Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-09-15

close with the suggestion, that ike
terms used in National federation, we
might have literature and library ex-
tension rather than literature and art
The art goes in with arts and crafts
thereby avoiding confusion OF the two
departments.
Teaching Singing in Rural. Schools.
In her report as chairman of the de-
partment of music, Miss Angie Star
bird of Lewiston spoke especially OF
the importance Of teaching music In
the rural schools. She said: I
The spirit Of music is surely grow
ing in the State Of Maine. During
the past season your chairman ana
committee on music have been try
ing to find the pulse of the rural
communities in regard to music ana
in nearly every instance the resul.
has been satisfactory. 1t is surpris-
ing how the interest and apprecia-
ton is growing in many cases through
the children in their study of piano
and violin and in their study OF piano
means Of the Victrola.
It has been my pleasure and duty
during the summer weeks to partici-
pate in several affairs in the country
and the change in the interest AMI
attention was most gratifying. The
rural communities are demanding bet
ter music and in many instances are
arranging for the regular teaching of
music in their schools and the install
lation Of Victrolas is comman oc-
currence.
It is interesting to find the super
intendents themselves getting alive
personally to the value and beauty of
music. The methods of putting music
before the ungraded school is a ques
ton but in 81 cases 1t has been prove1
commendable. The outline is simply
starting with a bit Of history and
making out the principles of music in
simple way, arousing an interest
and desire for more, hoping that the
desire will find words and fruition
at home and through the community
need will be felt and again, a child
shall lead them to the necessity of
putting music regularly into their
schools.
l have received good reports from
community work In one town, the
work began in little way, just meet
ing from house to house, just singing
the old songs and the new and as time
went on working up programs, every
one who could do even a little adding
his suggestions. Then the chorue
was asked to sing in church and then
a great pleasure. as well as profit
came to that town.
We are trying to plant seeds which
we trust will be watered and tended
- 81 ;y,%1 nd
endeavor on the part of all music low
ers in the State.
Music at the Biennial.
Straight from the shoulder critic.
ism of some conditions at the Bien-
NAL in New York in June were made
by Mrs. Annie H. Farnham Of the
Augusta Study Club, delegate from
the Maine Federation. In her report
for the department of music, Mrs.
Farnham said:
The first music conference was held
in connection with the luncheon on
May "a at Hotel Aston, that modern
Temple of Mammon where the unfor-
tunate delegates were hustled and
hustled and instructed to step lively
and otherwise made to feel our in
feriority to the New York dwelle:.
Neither my purse nor my digestion
admitted of my attending this func-
ton, but l modestly brought up the
rear and heard the reports. of dele
gates. There were four ladies ap-
pointed to speak for the four geogra-
phical sections of the country, and l
regret to say that the one who spoke
for our section was too much occu-
! MI ~, he, fr,1p
telling amusing anecdotes to give any
idea of what New England and the
East in general is doing for music.
She was from dear old Boston" and
think her name was Jones, which is
not very definite. But the other dele
gates were all anxious to have their
sections show upa.As we'll as possible
and told much of interest.
Mrs. w. r. Chapman, so we'll known
to Maine people. made an interesting
address and spoke of the increasing
tendency to introduce music as part
of the course of study in schools and
colleges. credits being given therefor.
In thirteen states music has taken its
place in the college curriculum.
| The western states had enthusiastic
reports. Idaho has two free conser-
vatories Of music. In Oregon. some of
the high schools are trying the expert
ment of having one concert a month
by good artists for the pupils. An
effort is being made to get credits for
music in the public schools. In Michs
igan similar school concerts are given.
the programs being made up partly of
works by local composers and also of
little compositions by the pupils that
show talent. Lectures are given on
music in the schools, also on the con-
struction of the pipe organ, ETC.. and
there is much interest in school or
chestras. Music is allowed to make
up rs per cent of the credits for
graduation. Similar reports came
from, other states and showed enthu