The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11
Musical Conditions in America
BY ROBERT EILENBERG, Montgomery, Ala.

yt is to be deplored that comparative iy few of the great number of music students in America, ever attain any marked degree of success from an artistic standpoint.
 It is also a fact that the masses at large do not appreciate, or even care for, classical music. This is largely the fault of the vast number of inferior teachers who, through the lack of proper and sufficient musical education. are unable to give the student the right foundation both technically, and musically, for future study.
 The first teacher should be the best obtatnable, and the best teachers. if they have the interests of art at heart, will not hesitate to teach children. or, at least, superintend their instruction through properly trained assistants.
 Given proper foundation, the student should at no time be subjected to the pushing process, which is ire Quently the result of a teachers desire for popularity and commercial success, and, in many cases. is also due to the students. and parents desire for quick results Teachers. pupils and parents are apt to be governed. not by the ex- tent of achievement. but by the mini mum time In which 1t can be accom- plished.
 The outcome of this evil is well illus trated by the majority of young ladies who graduate CD in music from our boarding schools and conservatories. Many are from towns and districts where a knowledge of good music Is as rare as that of sanscrit. Most of them have suffered from the conditions already mentioned, but the pushing process must be continued. Even if the Instructor be ever so concientious he can institute only mild measures of re- form, and in an assurdly small number of years these young ladies must graduate attempting the most difficult works in musical literature. for which they are wholly unequipped
 It is true, there are cases where stu dents from technical. musical, and artistic standpoint. are prepared for the greater works; but otherwise. their performances should be confined to simpler works, which they might learn to play or sing really well. and thus assist, in giving their parents and friends and tho public in general, a desire for hearing good music.
 Generally speaking, these so-called graduates. return home with roper toire, if any. so far beyond even their technical equipment. that they inspire most persons with dislike for their performances. and classical music gets the blame. As no one, not even they themselves. derives any real pleasure from their work they generally degenerate into playing rag time. or singing trashy songs. which the public applauds: and, in such cases the public cannot be blamed
 All students should devote more time to the theory of music. which they too frequently ignore. and without which no one can become truly artistic or de- serving of the name musician.
 The principal requisites for the study of music. as an art. are talent. intellect. patience. and industry. So much sand has been thrown into the eyes of the public regarding this rare quality, tal- ent. tat it is, indeed. difficult to re- move the false ideas so long entertain ed.
 Talent covers a very wide range: it's lowest order consists in a mere sense of rhythm which Is found among saw ages, who possess. however. no real sense of melody. The sense of melody constitutes higher order of talent, and following this may be mentioned the sense of harmony, the sense of counterpoint, the sense of tonal con trast.t the sense of tone coloring, the sense of detail the sense of proportion or form in order to comprehend the composition as whole. and above all, soul-m music. In addition to all this, the successful student must possess intel lect. Intellect which will prevent the emotional nature from obtaining the ascendency, and which will enable the student to calmly comprehend. adopt, and carry into execution. the mechan- ical means and methods which must be mastered before one can successfully,