The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-02-02

The HavaIians are cminently a
musical people. The excellent results
of the Hawaiian band under Captain
Berger show us that. Take the i'm
struction i'm our schools and we find
that among the Hawaiians the love
OF music quickly catches their sympa-
thetic ear Here are two things to
consider.
w, t,r,.w from our experience among
the voung or Hawaii that music Is at
tractiye. and more than that is easily
assimuated There Is great diiier-
euce between attraction 0nJ assimila-
ton. in the one case 1T may no Nha'
we call FAD" in the other it becomes
a proclivity
Now we have had considerable
amount Of musical instruction in our
schools, indeed we have striven TO do
the best of work in this direction, and
we have succeeded wonderfully. Nisi-
tors who come to the Islands and who
see, and hear not only the city schools,
but the schools all over the Islands
are surprised at the success Of the
teachers. As far as the city schools
are concerned they are the equals, if
not the superiors of a large proportion
of the schools on the Pacific coast, and
one could go very far east to find any
thing better.
Now might there not be more thor
ough work in this direction. Have we
done all that should be done for the
advancement of our people. AS far as
school work is considered we have. But
we might do something more, we might
form the nucleus of a small conserva-
tory of music. The initial effort would
not be very costly and could be done
on modest lines. There would be sec
lions for vocal and instrumental music
and also for theoretical work and COM
position The material, at the outset,
could be found in Honolulu. There are
sufficient well cultivated musicians on
the spot who would make good pro-
fessors in an institution of this kind.
Later, if the experiment should prove
successful, it will naturally attract
people from abroad, and better talent
can be obtained
The idea has been seriously consid,
cred by several people, and the argu,
ments in it's favor seem good. 1t viii
at least be an outlet for a talen
which is undoubted, though it ma!
prove a talent with limitations. Yol
cannot put all people into the sam,
mould, and produce just one usefu
pattern. Some races are practical anC
make good mechanics or keen trad
ers. Some are not practical and can
never make thorough mechanics o.
successful traders. What is true o
races is true of individuals. Would
it not, then, be well to give an oppor
tunity for those whose bent is tow
ards an art rather than towards
trade, to study that art to some prac
teal result
A good all round musician is not, a:
general thing, going to make a for.
tune, but he can make a living in al
most any community. But in order tC
be able to make a living he must be
taught the principles of his art. How.
ever great the natural ability, to be
of practical use, it must be cultivated
Now the question is should the Ter.
ritory give that opportunity. 1t seems
under the circumstances, just that il
should. 1t is a matter that the Legis.
lators can discuss and if they car
satisfy themselves that such course
is wise and just, they can vote the
necessary funds. There will be nc
difficulty in arranging the details if the
.sinews of war are provided.