Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-08-27
School of Music.
Not to Displace
Academic Dent. G.. CT

Humors to the effect that the au-
tnoraties OF Coburn Classical Institute
are considering the discontinuance of
the academic department of the
school were characterized as utterly
groundless by Principal Drew T. Har-
thorn yesterday. Stories have been
current In the city for some weeks,
saying that the college preparatory
arm of the institute was to give way
In ravor of the music department, and
That the institute was to devote it's
entire effort to music. The source of
such reports is unknown.
Principal Harthorn, speaking of the
place Of the school of music in the life
OF the institute, said:
Il believe that the fine arts, as rep
resented by music, should have a
place in the training of these young
people"
The school of music. he declared,
was added to the work Of the institute
because changes and additions to its
curriculum must be made by any pro-
gressive school which wishes to sur
vive and serve in the present day.
Educational demands are vastly diff
ferent now from what they were a
half century ago in the United
states, and even in the past decade
greater demands than ever before
have arisen. which the schools must
meet. To this end, Coburn, Mr.. Hart
horn said, established it's home econ
omics department, opened Hanson
Hall as practice house, and set
about teaching girls how to direct a
home. To meet another great re-
quirement which has come to be
largely as a result Of the war, the In
stitute commenced program of ath-
letics for every student, with a ply
sical director for the boys and one for
the girls as well.
This fall the school is inaugurating
new department of religious educa
tion. which. it is felt by those at the
head Of the institution, will go far to-
ward meeting the needs of the times.
But this is not to be considered a
sectarian move" said Mr.. Harthorn.
We feel that in a private school it is
possible to offer spiritual education
which for various reasons is to some
extent precluded in the public school,
and We are setting about to do It,"
The department of religious educa-
tion at the institute will offer cours-
es in the essentials of religion and in
character building, which will be re-
quired of all.
Miss Vera NJ. Rice, formerly OF
Park Rapids, Mimi, will be in charge
of the work. Miss Rice was gradu-
ated from Dennison University with
the degree of A. B. in 1923. and from
Columbia with the degree of A. NJ. in
1925, majojring in religious education
Her experience in this work has been
wide and successful.
The institute has been a busy place
all summer, as arrangements are be-
ing made to put the school on a thor
oughly up to date business basis
New members will join the faculty
in September. and they have been
sought among the best in the country
Mr.. Harthorn said, the choice being
actuated by the thought that the bet
ter a teacer is equipped for his work
the better results he will gain. Two
new classroom are being fitted up on
the third floor of the main building,
and Principal Harthorns office
henceforward will be on the second
floor at the left Of the stairs. The
, first floor office Is to be devoted en-
tirely to the uses of the treasurer and
registrar, and 1t is planned that both
OF these officials will have regular Of
flee hours, by which 1t is expected
that the business of the chool will be
much expedited. One of the new
classroom will be for the use of the
department of religious education.
Carl Jean Tolman, director of the
scholo Of music. is to have large
studio on the third floor also. All the
rest of the building is being thor
oughly cleaned