The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-05
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STUDYOF
MUSIC
Oh! for a George Eastman
for ChiIdren's Riddles in
D. C. Public Schools
By JESSIE MacBRIDE


AS the twig is bent, the bow
inclines.'
Good taste in the young child is
the underlying principle of Music
in the Public Schools
Therefore it is doubIy important,
today. to appreciate-and at once
the opportunity for special study
of instrumental music in the public
schools that are offered, providing
the student is enrolled before next
Monday, October IL.
Classes on orchestral instruments
and on the piano begin next week.
This is for young folks in the
grade" schools and the junior
and senior high schools.
Glasses in orchestral instruments
are for beginners" and for those
who have studied for less than two
years in the school instrumental
classes. This course is not designed
for pupils who have studied under
a private teacher within the last
six months.
Piano classes follow the same
classification.
Registration blanks are supposed
to have been received by parents
and to have been signed by today.
A further leeway will be given,
this week, however, to get the
facts thoroughly before the public.
Register This Week
The registration blanks must be
signed by parent or guardian and
returned to the building principal
where the child attends. Pupils en-
rolled last year may register for
lessons, providing they are not
studying with private teacher.
The length of the course is sixty
lessons, extending over a period of
two school years, divided INTO
periods of fifteen lessons each.
The charge for a term OF fifteen
lessons is So, to be paid at the
first lesson Of each term.
The heads of the departments in
sure the excellence of this first
glimpse" of the charms of music
that may extend into a thorough
musical education, where the gift
of the child warrants it.
The public schools merely try
out" the gifts, in excellent teaching.
They do not .usurp the develop
ment of these gifts, but discover
many an unsupported talent.
Teachers i'm Charge
Laura Fairchild Ward is in
charge of the orchestral classes.
Edith B. Athey is in charge OF
piano classes.
Each pupil in classes for orches'
ira must have his own instrument
and be prepared to purchase such
material as the instructor dictates.
We know the instructors well.
Miss Athey, originally an instruc-
tor under the guidance of Alys
Bentley, holds a certificate from the
Meissner Institute of Piano Class
Method of Milwaukee, Wis. another
certificate from the Harriet Aver
Seymour School of Musical Re'Edu-
cation of New York. She has a
music education diploma from the
Washington College of Music and
is a gifted orgaflist and choir direc-
tor. Music appreciation is one of
Miss Athey's specialties, with spe-
cial organ recitals given each year
for children.
Mrs. Ward has been in charge of
orchestral instruction in the public
schools here for a few years. She
comes from the University of Wis
consin, where she studied under
Peter w. Dykema, who is now at
Columbia University and whom
Washington knows and appreciates.
She studied violin under Frank
Davidson. of Buffalo, and is well
versed in child education for the
orchestra.
These instrumental music classes
are under direct control of Doctor
E. n. c. Barnes, director of the
music department of the District
of Columbia public schools.
What we need" says Mrs. Ward,
sis a George Eastman, to be our
benefactor by the. gift of instru-
ments, so many of which are ex-
pensive."