The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-03
MORE MUSIC NEEDED
IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

frank Dasnrosch Believes Music 30
longs Side by Side with Reading.
Spelling and Arithmetic.
The United States win never at
tain a reputation an nation of rnu-
steal peopie-that is reputation In
keeping with the standing she has
won in the world nations In other
respects--until the question of music
in the schools In treated more serious
Iy. True we have music in the schools
but we have need of more.
). Tn Bohemia every child must learn
music. and if possible sing In church.
said the celebrated Dvorak who adds
II think this law explains the develop
rnent OF 40 much talent for music In
my country. 1t In not only the gpysiea
and their music that are the respon-
aible factors. There are the beautiful
national 'Cherales' which the people
no dearly love. They sing them 90
they work in the aeids. and tho spirit
OF music enters into their souls"
A philosophical gentleman who
sees the great gain that would come
to the citizenship of this counht 4
through attaching greater Importance
to the musical education or the young
of all classes rich and poor alike. was
expressing his hopes 60 the writer
He saw that this rested largely with
the public schools. that the solution
was In the hands OF parents and edu-
gators. TO supplement his consen-
ton, he produced these statements BY
Frank Damroach which certainly
speak In no uncertain tone:
Nnsac More Than an Accoanpi tmhrnea&.
The great mistake which has been
made In the past IN. that we have
looked upon musto merely as q pas
time. and accomplishment. Were this
all we could expect Of music IL would
have no place whatever In popular
education. But good music can be
and should DO of tho greatest spiritual
Influence upon human character. II
elevatea, IL ameliorates. II inspires. II
encourages, It comforts. 1t speaks with
the tongue OF angels and tells OF
heavenly things. Good music Is nSver
desenerating. 1t never suggests low
end vulgar thoughts, but 1t is con-
tinually lifting men away from the low
and worldly to purer and nooler
thoughts and aims.
TO Give Every Child Chance to
Deceme Musical.
Music should have place I'm every
school for rich and poor alike: not IN
the old fashioned way. by teaching
the children to shout songs by route.
but by teaching them to sing from
notes, I'm order that In after life the
treasures OF music may be availahle
TO them. jusa as by learning TO read
books the treasures of literature have
been made their own.
LET music take It's place aldo nv
aide with spelling. reading and arith-
nsstic The regular class teacher can
do as much good with the rudim ents
OF music instruction as she can with
other subjects. II abe IN made familiar
with the simple pedagogical principles
which underlis the best methods OF
eight singing.
"As a musician. I offer my sinoers
homage to the educator FOR showing
us the path by which music. wA 'ch IN
It's higher forms has been the exclu-
slve property OF the talented or the
rich, can be populartzed and orouAht
into the daily life Of the peopl@.
LAS a teacher. / rejoice and take
pride and courage in the fellowship OF
those who are devoting their best eff
forts 10 the development Of q bettsr
and higher manhood and woTnanhood,
glory and prosperity of their beloved
thus contributing more to the lasting
country than can ever be achieved by
the greatest warrior or statesman.
Beauties of Music Accessible TO
Everyone
ITO Introduce music properly into
the public schools very iittls prepara-
ton Ia necessary and comparatively
little additional expense ned be in
cured. With one supervisor OF nsu-
sic, who Ia a competent teacher ana
musician. to every ten large schools,
to instruct the regular class tsachers,
and. by weekly visits to each class
room, to supervise their work. the
best results may be obtained. Such
an arrangement insures uniformly OF
very important requisite 70
succe@s-an6 causes the least loss Of
time and effort Ten minutes day.
or in the higher grades fifty minutes
y week. In any division convenient 30
the teacher. will. In the usual school
period from the age OF six to four
teen. produce such results as to sur
prise even the most sanguine,
I'm high schools and colleges tho
study of music should by no means
cease The rudimentary steps hav-
ing been accomplished. the young men
and women should receive instruc-
ton In the elements of harmony and
form.
They should learn TO anafyre
musical composition to md It's themes.
their development, varia-
ton. the wonderful Intervening with
each other. and thus to enter into its
deeper meaning and 10 learn to see
the greater beauties which lie hidden
TO the ear of the uninitiated.
"All this requires no special gifts
but may be grasped by any one OF
ordinary Intelligence. This has been
amply demonstrated not only In many
t. ~ Az.
been applied. but by my own expert
ence with the Peoples Singing clauses,