Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1901-11-07
MORE CONTEMPLATION.
Old Alumnus Thinks the School
of Music

Vi M uSlI
HAS Demonstrated that 1t is all Right
Fads and Funny Business Have Been
Abolished and Straight work is Being
Dyne-Competent Teachers are Do
ing Fine work.
To the Editor of the New DOMINION:
tOld Musicians opinion of a re-
cent recital of the School OF Music as
published in the last issue of this
paper is worthy of much more than
passing notice. Everyone in this
section knows I'D. W. and his half
century Of devotion to music, and
while his statements are clear and
up to the point and possess frank
ness that is refreshing there were
several hundred people who on the
occasion referred to read his opinion
just as clearly in every splendid line
OF his gentle sympathetic earnest,
manly face. Some of US could not
avoid comparing the opportunities of
the students who thFonged the hall
with those of the boyhood eompan-
ions OF this veteran musician lin d
seat well forword) whose appreciative
though critical attention was an in
SEPARATION to every number on the
program; and we wish he could have
joined your correspondent in "playing
audience at one of the semi private
recitals which by the way are very
much more trying on the students
than the public affairs but which
afford an easy explanation for the
credit that invariably attends the
public efforts Of the music students.
/ A fortunate Misunderstanding as
1 to the time Of this recital made the
writer an eye witness to the every day
work In certain other features Of this
/ school, especially the work in har
mony. We were glad TO note that
| this course which may be styled the
grammar Of music has been very
materially extended by the present
director Miss McMurphy, whose
/ knowledge of the subject and whose
very unusual ability as lecturer has
converted a course notorious for
drudgery into "a very satisfactory and
4 fascinating line of work The pres
ent course in harmony will compare
/ fayorably with that Of any music
school in the country. 1t is as stiff
course as anything TO be found In the
/ famous trio Latin, Greek and Mathe
MATES, aud as well calculated TO de-
velop mental fibre or otherwise con-
tribute to liberal education. Other
similar lines OF work have also been
extended and the students are fortu-
nate in having for their guide one
who so thoroughly appreciates the
Importance Of these fundamental
| branches.
Miss McMurphy has good reason for
entertaining the very brightest hopes
for the Music school, She rs conf
dent that the results already attained
/ by the piano department will be
equalled by each OF the recently ap-
pointed instructors, which simply
means that every department OF the
Music School is thoroughly capable of
| turning out professional musicians,
/ for all the graduates Of the piano
department are already employed at
lgood nsalaries and meeting With the
/ very best success in their work.
/ It may be claimed that fnasInuch
as the President of the University is
known to appreciate very keenly the
/ imports nce OF music In liberal edu-
cation, while a number Of the regents
are very fond OF music, including one
who is d musician Of extraordinary
ability, that the Music School has
come In for more than its sharesof
favors at the hands OF the present
management and we may as well
admit gratefully that 1t has received
very careful attention., but similar
advances are being made all along the
line. The same disregard for shams
and pretenses and the same conscien-
! tious devotion to real work on sub
Jects OF vital Importance is character
1istic of the whole institution. A spirit
OF earnestness pervades the place and
its effect on the student body is
remark on the tip OF everyone's
tongue. 1t has even made an impress
sion on some of those old students
who have so long enjoyed a reputa
/ tion for their indifference towards
anything resembling work but who
are now undoubtedly coming to real
ize. that this is n9t'a congenial at
mosphere except for those who are in
dead earnest.
Urn AIyrMNJrS