The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-03-23
K|DD|EST TAUGHT
CHEAP MUSIC,
LEWIS ASSERTS
"RolI Them Bones" Too Light
For School Recreation Pro-
grams, Says Vocal Chief.
JESSIE MacBRIDE.

JESSIE MacBRIDE.
What hope has America in the
future as a leader of classic music
II the school officials persist in teach
ing ragtime music to the younger
generation"
This impeachment of music con-
ditions in Washington today was far
from gentle, when 1t was made to
The Washington Times by II. Leroy
Lewis, precentor-solo in a church
and vocal teacher of the city.
1t was brought forth by an Incl
dent in which the school officials
may, we hope, have had no share.
For Washington has aimed to stand
abreast Of other cities in the ad-
vanced work of it's music In the
schools. But If bad conditions exist
in recreation hours, II Is well to
know about them.
Miss Allie Traver, soprano, was
special soloist at the JohnsonPowell
School on Friday evening and sang
several songs. Mr.. Lewis as her ac-
companist and teacher, found that
out of q Public School Center.
large group Of little children formed
q part Of the program.
Riddles Made Common.
Much to my horror" said Mr..
Lewis, these little children had been
taught and had memorized such com.
mon things as Roll Them Bones.
@ song of rolling dice, with a de-
generating influence that surely the
schools should not inculcate.
1--WE, the teachers of the city,
are called on for our students to
make up these programs that are
being given every Monday and Fri
day in the Music Week prepare
tions. They ask for something light.
I'm my opinion, the leaders are
paying too much attention to the
memorizing, by little children. of
popular songs and ragtime music.
If one is going to educate the pNb-
lic--th.n give them something
good.
Unfortunately, enough OF this
menace is taught in our hOme," con-
tinued Mr.. Lewis. But the public
school, which has the right to say
what shall be learned by the stu
dents, does not hold up true and
noble standard.
when a child wishes to eat moth
Ing but cake and candy we force
him to eat what is best for his body.
system be made to force our chill
dren-who are the future Of Amer
ica-to eat what is best for the
brain, and not only the brain, but
the soul?
Private schools can always cult
vate a desire among its students for
the better things in life and some
thing is radically wrong when the
public schools do not. There's
where we set the standard of future
citizens"
The Right Music.
"Alys Bentley, who was many
years director of music in the
public schools of Washington, has
arranged Grieg. Franz. 'Schumann
and Brahms into simplified musical
form, so that the hard intervals are
made easy through their lovely mel
odies. These songs are taught in
private schools throughout our
country.
II knew the 1.-TWO Grenadiers"
added Mr.. Lewis.
When told that an uneducated
audience would grow weary listen
ing to a program of classic music,
MIR. Lewis suggested that a shorter
program of good tuneful things be
given at first.
There is a recreational value to
food rhythmic music. A Com
munity Music" acrostic, that holds
q true philosophy of the case, is
being printed in the Times today.
But it need not be common. Let
good swinging march open and
close these programs. They will
surely set the pulse going. and whole
somely so.
We know that music as taught
by the directors of music in the pub
lic school is for the betterment of
their life as we'll as their education.
If however, this exists in theory and
not in practice, these same directors
should be told as Mr.. Lewis is tell
ing them.
Responsibility. for all influence,
IL placed upon the teachers and Of
ticials of the public school system
OF Washington" said Mr.. Lewis,
land they should feel very deeply
the susceptibility Of these young
minds for good or bad. and provide
their musical thoughts with as much
care and spirituality as their thoughts
In literature.
After all, universal peace must be
brought about through the influ-
ence of the Arts, for there alone Is
nobility and truth"