New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-13
HOW TO SAVE $50, 900.
GrOut'S Examiner Reports on Music
IN the Schools.

Mrs. Mathilde Coffin Ford. Controller CIRCUITS eX-
aminer Of alleged eXtravagances in the Board OF
Education. has turned in 10 the Controller
elaborate report on Music in the Elementary
Schools Mrs Ford says that the Board Of Edu-
cation could save $4,000 a year by eliminating
special supervision those classes and teachers
where the teacher is palpably competent TO give
instruction IN elementary music. This is the plan
followed in Boston she says. and she says that
New-York should initiate Boston in this respect.
She finds that the course OF music in the element
airy schools is heavy. The report continues:
The work outlined is too difficult and there is too
much OF IL The science of music should not be
attempted in the elementary schools. There is 10
time for il any reason why it should be taught
among principals and teachers that the course in
years ago the Teachers Association of Manhattan
ara and The Bronx after careful CONSIDERATION OF
with view TO possible changes or improvements
port which contained the following striking and
very significant conclusion;
STUDS + ilsi6ed Sv its Culture value n exerts
upon school discipline.
There Is. however general complaint that our
teachers. The course is regarded as particularly
Notwithstanding the deep feeling among repre-
sentative principals and teachers which prompted
such unqualified protest against the amount OF
work required in this branch, the new course OF
requirements in the several classes in the ele
BY, the, time the class teacher does all that IS
required by the music supervisor. the drawing SUI
pervisor. the physical training supervisor the SUI
shop teacher. there IS Ettle time left Cor reading
spelling and orithmetic. The very method Of hav-
ing special supervisors for certain subjects natu-
Ta!y leads TO the neglect of all branches which are
There are three directors IN charge II the teach
lng OF music in the several boroughs: Frank Dam
Bronx: Albert s Caswell, director OF music in the
Borough Of Brooklyn, and Frank Z. Rix. director
Queens Richmond
There are hfty-two special teachers Of music
tor Brooklyn. seven for Queens and four for Rich
Male directors Of music receive $500 for the first
until the and 81 annual infrease OF $e
=, special o teachers of music. II women receive
increase OF 500 until the maximum OF H.4o0 is
a. an annual increase OF 800 until the maximum OF
An Investigation % the actual conditions in the
schools shows that in many Instances as large a
proportion as o2e-half OF tho teachers In school
are able TO teach music without special assistance
as the course Of study Is and II il
able 70 do so some schools should be left entirely
70 the principal In charge. superintendent by the
School No lI6 Manhattan with eSceIieht Re-.
SUITS. Doubtless a large number OF principals are
become SO II they were called upon TO assume that
with the extension Of the school system its COM
plexity has Increased and supervisory officers have
teacher is now directly Supervised by principal
piIHcllid, sfecial tedcner or music
a special teacher Of drawing "A special teacher Of
sewing, and special teacher OF physical training
and is indirectly supervised by director OF music
director OF drawing, a director Of sewing. d.
dent. division associate superintendent. and
the city superintendent.
IN case the principal is especially skilled I'm one
OF the special subjects. his entire school should
designated one in which assistance Of a special
teacher !n that particular subject is not required
After music drawing and constructive work are
most in need OF supervision, but If the course Of
study were shorn Of techncalities and superhuties
II Is likely that 90 per Of the class teachers
themselves could be excused from supervision by
special teachers.