Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-03
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An article on Teaching" has recently
been handed to me by Mr.. Joseph Calm
who was so much struck by the strength Of
the contents that he wishes the students OF
Omaha to receive the benefit thereof. on
reading the said article over | have been
much impressed by the plain, direct lntelli-
gence which the writer has applied to the
subject in hand and | preface his remarks
the best OF which must limit this article
to on account of limited space-by stating
that the writer thereof is Ernst Perabo, the
we'll known and distinguished Boston
teacher OF the piano, and eminent yirtuoso.
Teachers are to a nation what roots are
to the trees. No more serious task con-
fronts teacher than the placing of i'm
portant information accurately and wisely
upon the tender, gentle, grateful and sensi-
tive Divine tablet, that silently directs de-
cisions and events. The development OF the
mind requires slow growth, assisted by the
warm sun of affection and guided by con-
servative teachers with honest and ideal
core options, who understand how to so load
its precious cargo that It may not shift
during life's tempestuous vcssitudes. The
old masters have furnished, for this great
end, not only the solid food, but also the
choicest delicacies, and have done this so
lavishly that all great composers subse-
quently have drawn upon their immortal
treasury. Beautiful piano playing is great
art, to which people bring various qualihca-
ticns. To gather these into one method is
not possible and the teacher must be guided
by individual conditions. Certain methods
have become 'fads,' which belittle both the
pupil and the teacher leading more to busi-
ness and standing than to the truth and
understanding. Moderate practice. with
care and thought, is preferable to close ap-
plication of from six to twelve hours day,
as some late teachers are advocating. AS
the first and gentle pressure gives the rich
est wine, so the highest information Is most
deeply rooted when quarried for without
great strain or fatigue. The groove of
correct habit is graceful, poetic mold,
gradually and lovingly shaped, not, like a
hole, to be dug and hammered out me-
chanically 1t is not we'll to put pupils
back, owing to differing with previous ad-
visors. When valuable information has al
ready been gained let us rather be grateful
to those who have thus facilitated our
labors."
There is a vast amount OF truth in what
Is said in this article concerning methods
The word "methCd' is responsible for many
Ills In the study OF music. As Mr.. Perabo
so aptly says: Certain methods have be.
come 'fads which belittle both the pupil
and the teacher leading more to business
and standing than to the truth and under
standing"
Mr.. Beetmeyer uses the Tralski method!
Nine. Solongski is the leading disciple Of
the Verdante- Gracia method! Herr voh
W. n.gan 10
method! While it is true that in spite OF
all this method" craze some excellent re
suits have been attained 1t does not follow
that a method" student is necessarily ths
budding promise OF a great artist
The teachers of today are beginning to
see that the art OF singing and the art OF
playing are not matters which can be
learned by the application OF fixed and uu.
lite able rules, irrespective OF temperament.
| Individuality is the secret of success in the
teaching of today. What will suit one case
will fail in the next. Happy is he who &C,
cumulates knowledge from all good sources
and uses It with discrimination.
The many friends OF Mrs. Frances r.
Ford will unite with me In congratulatine
her upon her success In securing the POSI-
tion OF organist In one OF the leading
churches OF the Presbyterian denomination
in Philadelphia. The following interesting
lines concerning the city In which she has
taken up her residence give good idea OF
its musical life
This Is a more musical city than I had
expected. We have everything there A.,
Just now II is the opera season. Damrosch
with Nordica, Ternina, Schumann Heink,
Bispham, Van Dyck-yes, and the De
Reszkes. The Boston, Philadelphia and
Pittsburg orchestras all play here this
month, and MacDowell PLAYS one OF his own
concertos with the Philadelphia orchestr,
early In February. The church musical
service, except in the Episcopal churches.
is relogated universally to the quartet The
organists are a good we'll equipped lot OF
men and women, as have seen and heard
them, and there are some beautiful instru.
ments here"
Speaking OF organsts reminds me that n
the Victoria memorial service to be held
here today at the First CONGREGATIONAL
church, four organists will play, each OF
whom was born under the British flag Mr.
Walter Young OF the First CONGREGATIONAL
church, Mr.. Simms OF All Saints church
Mr.. Butler OF Trinity cathedral and the or
ganist OF the First Methodist church he
who indites these lines The complication
is dangerous one, the last two mentioned
being lrishmen and the first two English
men. II Is to be hoped that England and
Ireland will reconcile their differences for
one afternoon, however
| have always heard that PHILADELPHIA
was behind the times, in many ways. and
much fun has been poked at II on account of
its alleged slowness. This is borne out by
the statement OF Mrs. Ford that the music
OF most OF the churches is relegated to the
quartet. hope TO hear from Mrs. Ford In
about year and ! will then find that Phil
adelphia mas succumbed to her enterprise
and push, for she has had enough western
experience TO make her a valuable acquisi-
tion TO any community which is "a little
backward in coming forward"