The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-07-26
Music


course, by an experienced teacher who,
during the past school year, has devoted her
entire time to the work.
Those who attended the closing exercises
of Zion Schools and heard the splendid,
spontaneous singing of the entire school and
the full Preparatory Chorus every boy
and girl of all the hundreds taking part,
throwing their very lives into it with
heartiness that was inspiring and uplifting,
can form some appreciation OF the excel
lent results which have been accomplished.
Let this training continue for few years,
and Zion should have a splendid company
of congregational singers, as well as muSl-
clans.
In the first four grades of the Junior
Department, no technique is taught = only
simple songs, by rote, in keeping with the
seasons of the year. In the Fifth, Slxth,
Seventh and Eighth Grades, textbooks are
used, the pupils taking up the rudlments
and technique of music.
When pupil has finished the eight years
of the Junior Department, he has improved
in efficiency until he is able to take any
simple song with which he is unfamiliar and
read it readily by sight.
Il
instructor sings a melody and the students
are required to write it either IN syllable
or note; or, selection is played, and they
must write it in the same way, this constitu-
ting splendid ear training.
In the Seventh and Eighth Grades, must
cal history is taken up along with other
work.
While in the four lower grades only uni
son songs are taught, the pupil in the Fifth
Grade begins two-part singing, and in the
Sixth. Seventh and Eighth Grades, three
part singing. This prepares for chorus
work which is followed out in the Prepare
tory Department.
During the year just closed, splendid pro-
eress has been made, the pupils, through
the exercise of firm discipline, as well as
the excellent instruction given, settling
down to hard work and putting their best
efforts into it.
While the study of Art in Zion Schools
is supervised in all the eight grades of the
Junior Department and the four years OF
the Preparatory course, by teacher who
specializes on this. branch and gives her
entire attention to the work, her active, per
sonal instruction begins with the Fifth
Grade. Through the First, Second, Third
and Fourth Grades, she outlines the work
each month to the various teachers, and IN
this wav it is carried on Systematically
during the entire year, every part OF the
school working tremendously together as
a unit.
Work in the Fifth and Sixth Grades is
entirely class work; in the Seventh and
Eighth Grades, there is considerable class
work and some individual work. In the
Preparatory Department, individual work
enters largely into the course, although
there is necessarily some class work all the
way through
The Art course in the grades consists OF
pencil work, charcoal and pastel, the lat
ter being used almost exclusively i'll the
two highest grades as we'll as in the Prepare
tory Department.
Beginning with the Fifth Grade, under
the direct supervision of the art teacher,
the pupils are taught to work out original
designs for wall paper, lettering, illustrated
notices. or anything for decoration, the
design first being cut free-hand from paper.
The work in the Sixth Grade is very
similar to that in the Fifth, the same ma
terials being used, but it shows more finish
and detail and the subjects are more COM
plicated and difficult.
The visitor noticed with amusement some
very cunning and original attempts of the
little folks at advertising. For instance, in
advertising Rainbow Dyes, the pupil had
drawn a very brilliant rainbow arching the
sky in the distance with landscape scene
in the foreground.
Blue granite wares were represented by
a pitcher with an appetizing lemon along
side, while underneath was the inscription,
"Blue Granite Wears"
Pet rabbits for sale were indicated by
long cared cottontails hopping about over
the snow in the moonlight, while the inscrip-
ton read "Bye Baby Bunting"
Neither had the youngsters hesitated to
try their hand at real estate boosting.
country place called the Brook Farm" was
represented by beautiful residence with
lawns and modern outbuildings, all sur
rounded by green fields, with wild flowers,
grazing herds and other features to make
it attractive to the prospective purchaser.
Alongside, one noticed some original de-
signs of wall paper, linoleum and other
articles of a practical nature. Indeed,
should Zion ever care to take up the manu-
facture of these goods we have plenty of
artistic talent trained for the designing
rooms.
An illustrated motto, with beautiful
border of flowers, read:
"Be as merry as ever you can
For no one delights in sorrowful man."