The Washington times., 1927-05-04
Music, Earth's Greatest Power
PLAY Something, SING Something. Don't Be
Mere LISTENER

II
This music week. dedicated to concentration on the value
and power of music and the many ways Of producing it.
IN each year should be FFTY-TWo music weeks. and
In each day Of every week. there should be music in every
home
Music is the oldest and nobe form Of expression Birds
sang long before talked Before the birds sang there
the music Of the wind in the great fern forests
that created coal beds
Music ought to be part Of everything in life. It
expresses nothing else mems highest aspirations
deepest patriotic courage love Of country and OF
HOME
Take music from life and you might well take color
from the sky flowers from the field and kindness from the
human eye
The air is full Of music when young people counting
Music leads them the altar and back to the church door,
There is music when the baby christened and solemn
music leads us to the grave
With martial music march war and with triumphant
music return from victory.
The first sound child hears Is the sweet voice Of its
mother, singing awaken the little soul And the last
memory Of old the tune he heard in his childhood
Music awaens the human mind the plough awaens the
soil Let music be heard while you are reading difficult
abtruse book and instantly meaning becomes clearer
Music lightens toll, and in days will be heard
and enjoyed BY the worker the field has always been
provided for soldiers marching out to kill each other
Henry Fords advice to fathers and mothers is Let your
children play some instrument Il they cant play WELL
let them play BADLY, . and he quotes the Bible:
"But Be ye doors Of the 1OOr and HEARERS only"
Be CREATORS of music, not merely LISTENERS.
The woods are beautiful now in spring each bird singing
the humble chp Of the sparrow pleasing to its mate as
the proud song Of the lark the sad melody Of the night
ingale.
Il would be sad world in the wide forest only ONE
bird sang, while all others listened in silence.
Let this not be nation Of listeners gathered around the
RADIO the talking machine or the performing artists
The so-caled mechanical music is Of greatest value to
the human race and will do than everything else to
stimulate the creation Of new, beautiful music
Music OF the RADIO talking machine playing piano. and the
other devices is to the world music what printed books
are to the world Of knowledge and Of literature
But men should not merely READ or listen to reading
They should also TALK creating and expressing their own
thoughts
to music. They should desire to CREATE it.
Every home should possess its RADIO hear the voice and
the Instruments creating music you listen
Every home should have its talking singing and playing
machine and its library Of records from which each may
select what he WILL he selects his reading in the library oil
books
But above all, THE FAMILY SHOULD BE MUSICAL
The children should be taught sing There should be al
all cam FORTUNATELY IN THESE PROSPEROUS DAYS,
should have separate instrument for each child.
EVERY FAMILY A COMPLETE ORCHESTRA would be
excellent motto Mothers should know how to play the
piano. only enough to play simple march by which at the
appointed hour the young children will march contentedy toll
bed convinced that they soldiers doing their duty
marching with high steps
Shakespeare said
The that hath music in himself,
Nor Is not mOUed uUth cOncOrds Of suUeet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratasems and spOIs;
The motions Of his spirit are dull as night,
And mis- affections dark as Erebus.
Let such be trusted.
Each Of should cultivate music in his soul and mind and
every father and mother should ENCOURAGE MUSIC IN
THE HOME.
your little boy saxophone sacrifice yourself and
let him HAVE it,
your daughter wants ukuee banjo guitar or violin
GIVE it to her.
Select your instruments carefully but that well
known, with established regulations and names that are
guarantees Of quality Do not be tempted by cheapnes
But remember that the thing which good Is not NECES
SARILY dear.
ENJOY MUSIC AND ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN ToI
ENJOY IT, PLAY IT AND SING IT.
/ Marry for Beauty