that of the Military Acad-
envy, while Germany supports more than
| 357, Russia 2S2, France 1876, and England
| It's. This, too, in face of the fact that
the United States is the richest country
of the world.
Another proof. Paris, that hotbed of
strife and rebellion, has free Conserva-
| tory of Music wherein all deserving stu
dents have the opportunity of study.
We can boast of no such Institution
throughout the length and breadth of
our land.
In the days Of Socrates a knowledge of
music was instilled into the minds of
such of the youth as studied anything at
all. In the thirteenth century when our
Mother country was home of the best
of the worlds music, at the festivals, the
harp passed from hand to hand and who
ever could not show himself possessed of
talent for music, was counted unworthy
of being received in good society.
1t is my hope, that from this meeting
to night, we as Grange and q commun-
ity, may be filled with deeper love and
enthusiasm for music, the divinest of all
arts. Let us now look together at the
value music has for US in the school, the
home and social life.
Music teaching in the schools ofAmerica
| began some fifty years ago in Boston,
under DR. Lowell Mason. Its success
| there led to its Introduction in other
cities, and the work has gone on, until
| to-day hardly a town of much size is
| without it's special music teacher. The
Director of Music in Cambridge, Mass,
says: mathematics, with all it's boosted
glory, cannot claim superiority over
| music; for what problem calls for keener
useSof the mental faculties than reading
music, especially vocal music. Every
sound must be a certain pitch, must be
| sung loud or soft, as indicated by marks
of expression, the words must be pro-
nounced distinctly and with an intelligent
| accent, and all at just an exact point in
the rythm. believe no study can claim
| superiority over music in developing &C
| tivity and stimulating the mental facul-
ties TO wonderful attachments" Again,
| in reading, the influence of music Ia very
apparent. A good singer is good
reader, and q musical voice is the first
requisite of good elocutionist. The
American voice Is proverbial for it's harsh
and unpleasant qualities. It ia along this
| line, more than any other, that the pub
lie school work fails.
The cultivation OF children's voices on
a sound physiological basis is sadly neg
lected. Vocal music, in It's public school
sense, really means, practice in sight
reading. Not until in the school room
children are taught how to obtain pure,
sweet tone, shall we cease to merit this
unpleasant fame.
Another says: II have been teacher
in this country since 1S49, and can
make this statement honestly. that
wherever and Whenever have succeeded
have had easy sailing in my school work,
we're punishment to the pupils
It was Martin Luther who said aMusic
Is discipline, mistress of order and
good manners.
Singing is alse q physical exercise OF
wonderful power and great promoter
of health. Physicians tell us that thous-
early graves from consumption and other
lung troubles, who might be living were
their lungs properly DEVELOPED by the
deep breathing necessary tor singing.
Quoting now from Mrs Thomas, Director
OF music In Detroit: TIN no other coun-
try on the face Of the globe is It 30 neces-
sary that the national music should be.
engrafted in It's very lives and beings Of