Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1919-12-20

Echoes from The State MUSIC Ieach-
ers' Association.
This organization is doing great
work already 1t is bound to grow
wonderfully in membership and in
fsuence as the music teachers learn
to realize that there are many. many
improvements needed all along their
line Of work, before they may receive
tie respect which is commonly ac-
corded the physician. the attorney,
md other professional men.
There Is no reason why music teach
ers or in fact any teachers. who have
enjoyed thorough preparation. and
who are able to secure results with
their pupils, should not be considered
worthy assets of the community. uri-
less 1t be that they have Jagged be-
hind workers in other lines. in organ
iring for their own betterment
Physicians. attorneys. ministers. and
all sorts and sizes Of business men
have their local. county, state and in
terstatte organizations, and so have
the music teachers But we must all
swing into line. and attend these
meetings and get acquainted and co..
operate with each other. frankly
decognize our shortcomings. and de-
wise ways and means OF overcoming
them. The sooner we do this, the
greater viii be our recognition and
our influence among our fellow citi-
gems.
The five Salem teachers who at
tended the meeting at the aIultnomah
Hotel, Portland, recently, will remem-
ber that the main address was given
By DIR. Landsbury Of the state uni
versity. He urged higher standard
Of results and therefore Of prepara-
ton. When pupils come to the uni
versity. bringing with them high
school credits in music, they are
oftiines found wanting. and yet they
have complied with the law and ex-a
pect to have these credits accepted on
q par with Geometry or History. To
have them accepted he Is asked to
@. X. them just as one might indorse
a note for a friend. In many cases
his conscience is badly strained, and
in many others he refuses absolutely.
Now the only way to remedy this
is to get at the cause. inefficient
teachers produce inefficient pupils.
So beginning this year teachers are
asked to answer list Of representa-
tive questions about piano. voice or
violin, and also to state quite defi-
nitely what preparation they have
had for teaching. This seems very
reasonable inasmuch as the answers
and outlines asked for.may be readily
given by anyone who y qualified. 1T
seems all the more reasonable also.
when we recall that university gradu-
alton In fouryear course Is required
Of all other high school teachers. Only
sfx music teachers OF The state OF
Oregon are college graduates, while
osfly twelve are high school graduates.
III II any wonder that educators who
are becoming very much Interested IN
music are demanding more prepara-
tion and more results from teachersY
When IA guest comes to your home
you expect him to conform, somewhat
IL your ways OF thinking and conduct.
Music Is late arrival at the high
SCHOOL tilu ~ hliptNahF ~ tht aAt1'
school and is Knocking for admission
let her conform to the ruieh of
Geometry to Latin, and let her teach
ers conform somewhat to the rules
governing teachers OF these subjects.
All sorts OF excuses were offercd.b
teachers for not having finished high
school or college. Tor instance. "Myl
health would not permit me to go
on This was rldiculcd innsmuch as
a tremendous amount of mental and
nervous energy Is required OF one who
lis to do anything with music.
DIR. Iandsbure assured US that with
III the next few years college gradu-4
alton or its equivalent would be re-
auired OF one and all who wish to-
teach music.
Perhaps the moset popular per-
former at the meeting was Dent
Mowry, who III at present located in
Portland. lie has not only artistic
vision and brilliant technic. but also
that virility and strength which are
80 much demanded nowadays by al
critical public One little incident
which happened after his program
was l,idicrous enough. A large. tall,
portly lady of the society variety.
looked down condisoendingiy on Dent
e. she shook his hand and congratn~