The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-08
About Vocational.

Concerning musical training at No-
eatlonal the critic reports as follows.
while no formal instruction In music
is offered In the Vocational high school
the musical activities incidentally car
rial on and the active attitude OF the
school toward these activities proved
most interesting Music is certainly u
real factor in the life OF this school, The
only question is as to the extent and
form OF the superstructure that should
he built upon the very reliable founda-
tions now laid,
length, is held once week In the
school Two or three songs by the
whole school are sung on every regular
assembly program. In case " extra
assemblies, the nature OF the program
for which the school Is assembled de-
tertnines the amount OF music II may
he a lecture which leaves no time at
all for music; but there Is strong in
clination to break into song, and when
ever program can be made TO provide
an opening. some time is given 10 sing
ing, Such a special assembly was called
at the time OF the music surveyors
visit, and the school sang several songs,
They were all done in unison, without
any effort at part singing. and from
the standpoint OF a conductor Of adj
vanced choral music, the results were
rough; hut everybody sang with spirit
and earnestness and the live. energetic
spirit Of the school was expressed IN
the singing, A teacher Of English and
expression conducted the songs with
real enthusiasm and skill and with the
manifest approval Of the group, This
same teacher directs all musical activi
ties OF tho school and brings TO the
task musical capabilities. personal quail
tiles Of leadership, and an earnest dovo-
ton that are Of inestimable value 70 the
development OF music In the school,
None of the work that Is here de-
scrihea would be developed except for
such leadership
Reports on Central high school read;
Little systematic instruction In mu-
sic is attempted In Central high school
and the attempts that are made are
dubious and meet with mcager success.
An incalcalable loss to music in Mem
phis is the result.
High schools stand between Il clty'S
children and its adult citizenship II is
possible In large city high school, such
as this one In Memphis, 10 obtain must
cal results OF commanding value. Ii
these are attained, the effect upon the
whole elementary system Is Immediate
and far-reaching. No elementary school
teacher can remain In an indifferent at
titude toward music and toward her
own accomplishments IN IL If the high
school Is filled with students who, as
matter Of course and not as a special
dispensation, are given Il musical edu-
cation far N advance OF that required
OF her
good in quality and adapted 10 the
voices 81 the pupils, but rehearsals were
bad In the extreme The tone quality
and Voice management Of the pupils
were commendable, but their musical
power was not at all adequate Blum
der after biunder was made and re-
peated until confirmed"
Local musical orsaniEstlops and the
music committee Of the Chamber of
Commerce are commended for their
spirit in the report. Particular merit is
placed on the record Of the Chamber
of Commerce committee for bringing
the Scott Opera company to the city
and fer its proposal 10 establish a fund
for development Of scnool orchestras,
The report observes that the commit
tee must have considerable business
acumen, as it realized a profit OF 81, 500
on the Scott production, 1t cOmmends
as ideal the proposal TO place this profit
IN q fund for the schools and the addi-
tional proposal to repeat the perform
ance annually, II tho policy Is put In
effect the government critic predicts
that Memphis VIII have a musical rep
utation which viii exceed its rcputa-
tion as a lumber center
In closing the following recommended
lions are urged for Improvements Of
musical training In thc schools
Increase timo allotted TO music pro-
vide more pianos and place q portable
organ In each school employ musical
director OF wide experience to direct
musical education In high schools, al
charge Of musical training to develop
music: orchestral and band instruments
should be provided In high schools as
literally as possible,