The Washington times., 1920-06-03


izs Al tAs tlzs. sSt tss we've 'ss@e
Immediately caught their attention
They wanted the game al once.
MY thought had been TO oner
prize for n guessing competition on
our piano rolls. The children were 70
familiarize themselves with our list
OF classical selections on the player
plano and notify me when they were
ready for the test They were TO heas
the rolls played. naming the composi-
tion and the composer. The prize was
for the one correctly naming the
greatest number.
"'Try IL now was the quick re-
sponse. l did SO. but their suesses
were ridiculous, although the music
rolls l played had been In the house
for months.
80 we agreed to hold the real test
in three weeks.
~ found my boy at the piano fire.
quently during those three weeks
and his sister with him much or the
time. They were experimenting.
"Then came the day for the game
and my boy guessed eighteen out OF
twenty rolls correctly and named each
composer-all the music being classi-
call Mr.. Tremaine's pride was evil
dent in the tone OF his voice.
TWO |IOllOw odl VI
home incident. One was that c. w.
Tremaine became director for the Bu-
reau for the Advancement OF Music.
The other was the influence on his
son.
"From that day TO this" this pio-
neer father added. "he has played the
player piano continually. Before that
he seldom touched It, Shortly after his
interest had been awakened In this
way, he expressed a desire for a man
dolin. He then Joined a mandolin club
organized among his friends and also
started to pick out some simple pieces
on the keyboard OF the piano. Soon
he showed a desire to attend concerts,
whereas II had formerly been i'm
possible to induce him to go to any,
musical entertainment"
How the Mis.ion Spread.
"The great wealth OF musical en-
ment has been made accessible to
him, even though his lack OF talent
may prevent his ever giving musical
pleasure to others.
"But ! felt" concluded Mr. Ire
maine. "that the same influence would
be helpful to the children throughout
the United States II IT could be adap-
ted to a wide scope"
That scope now embraces many ac-
tivities OF the National Bureau for
the Advancement OF Music. It's philo-
sophy is one that that reaches close
to the hearth. and through the home
influence to the future OF the nation.
It's service to all Is apparent.
We do what interests US.
Make music Interesting to children.
Awaken their imaginations about
1t. Let them play some part in dis
cerning what IL Is.
Philander p. Claxton. Commissioner
of Education, says: Sooner or later
we shall not only recognize the cul-
tural value of music; we shall also
begin to understand that after the be-
ginnings of reading. writing, arith-
metic and geometry, music has
greater practical value than any
other subject taught in the schools"
But not alone can the children
reach the meaning Of music, to instill
into II the resource that will ever
brighten their life. Older minds must
realize this, the way must be made
plain. Opportunity must be granted
the children to lead them into paths
that will make them forsake other
pastimes less profitable to them.
Let beautiful music fill the life of
the little children.
How About A Times Testf
A man In New York who is now a
big power in spreading the gospel of
music" was convinced of the need for
an active, thoughtful campaign to
bring music to life in the imagina-
tions of his own children. And he
succeeded.
Mr.. Tremaine has other plans that
he divulged to The Washington
Times music editor. The Washing
ton Times readers will hear some Of
them next week.
A gamer" Yes. it's a game.
A prize? Well, we'll see.
How about Music In the Home"
contest-by readers Of The Times-to
show you are getting ready for a real
test" game?
Write the Music Editor, IL you like