Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-20
MUSIC PROVING AGENT
IN PATRIOTIC CAMPAIGN
is Helping In characterization of
81 Foreign Element In Great
Cities.
AS 1T is SUNG
Young People Lure Their Nom
: English-Spealling Elders TO Music
s Ccnters, Where They Begin to
81 Learn Language to Be Citizens.
BY &ADGE ARTHUR,

NEW YORK, October ls.-One might
quite reasonably suppose the increas-
ing popularity OF mechanical means
by which music Is introduced into our
dtviduals to become musical perform
PRS ! have sometimes wondered. as
the strain from photograph reached
my ear through a tenement window. II
# was not sounding the knell OF music
lessons among the poor. Now comes
proof that my fo!ebodings were vain,
at least SO far as one of New Tork's
most populous sections is concerned.
musical institute"-it should GER
ttainly be called nothing less-which
began its existence three years ago in
two small rooms now occupies a four
story brick house. and is nourishing
in district whose Inhabitants, IL not
.clude ANY considerable number OF
those we arc pleased to term the we'll
to.do." and certainly none of "the rich"
Truly polyglot neighborhood is this.
lying in a downtown western section
Of the city: Although Italians predom-
inate, the Irish come next and then. in
tho order OF their numerical import
ance- Jews, native Americans. Germans,
French. Li;huanians, Poles and Scotch.
II this music, school were entirely
free, there would. II seems to me. be
little excuse for writing about II, for
then we could readily understand why
many parents might force their chill
OF their care during the late afternoons,
and early evenings. Blu, il Is not free
and although tuition is placed at so
absurdlE low figure as to make Il
apparent the project Is not self-sus-
tanning, the rate must necessarily en-
tail sons. degree of self-denial among
the families OF the pupils.
Doubtless the primary motive Of
those who established and are gener-
ously supporting this music school was
to benefit the children. but there has
come to be associated with it an ele-
ana mplishment: t''' thor S1sh
this polyelot community.
besides enording their children an
opportunity of learning TO play the
piano, or any of the number Of string
fers its social side to the parents
through evening concerts. bringing the
various nattonalities OF the neighbor-
hood In touch with one another through
the common language Of music
The number OF foreigners who make
20 eHort TO acquire the English tongue
sitter years OF residence in New York
would amaze you" said one OF the Of
icials OF this music center. Their chill
dren learn the language in the public
or parochial schools. but they obstl-
of Italy and France and OF Greece. YES
alas! and Of Germany. dotted here and
there on the face of Gotham. where
our American tongue is never heard
during the hours when the children are
ut school"
1t was in recognition Of this fact
that the formation OF adult classes for
Storus singing was begun. The chill
dren, acting as scouts, brought in their
parents. and now II Is no uncommon
sight 20 see, or more properly 10 hear.
earnest groups of foreign born men and
women struggling with English as il
IS sung"
To my surprise. / learned that amonp
the child pupils there were almost as
many students OF the violin as of the
pianoforte. This. 1t was explained is
chiefly because the fiddle is COM
paratively cheap instrument for par.
ents TO provide in furtherance OF home
practice. But after all no revolution
in Juvenile taste and tendencies ia
threatened. because the little girls .as
rule stick to the piano, one only
pscasionaliy finding her way into the
class OF small male violinsts.
II: as above stated. the parents of
nupils are IRE almost unconsciousiy lured
INTO knowledge of English. a sim
.larly covert method is used in giving
10 the children the knowledge ana
sense OF rhythm that Is Indispensable
70 proper Interpretation of music.
by series OF what the instructor calls
rhythmic gymnastics" and in which
both feet and hands take part, pupils
are taught the various time measures
and correct accentuations Of time beat.
almost, the instructor says, before they
know 1t. '''''
don't pretend L. know much about
the merits OF these rntptal fabor-sayine
devices that appear to be sprinpinp
up In the various departments Of
learning, but II certainly seems to
me that, in Americanizing our foreign
Dom population, this music school is
performing task well worthy OF
lmitation in other parts of the United