Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-16
MISS ANNE McDONOUGH
On Siaht.Singlng Glasses

A KNOWLEDGE of sight singing makes
a not only for personal enjoyment of some
of the best that music affords. but also
cultivates appreciative and critical audi
ences, says Miss Anne McDonough, director
of the sight singing classes, conductor OF
the Choral Union of Philadelphia and chair
man Of the sight singing classes of the
Philadelphia Music League.
1.-The sight singing classes OF Thisadel-
phia are not an experiment. sala MISS
McDonouHh, "fOr their usefulness mas long
since been demonstrated and their pcrlna-
now in their twenty second season. These
classes are conducted for the purpose OF
bringing music home to the people OF thc
city In the form in which most persons
can take a practical part. This form Is
in part singing either in quartet or chorus;
1.-THE classes teach the pupils to read
music by note and this instruction includes
a knowledge of the fundamentals of the art.
Time, note values and key signatures are
all taught and these are used In the part
singing which follows the elementary teach :
ing. This altogether, qualities the pupils
to become members of the various choral
organizations or church chQirs. where more
ambitious compositions are taken up.
Many in Orchestra Chorus
The sight singing classes have supplied
large percentage of the membership OF
some Of the best choral organizations and
choirs of the city. In the Philadelphia
Orchestra Chorus, which gave the MAILER
Second Symphony last year at the closing
concert, ut least % per cent Of the members
Of that chorus were originally members or
the sight singing classes.
'Thc classes are not conducted with the
idea of monetary profit. as the fee asked is
too small to mako this possible Each pupil
pays ten cents for lesson, but they are
asked to pay for ten lessons at II time in
h.,ll lnt M on n
get really into the work and get their in
terest thoroughly aroused. When they
understand what we have to give them there
are few who do not remain at least until
the end Of the series.
''The lessons are given without the use
of the piano and whatever choral music
IL is possible to sing without nccompnni.
ment Is used. THIS method of instruction
is followed in order to develop a sense Of
pitch and train the. ear. In this way we
| gendeavor to lay the foundation for n musical
structure which may be later built to what
ever height the talent OF the pupil makes
possible.
Makes Appreciative Audiences
"But even if we went no further than the
bare fundamentals of the art of music It
would be we'll worth while for the pupil for
the knowledge which he obtains opens to
him the door of all musical literature and
at the least makes of him an intelligent and
This, carried to its logical conclusion
will in time create an immense audience
which will understand and appreciate the
best in music The audience of today at
the best musical performances Is only about
2 per cent of the population, and unless
we train bigger one it will remain n
. per cent audience indefinitely.
1.-THE classes are conducted in two series.
one of which is formed in the early fall and
the other about midwinter or the early part
of the year. The classes are nearly always
filled when work begins in the fall. bur as
il grows harder and the pupils realize that
there Is actually some work to be done on
their part, few drop out. BY the fifteenth
lesson, however, we are at rock bottom and
those who stay that long always finish the
season.
Men Eager to Learn
''The number of men who are eager 10
learn something practical about music are
surprisingly large. Prior to the war we
had an excellent balance OF voices During
the period OF hOstilities, as was to be ex.
pected, many Of the men were away or
strenuously engaged In war work and the
balance was not so good ns there wus an
over balancing of the female voices. Since
the war, however. the men have returned
to the work and We have again the balance
s.,nyas q voices which We had prior to the great
"At the arst, meeting Of the BEGINNERS.
IaYss We start ~ tn, yssy ala~snts Of