Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-06
Music in Richmond
Edited by John George I,nrri.


Public school Music.
INC citizens OF Richmond may well
t IN, Sra,mlatc themselves on the way
schools. Modern methods. as recon-
miendcd by the leading authorities. arc
~ force here. Moreover. il is evident
that VIC have nj the head OF The mus
cal side of the city'S educational stan
Inc who have not only high ability.
oul breadth of vision aud AN opcn
,!inn. The school children OF Richmond
nave cNccpiional advantages along
musical lines. and the result OF the
splendid methods is already felt ia the
larger music life of the city.
theorists have elaborated upon tho
prrHper course in the training Of tho
primary training should begin with
simple songs. leaving the matter OF
reh1inG music and learning the notation
and marks OF rhythm until Il later day
ENactly this method is practiccd ia tho
Richmond schools. With the second
EradcS the children sing simple mclo-
primers adapted to grades. proceeding
as the pupil advances in grade unti The
SeNHnth and eighth grades. when The
pupil having reached approximately
the age OF thirteen Years lie is pos
scssed of fHir working knowicd-, or
elementary harmony. with the ability
20 read AT sight. to tranSpoSc simple
n,ctoulcS. 10 recognize keys and tim"
sig natures. to rcarrnn"c music and cor
rect obvious errors therein This is
preparation which is CiVCu ~ all alike
taer which the inherently musical
puDil may continue ami advance aS
Tar as he likes, but with II foundation
well laid and learned III his school
curriculum.
The problem OF piano practice has
peer pee" solved also Who cannot rcmcm-
induce the pupil to complete her hour
or so of piano practice between les
sons from th's private teacher Now,
the remedy is simple. Mr.. Mercer has
prescribed II. For the past year tn"
pupil has hccn privileged TO receive
credit for home practice in piano ana
to accept his instruction from his own
private teacher. Thus. piano practice
assumes the same Importance in the
eyes OF the nupi! which he accords TO
his science or mathematics. To assure
a high standard OF private piano in
struction. teachers must comply with
certain rcEulntions aud must make re.
uuircd certificates to the director OF
music OF the schools aS To the stand
ing of the pupil, not only. but tho
standing of the teacher. II is impos-
sole TO estimate the benefits to he
obtained from so thorough a system as
this nor the incentive to music study.
In addition to the music classes in
tho school work. pupils have tin" option
TO elect musical appreciation. which
is conducted under Mir Watsrn's guild
ancc. To these classes teachers as well
was privileScd TO attend ono Of these
classes. in which the fuGuc Was under
consideration. The form and construc-
ton OF the fusue was set forth, cX-
amplcs given and excerpts played. Tho
subject is fascinating. and. AZ handled
by Mr.. Watson. gives splendid pre-
paration TOR the hearing and under
standing Of great works OF music, or
chcStral rccitalS and. the like.
Ensemble singing by the, higher
grade pupils is also a part OF the work
Music OF greater difficulty is under
taken here than in other pupils as
scmblies. Mr. Mercer recalls that sew
cral OF the city's best known singers
were once members OF the ensemble
in the school singing. and To this
probably these would aScrihc not a
little OF their musical training. In the
past childrcn'S choruscs wcr" n great
feature OF tho Wednesday club festi-
walls. as far back as fifteen years ago
these were in their asccndcncy. and
tho city of Richmond Was one Of the
pioneers in this movement; so much so.
indeed. that letters o.: inquiry poured
into tho city from other places, their
writer's desiring information as TO the
methods employed and the kind OF
training required. 1t may be recalled
by musicians Of tho city that at one
such festival the children's chorus sang
the second ac; Of Martha" with solo
lists and orchestra.
This is tho year when an opera will
he given by tho public school chorus
NO selection has been made. and the