The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-13
MRS. CLUTTER DEFENDS MUSIC
IN THE. PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Editor Pensacola Journal
am very glad that the subject of
music in the public schools is now
being agitated. I have wondered for
several years why 1t was not done.
presumed, though, that the time was
not yet ripe" There seems to be n
misunderstanding, however, as to the
way 1t Is taught; 1t Is not done in a
haphazard fashion, by anyone who can
sing; on the contrary. there is a sys-
tenn to be learned by the one who
teaches 1t. Chicago, and no doubt all
the large cities, have schools for that
purpose. A three months course
would be sufficient II one already has
knowledge of music. The dora
me" system has long since passed
away. with the books our forefathers
studied, and we must keep abreast
with the times In music as in every
thing else. I am strongly in favor of
music in the schools, for not only is 1t
a benefit but also a relaxation and
recreation. We cannot all become
PATHS and Carusos, neither can we all
become college professors, and as
every one knows, a great many studies
are taught in school that we never
use in after life, but taken all together
lIlCJ klNC 10 one WGll-EOunu6u COu-
cation. I do not know of any place
where good music Is at such low
premium as in Pensacola, and I am
at a loss to account for 1t. We have
as intellectual people here as any
where, people who travel, read and
think, but 1t is a fact that very few
look upon music except as a pastime.
Our only hope is in educating the
Hhfi6yey1s their minds a ra1o CT
as well as more tenacious; we never
forget impressions received in child
hood. Why do we go abroad when we
wish to become finished musicians?
Because one only hears the best music
there; 1t is taught from babyhood;
they hear nothing else; their minds
are not poisoned by rag time" which
is as pleasing to a music-lover's ear
as the tom-to of the Igorrotes.
There music is considered seriously;
men give their entire lives to it, and
their knowledge is handed down from
generation to generation. If anyone
doubts 1t they need only read the
biographies of the most famous must
clans.
When in Ohio, my native state, a
few years ago, l spent one entire day
with the music teacher in the public
schools at Chillicothe, having about
$4,000 inhabitants, all white, or very
nearly all. She was a friend Of mine,
and had just returned from a three
months course of study In Chicago.
Her salary was SIS per month and
her entire time was given to II. She
was not voice teacher at all; in fact,
her voice. was but mediocre, though
very pleasing. She began with the
smallest children, giving each room Is
minutes instruction, and 1t was in
deed a pleasure to me to witness the
joyful anticipation upon their faces.
The teachers told me that the children
looked forward to it as the most pleas
ant part Of the day. Our last visit
was made with the high school pupils
in their beautiful auditorium. where
half an hour was given to the study
of some beautiful oratorios.
In Cincinnati at the present time
the schol children are being taught
only the finest of music, and it is
wonderful how quickly they grasp the
idea of the composers. Last May dur
ing the festival, 5000 school children
sang 1.-THE Beatitudes, - new oratorio,
and IL was the Init" of the season.
MAY CLUTTER.