The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-20
HIGH "A" ORCHESTRA
is BEST IN NATION,
DECLARES GIDDINGS


to the schools here, wakes eloquent on
the subject of the local high school
orchestra Besides declaring that it
is the finest high school orchestra in
the United States, he says that its pro-
gram at Nashville, Tenn, last year
was the most important event that has
happened in the public school music
for years"
Music in the local schools, in his
opinion Mr.. Giddings says, fiourishes
in spite of many conditions that are
distinctly unfavorable. He gives most
of the credit for the success here late
ly to j. E. Maddy who, coming from
the world of practical music and hav-
ing the genius in addition, has in
spired the ambition of the young
people.
Leading Educator
Mr.. Giddings is recognized as one OF
the country's leading musical educa-
tors He is also the author of a num-
Der of books and in extensive travels
over the country has acquired more
than a surface knowledge of facts con-
corning the musical education of young
America.
The statement made by Mr.. Giddings
Wednesday about the local schools and
the orchestra here follows:
THE Richmond high school orches-
ira is the finest high school orchestra in
the United States. There is no other
that even approaches it. This TACT
was admitted by everyone at the Nash
vile meeting last year. The orchestra
is even better this year than last, as
there is a better balance especially IN
the string section. 1t is probably the
only high school orchestra that has the
complete Instrumentation of the sym
phony orchestra
New Standard Set
1T is doubtful if anyone concerned
realizes the far-reaching effect of the
visit of this orchestra to Nashville. 1t
set a new and far higher standard OF
possibilities for instrumental music in
the public schools. That short program
sent 1920 supervisors home in a
thoughtful mood, determined to raise
the standard of the orchestra work in
his own town. This part of the pro-
gram at Nashville is the most impor-
tant event that has happened in the
public school music for years.
"How did this happen. This is how
a stranger sizes it up. There has been
tradition of orchestra playing in
Richmond for a number of years.
| There is latent talent in every town.
It remains only for some one with
vision, knowledge, and the gumption
to bring it out. / have visited here
twice and gone through the schools
and cannot see that music is either
unduly featured or extra time given
| to it. On the other hand the music
in the schools seems to flourish in
spite of many conditions that are dis.
/ tinctly unfavorable.
.. Inspired BY Leader.
$50 what is the answer. 1t is In
the man that runs it. He came from
| the world of practical music instead
of from the teaching field. Having
this musical genius in addition tc
great talent as a teacher and a leader
of young people able to inspire thei!
ambition it is no wonder that an or
chestra has been developed here thai
is the envy and the emulation of al
the rest of us.
Il rather suspect" Mr.. Giddings sug
gested "that the people of Richmond
take the orchestral music in these
schools as a matter of course more OF
/ less and have the idea that otheI
cities all over the country can mattel
these results. Far from it. The sit
uation is absolutely unique. So true
is this that in half an hours program
last spring the city of Richmond wa:
put on the map and known at once
as the home of the best school music
"This is one of the many functions
of school music and a perfectly legft
innate one. Music is the most impor
tant subject in the whole curriculum
and the sooner the school authorities
|, of any city find it out the better
President Elliot, of Harvard, says tina
music rightly taught is the best minc
trainer on the list No program j:
complete without music. 1t is in ad
dition to it's great educational value
the greatest advertising medium o
the schools. 1t is the department tina
can make the schools popular with thu
: community. Two years ago we il
! Minneapolis were trying to pass {
: number of amendments to the cit,
: charter; it was the music that did ii
The numberless units that went on
: from the music departments, that go
{ the crowds, entertained them and pu
; them into the right mood and thel
the speakers told their tales and tn
: amendments passed.
{ THE Richmond high school orches
ira does something Of the sort a
every concert they give. They did
in big way at Nashville All powe
J to them, their leader, and a free han,
and support both in and out of tn
schools for this most important sui
i ject. 1t is important now, but wal
10 years and we will be amazed a
the results and the place music vii
, occupy in the educational world.
z will come again as it was in ancien
: Greece, as the most important edu
, cational subject.
"If any of those who read this ar
inclined to look upon this as tn
preiudiced opinion of one who is il
: tha business. all [ can saw is Wal