Grand Forks herald., 1917-03-07
COMING
'''''~ ~O'iItiH INTO ITS OWN

The day was when the musically
interested were compelled to argue
reasons for having music taught in
the public schools Of America. That
day seems never to have existed In
other countries and Is fast forgotten
in this country. One occasionally
hears a faint echo from those trying
taught in the schools. In the older
countries music has been regarded
as above all an essential. A man who
had no musical education, or who
did not play some instrument. or sing
was regarded as among the unedu-
Gated as much as he who could not
speak his native language correctly.
With such leading educators a. q.
Stanley Hall, and our commissioner
Of education. p. p. Claxton. advocat-
Ing music as Of the most vital impor-
is being given its proper place in an
ever increasing number of school sys-
TENS. 1t has always been conceded
as an art but in some places Is en-
bodied as a part Of science course.
In the Los Angeles Polytechnic
high school where fifteen different
curricula are offered, music has its
own outline for a major toward
graduation, the majority Of the efteen
circuits Heeoeo oeAne kTanteo III Mu"
sic.
In most all schools choral work is
maintained. orchestras and bands be-
ing on the increase. Music-apprecia-
t!on and music history with harmony
and sight-singing are being added to
the courses as fast as competent
teachers become available.
The most recent advance taken by
the public schools along musical lines
Is the granting Of credit for outside
music study. This idea has been
and has led to q Standardization of
private teaching and reduction in
the number of lmpostors in the pro-
fession. It has pointed out the short.
comings Of sincere teachers who de-
sire to improve. The public Is pro-
tected against imposition in other
professions such as medicine and law
pared might accept money for mu-
sical services expensive at any price.
Within the past five years the most
progressive schools have taken still
another step and are Offering class
instruction on various instruments as
a part Of the regular curriculum Of
the school. This work 10 done by
private teachers under the super
vision of the music supervisor. Each
pupil contributes rs cents for each
lesson in a class Of ten to twenty
pupils. Other places have reduced
the price to 15 cents and the school
board has paid a partial salary. 9th
er schools have become 10 thorough
ly enthused over the value Of the
work to the schools and city that the
entire salary of such teachers. or
paid by the school board. All les
sons on any instrument are taught
without expense to the pupils, and so
many have taken advantage Of the
opportunity that the cities have felt
entirely justified in the expenditure
Of funds where such q large proper.
ton Of the children are directly
directly served. Tho board of educa-
ton in Richmond. Virginia. has for.
mulated the following benefits to be
derived from the class method: (1)
To teach the pupils to appreciate the
best in pure music; \(2) to train. pos
sibly for a vocation; (a) to help the
school orchestras by training players
Of the violin and other Instruments:
% to arouse interest in music gem
orally throughout the community; (6)
to give manual skill and bodily
poise: (6) to afford another means
Of recreation.
When first inaugurated in Rich
mond there were 1000 enrolled for
class lessons and In less than Q year
over 5000 had requested membership
in the classes. a
In Los:Angelss, California, they are
in their seventh year Of orchestras In
the elementary schools with some l..
200 pupils playing in the various orr
chestras.
In oakland, California. they re-
alixed that II successful orchsstras
and bands are to be developed in the
high schools 1t demanded prepara-
ton in the grades. Two teachers for