New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-08
FRANK DAMROSCH PROTESTS
Opposes Proposed Change in Musical
Tuition in Public Schools.

To the Editor OF Inc lflDune'
Sir: At a recent meeting Of the Board
o. Education a resolution was onered D.
Arthur S. Somers that the teaching OF
music during the first six years be con-
fined to singing work exclusively.
The adoption OF this resolution wouid
mean the adjustment of all musical IN
struction I'm the first six years OF the pup
lie schools, rote singing taking It's place
Any one who knows what were the condl-
tons in our schools when the latter
method was in use will realize the terrible
mistake OF returning TO II. In 1891 the
Board Of Education, recognizing the heces-
sty of bringing order into the then pre-
yailing chaos existing in the work III
music, placed the department in charge Oh
a musician. who. with assistants IN every
school district, instructed the grade teach-
ers how to give the simple elementary les
sons In music. Wherever the principals
and the teachers co-operated ioyaiiy VII"
the music teachers the results were re-
markable. Schools which had been shout
ing noisy, commonplace songs now iearheu
10 sing with lovely quality OF tone anu
with musical expression. and they soon
epioved singing songs Of real merit III
place of the trash which had formerly
been used. These results were obtained
without demanding more time than TOT
merly OF the pupils-only one hour
week. divided into ten TO thirty minute
periods, according TO the grade care was
taken not TO make the instruction techhi-
cal but the children were taught o.!
easy stages TO sing simple MELODIES from
rotes. And now il is proposed 10 uhoo a''
this good work. this step ahead IN CIVIL
za,ion and 10 60 back TO the methods OF
the village school.
By this retrogression New York, the
metropolis. would place itself below the
smallest town in New England or In tne
Western States. Go where you VIII
and YOU will find the children OF the
public schools singing part songs from
notes. The best educators in the coul'
try consider that the physical and mental
devnIonment resulting from the study OF
music I'm schools-tllat is. OF sieht sihs'hs
lis fully equal II not superior 10 t"a'
OF any other subject II trains tne eye
the ear and the organs OF speech. develops
the lungs and stimulates the Draln. ~
Develops concentration, attention. opeol-
ence and rapid action Of the MIND ana IL
is therefore. a most valuable preparation
and aid in IN. study OF any and all other
subjects.
The proposition is simply outrageous
and should not be tolerated for one mo-
ment by the citizens OF New York Inc
onlv excuse for even suggesting II is 'ha'
IN. importance Of the subject Is not re.
allied. Even II It were ultimately founo
desirable to pass the resolution IL shouiu
no, he adopted until after competent men
and women had thoroughly STUDIED ,he
conditions. But 10 railroad ~ thro"sn III
two consecutive meetings OF the ooar" Is
neither just nor wise, and !, FOR one as
citizen. protest against 1t, and call upon
every man and woman who agrees WIN
me TO make known TO the Board OF Eau
cation their determination that the teach,
ing Of sight singing In our schools must
no, bc abolished
NV ~ FRANK DAMRoScH.
New York. Feb. :. 1918.