The Detroit times., 1911-01-23
MUSIC
|. TEACHERS? NEVER!
Frank Fruttchey, Detroit organist,
Vigorously Assails Bill Prepared by
Michigan Music Teachers Assn.

A bill prepared by the Michigan
Music Teachers association. IN which
II Is proposed to license" musicians,
and which will be brought before the
present legislature, has caused great
deal OF comment among local musi-
clans. The most outspoken Detroit
musician against the bill IL Frank
Fruttchey, the well-known,, organist.
The bill presents the idea that
there is an aggregation OF music
teachers In the state who know and
are to be trusted with picking ont
the right people to teach music" he
said and my contention Is that, In
the very nature oil the development OF
music, there is not and cannot be
such a body. do not say this with
any feeling of hostility to the associa-
ton. many of whose members know
personally.
with the necessarily low state
standard of examination the charlatan
will be given unusual opportunity,
working under state protection. In
other words the registered musician
has a state guarantee that Is sub
ject to abuse. This has been argued
before and the advantage OF organ
iation have outweighed 1t in regard
to general education. Music, however,
is All art, the same as painting aud
poetry. A distinguished Frencbman
said of Whistler's school that he did
not turn out artists, but little Whist
lers.' The criticism is just and Is by
no means solitary In the worlds ex-
perience with art. Ii is harder to give
similar concrete example In music.
because this art is still more elusive
to definition than painting. One SIM
cerely hopes that the art schools Will
not combine and present their little
bill to the legislature, but logically
they ought to be muzzled before music
Is.
From the contents of the bill, the
Michigan Music Teachers association
gives little evidence OF knowing that
educational matters, while still In a
formative period, will ultimately voice
better and greater standard OF hui
man efficiency. They seemingly dse
not aware that American educational
thought is forming itself into a pow
erful factor for the betterment or
the individual and making for a more
intelligent composite nation. Matthew
Arnold says: America holds the I'd
ture OF the world"
"A fine prophecy for America. but
as the greater part Of the music by
which the standard of the bill Is meas.
ured Is revealed to the composer I'M
der what might be termed an indef-
mite Inspiration 1t is pertinent to
remark: Will the prophecy of Mat
thew Arnold be fulfilled IL we legis-
late this indefinite procedure OF the
past into the political and cultural
life of the future.
"Tc saddle this incompetent indef-
mite inspiration upon the present is
suicide for the future. To- ask for
legislation upon such vital elements
of human character before the vari-
GUS schools of thought, philosophy
and religion have come together upon
better common ground relative TO
the usages Of functional consciousness.
Is to smother rather than uncover
that for which all humanity Is In
stinctively searching.
by what just right do the officers
and members OF the Michigan Music
Teachers association seek legislation
upon a matter so elusive as music?
The fact that the bill is ready for
presentation to the legislative bodies
of the state removes 1t from mere
humor to a more serious proposition.
AS Il is not the time or the state for
such legislation II Is TO be hoped, in
case the bill passes the legislature,
that the governor may be persuaded
not to afix the official signature and
seal making II law"