The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-12-30
By KENDRICK SCoFIELD,

the system in use in the National
Capital.
By KENDRICK ScoFIELD.
Not so many years ago the educators
of the land regarded the study Of mu-
sic as more or less impractical draw
ing room accomplishment. which enter
ed into the needs Of the school only to
the extent Of enabling the pupils. gath
cred In weekly assembly. to Join intel
ligently In the morning hymn.
But today more and more OF them are
declaring that music - quite as great
an Item In the educational needs Of n
normal student as are reading. writing,
and arithmetic, after the pupil has mas
tered the fundamentals OF these sub
jects.
Dr.. P. P. Ciaxton. United States Com
missioner OF Education, Is one Of the
men who urge that the study Of music
should be given serious consideration
oy public schools. He says:
Good music Is necessary. not only
TOT enjoyment and recreation, but
also Tor inspiration and salvation
from death in the din and dust Of
trade: and this music should be
democratic In its best and truest
sense
Practical Value Urged.
Although not recognized in the
course Of study OF our earliest pub
lie schools. music has. within the
last twenty-five or thirty years
been introduced into the schools Of
most progressive cities ana many
towns. villages and country COM
munities, though by many IL II still
considered unessential and fad
Sooner or later we shall not only
recognize the culture value OF mu-
sic, but shall also begin to under
stand that after the beginnings Of
reading. writing, arithmetic, and
geometry. music has a greater prao-
teal value than any other subject
taught in the schools.
Supt- Z. l. Thurston of the District
public schools also recognizes the val
ue OF music as a study. and when q
struction. either in voice culture. the
piano, organ or some instrument OF
the symphonic orchestra, under a COM
petent instructor. the superintendent is
Wiling to credit such work as a major
subject, under certain conditions, and
permit 1t to count regularly toward
sych pupils graduation average. Mr..
Thurston declares that 50 successful
has been the music course OF the pub
lie schools-that which Is regularly pre-
scribed in the school curriculum a.
well as the special study under com
petent outside instructorEthat many
requests have been received from oths-
educational institutions for the details
Of the system followed here.
How Plan Is Worked.
In general. the plan which Is in op-
GRAFTON in the Washington schools pro-
vides that any high school pupil wish
ing to take advantage Of credits gained
from the outside study Of music must
request such credit through the pupils
parent or guardian. VINO must agree 10
the conditions imposed by the school
Among the conditions imposed 10 an
agreement from the private teacher
that he will prepare a statement shoT-
ing the pupils proficiency and also
furnish further information as to the
progress OF the pupil for purposes OF
examination and record by the school
authorities.
The pupil Is also required to present
himself for examination before an ex-
aiming committee consisting OF the
teacher Of music In the high school de-
partment. and two recognized teachers
of music to be recommended to and
approved by the director OF music OF
the schools.
major part OF his high school course .
pupil must take not less than two half
hour lessons or one full-hour lesson
week. and must practice at least SIX
full hours a week The music lessons
must also be taken during the full term
for which credit is desired.
II lessons or practice Be lost Shsy
must be made up before the end OF the
semester and the student must also
take all the music offered in the school
course.
Study of Music Spreads.
The Bureau OF Education has ssoent-
" received a report from Director OF
Music Will Earhart, OF the Pittsourgh
schools. dealing with the general sub
fect of music IN the public schools OF
the United States.
According to Mr.. Earha-t. about 20
per cent OF the schools OF this country
now require music, and practically all
of these have the course graded The
weakness of the present system, IN Mr..
Earhart's view Is that only a small
percentage OF the grade teachers are
required TO pass an examination in mu-
sic The work OF the schools is done
largely through supervisors and direc-
tors Of music.
Ten per cent OF the schools, accord
ing 10 the figures OF the Bureau OF
Education. have pianos; half that num-
Der have organs
The order OF popularity with the stu
dent in regard to music reverses ex-
actly the order that the school authort-
ties desire. as the students regard mu-
sic first from the standpoint of appre-
citation then history. and, lastly. har-
mony Mr. Earhart finds that the less
formal and academic the plan the
greater its popularity.