The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-05-05

- ~ RAFsE - ~ NtkNA AA N+AAh4AEth tA-
ee ta9sat to READ ma>t. is 10 rei
ptine peselapia- eoly tie brightest
sed mest talented ch}iateu IN nv,
ttne, ISN'T the mo>t ereast To tbs
teatl4er.
Whether or not heys and girls carry
on music beyond The hugh school a
knowledge OF 1t NH dotnem infinite
Ely more good IN alter life glan some
soa the studies they pursue duliuI
tleir last four years Think, Tor IN.
stance, Of Latin, algebra or ge-
omejry. No one would thiaS OF
throwing ont these studies for the
knowledge and means of mental
discipline they give but they ale sea-
orally dropped en- lesyiug scHoot,
while music Teuains and takes ON
neH force in the different experiences
OF after life
Harvard University has taken a
great step fol high school music in
otIering four credits in muse ia OF
tile t~wenty.six required for admis-
sion. WHAT does this act signify To
the educational world9 1t is the
foremost institution OF learning. pro-
claiming that the study OF music may
we'll occupy the attention, not only
of the few who will make it a profess
SIGN. but OF the mauy who seek cul-
ture and S~elf-mastefy.
Music from a physical standpoint
alone. is we'll worth considering.
The practice of singing develops the
lungs and Strengthens all the vital
organs. a most striking Illustration
is Germany, known to have fewer
consumptives than any other coun-
try in the world. and there the child
rem are required to sing an hour a
day.
The lhird great benefit of this
study is no less important than the
other two. Indeed we think it the
highest. and the side of the chlld's
training that really receives the least
attention i'll many schools. The
moral side. Is it not as essential to
train the heart as the head? The
words OF songs teach more impressive
lessons OF industry. patriotism, cheer
fulness. reverence, parental love. and
love of beauty in nature than almost
any ether means, and the fact of
their being set to a tune makes them
cling more firmly in the memory.
LET me make the songs of a ma
tion,' said one of the old phllos-
ophers, ''and | care not who makes
its laws
Our smart men are not ali good
men, and many an educated man
wears the cllmlnal's stripes.
II music is a character moulder. let
US have music and lead to the higher
things by appealing to the heart and
the emotions. / believe the soul is
as susceptible of building up as the
body and mind, and as this is the
part which will 90 on forever it GER
tainly does not stand to reason to
give it the least systematic training.
What can be more impressive than
a great-congregation singing in good
form and with heartiness the grand
chorals of the church. Such music is
truly one of the most powerful aids
to Christianity.
Every mother who has music in her
home life can testify to its refining
influence there.
Now public school music deals
chiefly with it as a language teach
ing the fundamental principles 1hor-
oughly, but from language is born
art, and art cannot exist without it.
Rubenstein wisely said: 1.-The study
of the musical language is like that
OF any other language. He who
learns 1T in infancy can become mas
ter OF 1T, but at an advanced aye it
is almost impossible to acquire it,"
One who can read music is more
interested in it and led to make more
Of a study OF it than the one who has
not mastered the language. How linn
tied would be Jul enjoyment of lit
eralure were we dependent upon some
one else to do our reading.
In music, as in all other branches.
the child leans during the first three
or four years of school to read and
the next four and all the rest of mis-
Lie he reads to learn. Obviously
those studies which appeal TO the
mind and heart and are in themselves
educational must rank high in value.
The Chicago school board, realizing
this a year ago. engaged the great
MI. W. L. Tomlins TO instruct the
city teachers during a period of six
months. Other schools set aside each
year a sum for the purchase of music,
pianos, etc., and | have recently
heard of u school which was pre-
sented with a piano player that the
pupils might hear the works of the