Evening star., 1923-01-28
Musical Mention

MUSIC Education, quarterly publica-
tion edited by Edwin N. c. Barnes, the
new supervisor OF music in the public
schools os the District of Columbia and
sent gratis by him to colleges and high
schools throughout the country, con-
fains much interesting matter in its re-
cent issue. Among the subjects to
which he calls attention is that Of the
conditions and standards OF music in
struction today in the schools. Director
Barnes quotes at length from bulletin
prepared by Thomas L. Gibson, state
supervisor OF music in Maryland, and
sent out by the Maryland department of
education. 1t would seem to be a prop
osition beyond controversy that IL we
are to have a musical America"
1t is necessary to begin with the chill
dren by giving them a thorough
grounding in the schools, but Mr. Glib
son goes even farther. Practically. he
says, "begin with the teachers" and he
reaches the cruX of the matter in the
following: elf the teaching of music
IN the public schools is to receive the
attention ate that its Importance in educa,
lion seems to demand. then the normal
school, first of all, should plan to give
more time in its curriculum for the
Sraining.of teachers In this subject.
The lack of ability on the part of
normal school grades to understand
the subject and their disinclination
even to attempt to teach it seems in
the past to have resulted from a lack
or time assigned in the training
school for the study of music and a
rather than from an inefficient teach
ing force and unsound pedagogical
methods. These training schools, then,
should assign sufficient time to de-
to, Ill
correct singing voice; to give them a
sound peda agogical method of<present-
ing rote songs and the elements of
sight reading; to teach them to be
able to read at sight easy song selec-
tionS and to know the names of SIM
pie music terminology: to make them
familiar with and give them ap-
probation of some of the best things
IN music; to provide for those; who
show special talent an opportunity to
organize themselves into glee clubs
orchestras, opera groups, pageants
and oratorio classes, and through
these organizations to present public
performances. Much of this is being
the state and should not the normal
schools strive to be leaders in all
these music activities?"
Music Education makes also the in
teresting announcement that Indiana
University will hereafter confer a de-
gree, bachelor of public school mu-
sic, as we'll as bachelor or music
and master of music. In this connec-
ton 1t is interesting to note also that
new degree. Fellowship of the Roy
tuted by the Royal College of Music
in London. England. Membership is
limited to fifty and Is reserved for
persons who have done DISTINGUISHED
work either as musicians or for the
cause of music. IT differs from other
degrees in that the membership is
conferred by election, not through an
examination. OF the members, forty
must be professional musicians and
the remaining ten may be non pro
1esSionalS who have in some manner
rendered distinguished services to the
cause of music. The first individual
70 be honored with this degree is Sir
Ernest Palmer and, according to re-
cent journals making the announce
mcnt lin honoring him the college
honors itself" for he has worked for
years with ceaseless generosity and
sood sense in the cause nf all music
and British music in particular"
Miss Cryder entertained at a musi-
cal last Saturday afternoon, pre-
soprano, in a program of songs and
ar1as, at the Arts Club, with Miss
Miriam Larking. ceilst; Lynch
Luquer, Violinist. and Miss Minna
Marx has a voice Of brilliant timbre
which she handles with ease. her die
ton being noticeably good. The aria
from "Herodiade' was given with
nice appreciation Of it's dramatic
values and with great beauty Of tone.
Miss Larking, who is favorite with
the public, played in her usual
musfcianly way, and received enthu-
siastfc applause after each of her
solos. Mr.. Luquer was heard to ad-
vantage in the concerted numbers,
and Miss Niemann displayed a nice
and discriminating taste in her ac-
compartments and in the ensemble
work. All the artists were most gen.
erously applauded by a large audi
ence, the program being as follows:
La Girometta" (SibelIa), song of
the Shepherd Leyl Snegourotchka"
CRimsky- -Korsakow), 'The Snowdrop'
tGretchaninow), Mrs. Marx; Three