The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-24
MRS. ECHOLS MAKES VIGOROUS REPLY ID CRITIC OF BOARD
Demand Made for Proof of Charges or Public Retrac- tion - Statements Are
 Branded as Untrue

In answer to allegations concerning tho music department of the public schools touching the matter of stand ardization and the Progressive Series" of piano instruction contained in a pro- test filed by certain persons with the city commission recently. the explana- tory statements and denials issued yes terday will be read with interest.
 MRS. ECHOLS' STATEMENT Mrs. D. A. Echols member of the To- cal board of education and chairman of a committee appointed by President N. A. Barrett of the commission to inves- tigate the matter complained of. said:
 AS chairman of a committee ap- pointed by pr. N. A. Barrett to inves- tigate a protest to the board of educa- tion brought by Miss Rowley, I wish to make certain statements. MT. Randall has never appeared be- fore the board of education nor made any complaints to this committee. "After a conference with the presi dent and other members of the Music Study club, the protest brought by Miss Rowley was investigated and answered "If the musicians of Birmingham do not approve of the system of music taught in the public schools. the board of education will be glad to receive their suggestions and their criticism. l Upon the request of the musicians of this city, Birmingham was placed in | line musically with the most progress l l,;x ,;t c;n parents of music pupils do not wish to have piano music as major, we will be ! glad to keep it a minor.
 l "The entire amount due the Art Pub 1 lication society of St. Louis for this semester will be $71 50.
 1 "The statement that a teacher must pay $125for the privilege of having her pupils obtain major credits is not true.
 "If there is anything unfair in the fact that all pupils must take the same l examination in piano before receiving ! credits whether they be pupils of teachers who have taken this course at l $125 CT whether they are pupils of teachers who have taken some other course, we would be glad to know it l and to change the arrangement. 1 'If there is in the United States any city of the size of Birmingham without a board of education I do not 1 know of it, but it is not necessary to abolish this board in order to get rid l, of the present members. If it is the desire of the majority of the citizens they are willing to rseign.
 'The superintendent of the city schools. Dr. ]. IT. Phillips. and the
 supervisor of music, Miss Leta Kitts have been publicly accused of graft ing.
 'If they are guilty their resigna- tions will be asked
 "As chairman of this committee. demand that these charges be proved
 or publicly retracted."
 MISS KITTS' STATEMENT
 Miss Leta Kitts, in charge of the music department of the public schools
 submitted the following:
 q feel that the unjust attack against the music department in the Birming- ham public schools occasionsA state ment of real facts concerning the mat ter.
 "The progressive series has been adopt ed by the board of education for the pur- pose of establishing a standard for piano teaching as major subject in the High school. Some standard is required ot teachers in high schools who handle a major subject, and standardization is as necessary in the teaching of piano as a major. as in any other subject. Many
  dle west have already adopted this lcourse in, the high schools after a thor ough examination into it's merits as a successful basis for standardization
 'T quote from Will Earhart director of music, Pittsburg
 CA thorough examination of the Pro gressve Series of Piano Lessons" shows Iconclusively that it constitutes text for finely correlated instruction in har- | nd r,,nSicqIt hinpranh history form, esthetics and theory of technic ISuch liberal scope is amply sufficient to warrant allowing credits to high school pupils for it's study when core lsponding technical advancement is made Therefore, all pupils in the Pittsburg high schools who study the progressive lseries of piano lessons may. upon appli- lcaton to their principal. elect music as a major subject
 Also from the Des Moines public schools, William White, director of mu-
 sic.
 "'All pupils in the Des Moines higl
 schools who study the Progressive Se-
 ries of Piano Lessons" may upon appli'
 cation to their principal elect music as Ian accredited subject In order to ob' 1 tain credits such pupils will be required
 to meet all the conditions and pass ex- Iaminations based on the progressive se' ries of lessons. The foregoing regulations will be effective beginning January, 1913, 'Thirty-six high schools in Kentuck, use this course as standard for work "The course has recently been adopted by the state board of examiners in Wis consin and in our neighboring state, Mis- sissppi An article appeared in a recen
 copy of Musical America from whicl [ quote the following: v
 'The Art Publication society has re
 ceived word from A. A. Upham, chair Iman of the state board of examiners o
 the department of public instruction 0 the state of Wisconsin, to the effec that the board would hereafter certif, teachers of the pianoforte who hold cer ltifcates of authorization issued in con lnection with the progressive series o
 piano lessons The decision came as result of an investigation of the educa tional requirements demanded of teach CTS of the progressive series.
 At the last meeting of the Mississipr lState Music Teachers association the pro lgressive series of piano lessons was un lanimously adopted as a basis for publi jschool credits.
 The course is being taught in the hig
 schools of Cincinnati. and an accredite teacher of the progressive series is em ! ployed by the board of education to teac piano.
 'The course has been purchased b many of the leading piano teachers c this city. and has been indorsed by tn | Birmingham Music Study club as