The Washington times., 1920-07-01


Full credit is given the pupil In his
graduating record for his attainments
In music study which he carries on
outside OF the school with a private
teacher. Time also is allowed for
this music study, in proportion TO that
designated for each OF the nve studies
in the course.
The schools place in this plan 10
governed by means of semi annual
examinations. The nnal sxami n natio ons
In major music-held at one OF the
high schools this month-proved
quite conclusively both the benent
and the standard OF major music in
the Washington public schools.
These examinations are given by
the public school music teacher OF
the different high schools, and two
thorouhgly qualified private music
teachers OF the city.
REQUIREMENTS.
The requirements are necessarily
elastic. for the students are In various
years OF progress in this music study.
Each pupil is guaged from a separate
viewpoint.
But each one must come prepared
to play a study classic compost
ton, and must answer certain fun
damental questions in theory-to
show an adequate understanding OF
the work that is being done.
The marking OF the student is on a
percentage basis. Each OF the ex-
aminers keeping a separate account
and then making the finai mark from
a balance OF the three different
ratings.
The student must show the same
groundwork that his lessons In litera-
ture or in history require. His per-
formance, his character of compost
tlon. his scale work and knowledge
OF them all make up the total Of his
nnal credit.
Its benefits as to taste, in the elimi-
nation from any standing of merit
where the pupil plays music that is
not up to the proper level, is one of
its great influences for good.
DIME NOVEL TABOO.
In this day OF unmusical jazz, of
the preponderance OF music that is
neither beautiful, nor uplifting. nor
even tunefully pleasing, some means
of reaching at the students pride
in accomplishment-on the broad
basis of this public scholl rGog-
nition--comes at very critical mo-
nent in the education OF the men
and women of tomorrow.
The dime powell OF other days was
taboo. The boys had to read them
| secretly. The dime -novel-music OF
today has no such mentor. unfortun-
ately. as parents. teachers, and all
the older folks OF yesterday proved
against the lowering influence Of the
books that reached down in standard
and carried our youths down with
I them oftentimes.
For there is always a zest and an
] hA nf n
lurid story. Just as there is zest
and an attraction in the rhythmic
sway Of jazz. But to the imagina-
tive mind, how deadly monotonous is
that oft repeated cheap cadence in
this cheap music.
GRATIFYING RESULTS.
this work has been recognized in
Washington. the proportion OF stu
dents who present work Of an accept
able standard of taste and perfor-
nance has greatly increased.
Where work has been unacceptable
as a major study, where IL has not
justified the consideration shown the
pupil in granting time to prepare 1t,
the privilege has either been with
drawn, or-what Is much more bene-
ficial--thc student has been inspired
to seek instruction that would bring
the standard UP to an adequate point.
That works a double benefit. 1t
means not only standardizing the
work Of the children of today, il
means controlling the standard OF
the teachers.
Standardization among teachers has
long been discussed In music circles.
1t has it's difficulties, just as 1t has
it's good points. But all the effort
that goes into the subject is work.
ing for the bctterment in music
teaching.
And why need our children be led
astray in music when there is so much
Of the beautiful in the best music.
| If you will consult the little children.
AWAY from the influence of the mere