Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-17
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GA:MVSIC 81
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by HENRIETTA VI. REEFS.

Teachers. held at Pittsburgh.
and the other the first annual
q, vention OF the American GULL @
~ ganists, which has chapters all over
tie United states. The principal subjects {
discussed by the teachers were music in
the public schools and its accrediting.
tho question OF appointing an official
ir usician in city, state and nation.
naturalization in teaching and other
subjects of interest to the profession. At
the second the papers read and the dis
crssions referred more particularly to
church and organ music. Some of the
lapers dealt with the influence OF the
quartet choir. church music. what con
stitutes a church organist, and the organ
As concert instrument. Arthur Foote,
the well known composer, read a paper
upon the value OF the Guild examinations
winch are presented each year, to raise
the standard of efficiency of organists by
examinations in organ playing theory OF
rUisc and In general musical knowledge.
These conventions show the tendency
of workers In musical lines to organize
for the uplifting and advancement of the
art OF music, a tendency which is grow
ing all over the United States. 1t shows
a realization on the part of those who
know the problems and difficulties OF tho
profession that concerted effort will do
much TO hasten music 70 an honored place
in the lives of the people in our country,
and viii be able TO accomplish many
things which would be impossible by in
diyidual effort.
Personally, the writer is strongly I'm
favor of such examinations as those Of
feed by the American Guild Of Organists.
They are of high standard, aim to be
far reaching and broad, and demand
more from the applicant than mere vir-
tioSity upon an instrument. If some
scheme of examination along similar
lines could be worked out for each line
OF musical endeavor, and be put into use
right in our city. it might do much good
for our aspiring students. In Lincoln
high school music counts in the semi
annual examinations as any other major
study toward graduation. Here we have
none, and many. students, both in and
out of the high school, need a musical
examination very much In order that they
may have some idea Of how much they
really know These examinations are an
incentive to the young student, not only
- become more skilled in actual per-
w. ee, but to broaden his general
musicianship. These examinations pos
cess q value In that they afford a stimu-
lus to the student. An athlete may not
win in competition, but in order to com
pete at all he has had to develop a fine
constitution and we'll trained muscles in
the weeks and months of preparation,
which he has undergone. The examination
in itssif may not hit upon everything
one knows, or it may hit upon many
things which a person does not know, but
The chief value to the applicant is in the
preparation. which he has put in previous
to its happening. They cause one TO
think quickly, to condenso his musical
knowledge, and they bring an active
realization OF the things in witch he is
lacking.
Human nature is really very amusing,
and 1t is manifested just as much in-the
musical world as anywhere. Everywhere
in the United States and especially in
Omaha. are many very talented people.
and everywhere In the United States and
especially in. Omaha nine-tenths of these
people will not work. Many people who
are slightly al and feel out of sorts go to
a doctor. thinking they are sick The
trouble is they do not take enough ex-
ercise. He advises them to take a five
mile walk every day. They look virtuous
and think they will, and maybe they do
Try walking q mile and q half for day
or Two, but then they decide that is too
much work, so, after while they try
another doctor. This one says nothing
about walking but advises golf. And
the very same person who would not walk
five miles for the good of his health,
win get out with set of clubs and.
with here and there a putting green as
an incentive, will chase the little white
bah five miles and more and not think
anything about It, The same way with
these talented people. Their music needs
more exercise. The same idea of prac-
ticing several hours a day and reading
elevating musical literature is not in
spring but IL You put up a musical ex-
animation now and then as an open Sc
same TO something desirable or as the
forerunner OF a diploma or other mark
OF honor, they will work and read and go
into training TO see if they can do il, and
when they have by this means developed
a healthy musical constitution, the
chances are ten 10 one that they will
look about for new fields 10 conquer.
What difference does it make whether
one looks at the top OF a hill when he
begins to climb and works toward II or
If one looks first at one huge rock and
thinks he viii climb to II, and then TO
another. and 90 on. until he reaches the
top?
Why wouldn't it be a nice thing to
have the city or the Board of Education
or some other responsible organization
offer examinations for music students
from time TO time, and at the end Of
several years when they are able to pass
a good stiff one demanding much In the
way OF musicianship from the applicant,
TO give them a diploma stating that they
have done this work in the city, and that
they arc supposed 20 know a certain
amount about the subject?
Musical Notes.
The joint recital by Alma Gluok,