Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-09-04
TIE SCHOOL yF MUSIC

| S0)U ,UUU,UUU IS the StupenIOuS sum
America annually spends for music.
This is three times the amount spent
on the army and navy. Germany,
commonly reputed to be the greatest
musical nation of the world, spends
ten times as much on her army and
navy as on her music The largest
item in the above musical budget is
for musical neutrality-suspicious.
ly $220,000,000. This far exceeds
the sum spent for education in any
profession.
If for no other reason than its
economic Importance the art de-
serves the thoughtful consideration
of every serious minded young per-
son. 1t is an unfortunate mistake to
suppose that one must be a perform
er to be musician order to enjoy
the divine art of the ages. Rare in
deed is the imam who has no music
in his soul" 1t is therefore not
alone to the music student and per-
former but to the ordinary normal
young person anxious to live an
abundant well rounded life that this
message is directed.
There is much to be said in favor
of pursuing at least the first few
years Of a musical education in a
small college rather than in large
city. The atmosphere is more whole
some and elevating, the relationship
between teacher and pupil closer and
more helpful and the expense not
only for the necessities of life but
! for efficient instruction is much more
reasonable. A competent authority
has estimated that over 10000 voices
are ruined annually in America.
| This alarming condition of affairs is
traceable not so much to our colleges
as to the hosts of quack teachers who
congregate in every large city, there
to prey upon the thousands of am
bilious yet innocent young people
who flock thither to win fame.
Alma College has not been back
ward in the maintenance and en-
Famous choruses from the most
popular grand operas will be pre-
sented early in December by the
Choral Club. A May Music Festival
will be held in the spring. An opera,
probably the "Mikado" will be pre-
sented The Glee Club will make a
more extensive tour.
The faculty of the School of Mu-
sic will remain much the same as
last year. The vocal department
which increased nearly 100 per cent
last year will still be under the per-
sonal supervision of Director Reese
Harrington Veatch. He will be as
sisted by Mr.. T. A. Fannell, tenor, a
graduate of the Kansas Wesleyan
University College Of Music, and
Miss Bonnie Fuller who will prepare
soprano and contralto voices for Mr..
Veatch's later tuition.
Miss Grace DUNCAN Roberts, who
is now in Europe, will again have
charge Of the piano department. She
will be assisted by Miss Theo Maud
Amsbury and Miss Florence Rozema,
both graduates under her successful
methods Of teaching. The instruc-
tor in violin and orchestral instru-
ments has not yet been selected but
the matter will be settled in the near
future. He will also act as concert
master of the College Orchestra.
The theoretical work including
Harmony, Theory of Music, Counter
point, Musical History and Appre-
citation of Music will be under the |
direction of Mr.. Fannell and Mr..
Veatch.
Miss Fuller, who possesses state
life certificate in Public School Mu-
sic and has taught that subject sue
cessfully for four years, will have
charge of the first years work in
Public School Music. This is a new
course especially designed according
to suggestions received from promi-
nent Michigan superintendent. AS
the Alma College kindergarten work
has won a unique position so the
School Of Music desires to develop
strong course for the training Of |
teachers Of Public School Music
Only High School graduates will be