The Adair County news., 1905-10-04
THE ADVlSABlLITY
Adding Vocal Music to the Common
School Course.
Written for The News.l

At first thought, without ma.
ture reflection, it may seem OBJ.
jectionable to a d d another
branch, or rather a drill, to the
present course of study, but when
it is remembered that a drill need
occupy only brief period each
day, it will readily be seen that
proper instruction in vocal music
would be not time and labor
wasted, but spent to the best pos
slble advantage. 1t may be OBJ
jected by some that as a rule
teachers are not we'll informed
on the theory, nor efficient in the
practice of vocal music, and that
some can never become good
singers; but these objections may
be easily met and refuted on the
ground that anyone with good,
common sense, can, in a very
short time, by proper study and
application, become fairly we'll
Informed in the rudiments and
principles underlying the beauti-
full and elevating science of vo-
cal music, and with the fewest
exceptions, by faithful effort,
can train and cultivate the voice
until good, or fairly good, sing
ing will be the result. A few
years ago, when Civil Govern
ment was added to the couse of
study in Kentucky, teachers,
without exception, had to make
special preparation to pass the
examination on this subject, but
now it is one of the easiest sub
jects to pass an examination on
in the course of study, and it
would be the same way with mu-
sic. 1t would require but a short
time to prepare to teach it, and
to pass on it before the board of
examiners. Many other states
have adopted it, and none of
them regret having done so. Let
Kentucky not remain in the rear,
but be up in the front ranks, and
in after years she, too, will re-
joice that she has done so, and
her children will sing correctly
and with much pleasure, my
Old Kentucky Home" in her
praise. If the Legislature will
pass the law, it will be but a
short time until all will be ready
to meet the requirements, be-
cause the principles of music are
so exact and so simple that any
intelligent person can soon pre-
pare to teach this, one of the
most delightful and refining OF
all the sciences. The Greeks
classed music as one of the fine
arts. 1t is both an art and a
science.
Every successful minister will
testify that frst-class music is
one of the most powerful ad-
juncts to a successful meeting.
1t is one Of the strongest incen-
tives to induce people to attend
church. it Inspires the speaker
in the sacred desk to put forth
his best efforts with courage and
zeal, and all those who are de-
lighted, soothed, and charmed by
it's melody and harmony feel in
deed that is good to be there. y
What else exercises such strong
moral and ennobllng influences
on the society of a community as
a well-trained class in music? 1t
is one of the strongest factors in
building up frst-class society in
any section. And if the children
in the common schools were
properly trained, there are nc
valid reasons why there should
not be a good vocal class in al
most every neighborhood, which
would be a prolific source of both
pleasure and profit. Physically,
it is one of the very best exer-
cises, strengthening the lungs
and helping to- ward off pulmo-
nary diseases. Probably the