Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-08
MUSIC AMERICANIZES
ALIEN RACES, DECLARES
SETTLEMENT WORKER
Matchmaking Influence Broad
and Deep in Fusion of Immi-
grants, Says Miss Eliza
beth Paine
OPENS ART TO POOREST

The nstionaiizing of the people who have
gathered in the big cities Of the United
States and the holding together OF the
immigrant generation with It's American
hedglngs, are results Of the common lows
Of music developed by the music settlements
of the United States.
So Miss Elizabeth Paine, head resident Of
the Music School Settlement Of New York
and at one time resident at the College
Settlement Of Philadelphia, defined the effect
of the music settlement throughout the
country
THE primary object Of the music settIe-
ment," said Miss Paine, who was one Of
the delegates to the convention of the
National Association of Music School
Societies held here this week. rs TO give to
the poorest an opportunity to learn TO sing.
to dance and to play on the instrument he
or she loves best.
but through our common love Of music,
of the workers In the settlement and the
children and adults who come to It. we.
the workers, have found how much deeper
and wider the influence of music Is in the
homes of the working man than we
expected.
BINDS OLD AND NEW.
Music binds together the older genera
ton with the new. That is one good result.
So much in America tends to separate the
old and the new. New customs, different
conditions, and at times different language
separate parents and children. But the
love of the old folk songs the immigrant
brings with him from the old country. The
children inherit an appreciation for the
finest in music; this common taste is a bond
between the two generations and we, the
music settlement, are helping them to
find it."
The weekly attendance Of the Music
Settlement in New York averages 300
pupils, adults and children. The people
of 20 nations. the majority of which are at
war with each other, meet in the settlement.
The idea of music settlement was the
thought of a woman. Miss Amelia Wagner
came from the South, her fiddle under her
arm, determined to give to any one who
wanted II a chance to learn how to play.
Today, in the New York settlement, there
are ninety teachers conducting classes in
piano, violin, singing, harmony, theory and
rhthymic dancing. A community orchestra
and community chorus are also conducted
by the settlement
ToILERS NEED MUSIC.
'"rhe rest of the world sometimes does
not realize that the average workingman
and woman is too tired to concentrate on
lecture. What he wants and needs Is
music. And he is not satisfied with listen
ing to the best, he wants to do something
himself. Our evening classes are composed
almost entirely of men and women who
are employed during the day." explained
Miss Paine
Miss Paine told of the young girls. who,
with little or no material advantages OF
life, were willing to do with less in order
to keep up with their music lessons
Honest, Miss Paine, said one to me-
I don't really need anything. I just don't
need any more clothes or anything better
than what I have, but I just got to have
my music lessons
And" added Miss Paine, "she was n
working girl, helping to support her family
on about Sc week.
but the main object of the settlement
is to give music to those who love 1t for
itself alone. The results follow almost
automatically. Such isI the power OF music
over those who love It."