The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1920-11-26
THE VALUE OF MUSIC

1t is significant that the progress
of civilization has always been at
tended with the development of music.
It is the spiritual element of human
enjoyment. Always we give up one
pleasure for another not until the new
appeals to US more than the old
When humanity began walking up
right their ears began listening for
something finer than the sound of
cocoanuts falling from trees and the
thrashing of prospective meat in the
form of lower animals thru the under
brush.
Men began noticing that the songs
of birds were sounds that stirred emo
tons within them. They tried to
initiate those sounds and found with
surprise that their own voices had
qualities of sweetness. The night
winds thru the trees suggested chords
which they found could be initiated.
So stringed instruments came into
being One instrument succeeded an
other until they Wed with one another
for beauty. Then they discovered that
ment5 could be harmonized. Then
tANh DSCdllc dill 10
the human voice.
And everywhere the progress of
humanity upward has been attended
by purifying progress in music of
voice and instrument. Humanity is
standing its straightest when thrilled
by the notes of sensitive music.
1t is gratifying to see that schools
and churches are paying more tribute
to music by giving more time and
study to it. Christianity had it's in
ception in the Singing of hymns"
1t is within the memory of this gen
Grafton that music was once supposed
to be taught to girls alone. When a
boy was forced to study vocal and
instrumental music, he was looked
upon by his playmates as a SISSY"
The only singing done by men was to
"strike barber-shop chords" on the
street corners.
Now boys and girls alike are taught
music from the time they first begin
schools. Churches have organized
choirs for children and adults alike.
That church which has the best sing
ing is most largely attended. Every
fraternity and social organization of
any standing has its band. Commu-
Hitp ehoruses are the centres of inter-
est IN every town.
Music is coming into it's own. 1t
marks the progress of culture and
refinement. It is SYNONYMOUS with
enlightened civilization. 1t affords
expression for the human emotions
that purifies character. 1t stirs the
latent hopes of men and women, and
becomes an urge to the realization of
sleeping dreams.
The man or woman who loves music
cannot be altogether bad. Music is
the elusive essence of beauty Beauty
and music are the harmonious express
sion of sound and sight. Harmony in
beauty or music is Sitting to ugli-
ness and discord.
But the development of music, like
other things, must be fostered by a
few leaders. The value of such lead
ership is inestimable. Those who
spend themselves in the Tabor of
love" in communities and organiza-
ton are the "leaven in the loaf"
which purifes the whole.
Lambertville is fortunate in the
musical talent it possesses. But I'M
fortunately it is not organized. There
should be band or orchestra in each
of the fire companies. They should
each at least have a quartette of
genuine talent They have the ma
terial now. They need organization.
The Community Chorus in this town
is keenly appreciated by a few. It's
leadership deserves the greatest
praise for the untiring devotion that
keeps it alive with so much lack of
cooperation. But such devotion
always finds it's reward. We speak
a splendid future for it's efforts.