The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-01-11
HANCOCK
TRAINING YOUNG SINGERS !
FOR OPERA PRESENTATION
o,,Dus of Hancock Schools Being
trained to Sing patience" by Prot.
collom, Who Gives His Views
on Music in the Schools.

ON saturday morning last those who
had occasion to visit the offices OF
,be treasurer and the city clerk I'm the
oitv hail building, heard with some
wonderment the sounds of music COM
AM, from the big council chamber and
some may have thought 1t was the al
dermen and others getting their voices
in shape for the spring campaign. A
Glance through the doorway revealed
the cause of the connection.
Facing music rack stood Pro-
eessor Lamont A. COLON, supervisor of
mssic in the Hancock public schools
waving a baton, somewhat after the
fashion of Signor D'Urbano, while in
front of him were seated two score
~ more young ladies who sang lus-
div in response to his urging, IRA
Ia IN In. ira Ia la la, ira la In la la Ia
they sang, the tune being the chorus
Of the GovesiclI maidens' in the Gill
bert and sullivan opera to be presented
next spring by the local high school
puplls. A reporter who dropped in,
wanted to ask the professor how he
trains his vocalists and also to get
some general ideas on musical edu-
cation I'm the schools concerning which
there has been more or less discus
sion since the Escanaba schools de-
clded to drop the study OF music The
professor was too busy to talk while
the opera rehearsal was in progress
but he made an appointment for the
reporter 60 call on him at the school
Monday morning.
do, re, me, ia, me, re, do, do. mi,
sol" The sound came through the
partially open door of one of the low
err grades of the Central primary
school, where forty youngsters chant
al 'he refrain, as Prof. COLON, point
er in hand, indicated the notes on a
large chart. Again and again the
exercise was repeated, occasionally
with variations, but with astonishing
was a class of raw recruits practicing
an elementary vocal lesson at the
very beginning Of course of instruc-
ton constituting a part of the educa-
ton of every child i'm the Hancock
public schools.
Just why music. as taught in the
Hancock schools, should be termed a
special study" said Prof. COLON. lis
not clear to one who takes the trouble
To investigate. True, music was not
In, h.
grandparents; but today 1t is just
as much a part of the course as those
branches mention of whose abolition
would arouse n storm of protest that
would not down. Music is not pro-
jected upon the pupils mind to the
exclusion Of other studies. 1t is made
corelative with all other lines of in
struction and the working out of this
scheme which brings the child by easy
stages up from the possessor of a single
tone which he does not know how to
employ properly, to capable vocalist
and finished sight reader fitted for
taking rank with the best in this re-
spect is an interesting process"
AaAfN oNNP III lteiIiliiB -
taken in the first grade. 1t isn't
much at first, but 1t is a beginning and
Prof Colon very wisely takes the
stand that it is better to do a little
well than to achieve much that is me-
diocre. The first instruction Is in a
sense training and tone work. Many
children at this age sing entirely in
duh monotone, and ii is essential
mat they be taught to recognize tones
and reproduce them. This is accom-
pIlshed by having them practice little
songs and airs until thoroughly famil-
lar with them.
The children are drilled regularly
lhlelligontly. 1t is not enough that
they memorize few popular airs and
shout their little heads off trying to
Guido each other in the matter OF
volume. Every step is taken with a
ueHhlte end In view, and that end is
giving the pupils thorough knowledge
of music just as they are taught ia
READ or familiarized with mathematics
In the first and second grades chart
ana tone work occupies practically al
the allotted time, and II is here that
the most interesting sights are to be
witnessed The serious manner in
winch these little students of voice
culture buckle down to the task be-
lore Them. the enthusiasm with which
'hey enter into the work, for it is
work Just as much as the mastery OF
any other branch, furnishes wei.
como surprise that increases as fur.
'hef development is noted.
q me third grade marks the adven,
vi 'he primer, and from here on up tc
'ne nigh school the work is progress.
sNe' The pupils are required to learr
oh an average ten songs term. ant
from the fourth grade on part sing
ing Is prominent feature. wher
'ne eighth grade is passed instruction
Eases save for the glee club at tn,
central high school,
The Music Period.
one hour and a half week Is de-