The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-11-04
!: THE MUSICAL CORNER /
CONDUCTED BY 4. A. THOMPSON, I
Violin Maker and Teacher.
Does the Profession of Music Pay7

| 1t has been commented upon that mu-
sicians frequently end their days in
poverty instead of having modest
competency to make pleasant the last
years of their lives. 1t is not needfu!
to recount why this is the case. There
are many reasons, all well known to
our readers; but one thing is certain,
it is not as rule because the earnings
have been so scanty as not to admit Of
saving.
Many music teachers (of course, we
refer to men) commence their profess
sional life before they are 20 years of
age. If they live to so there are 40
years of active teaching and other MI
steal work, enough to have gathered to-
gether little sum for a home Of an
nuity if desired. How many mechanics
or artisans earn more in a year than the
average male musician or music teach
err? And yet many of the working class
provide for old age. The point is that
w
to the provision of the future. They
live too well in the present. Another
element comes in. A broker tells us
that professional men are very apt to
invest their savings in concerns that
promise high interest. They are desir-
Gus of large returns and fail to consider
the security. They are also rather cas-
lily persuaded to speculate, with the re-
suit that their savings are often lost.
some money. and he wishes to invest it,
his best plan is to seek out some stocks
or bonds of the gilt edged quality and
be content with low rate of interest
in return for safety. Other musicians
to our knowledge have invested their
savings in real estate and mortgages
secured by real estate. We want to
urge all young teachers to make it a
point that each year shall see some
thing laid aside for old age.
There is no question but that all over
this great country, at pleasure resorts,
at picnic grounds, parks and wherever
the public gathers in large numbers, mu-
sic is to be heard We shall not discuss
the kind of music, but nevertheless it is
remunerative to those who are willing
to be employed for that purpose. Now
since the federation of musicians have
put the stamp of disapproval on rag
time. no doubt we shall not have so
much of it in the future. That, like ev-
cry other fad will have its period and
vanish, but music of better class will
always remain; and those who fit them
selves for its demands will always be in
demand. If those who love music and
wish for its highest gain instead of
merely frowning upon the light music
commonly played would ask for or de-
mand "a better grade, or at least more of
it than is at present the rule, something
could be done or secured of better ma
ture.
In the smaller towns is where some
thing or much can be done. If the band
is given to open air or public concerts,
make it your business to find out what
the leader has selected, and with others
make your requests. He will appreci-
ate it and if he be an intelligent and
competent musician he will be only too
glad and ready to do it. But be sure
that the music you ask for has the quail
tiles to attract and please the public,
which should be clear, pleasing melody
and strong rythm, always selecting mu-
sic to suit the occasion. 1t is always
easier to improve upon existing condi-
lions than to make revolution by
changing everything at once. Gain all
you can at first and persist on that line
and the standard will certainly be ele-
waited. Musicians generally should be
on the alert to do something for their
own communities. The general eleva-
ton is then certain.
Question-How much time should be
devoted to practice? Is onehalf hour