The Washington times., 1928-11-23
Child Authority
on Modern
Music
By Constance Cameron

"a f.
Il wonder If we realize how much
Of an educational value the family
radio possesses. And I wonder If
we truly appreciate the xastness
OF its influence, and the weight
OF that influence upon growing
children.
In Italy little mites of 2 and 3
years Groom grand opera to their
dolls. Here. it used to be the ex-
ceptional child who recognized an
opera when he heard one. Grand
opera was sung only in the larger
cities, and unless ones parents
were particularly afflilerlt, the
prices were prohibitiFes
Now music. and well PLAYED
music, is available to every child
BY the mere turning Of dial.
Radio programs have shown q
marked Improvement during the
past five years. and with a little
thought you can evolve home
course in music which will take
your youngster long way toward
an appreciation of it. The closer
knowledge of 1t may inspire him
To want to be a musician, and the
first requisite to success in any
line is the love of the work and
desire to excel in. ii. But apart
from potential musicians in your
home you can at least build up a
love and appreciation of music
which will round out a character
a.rtisticalIy.
Like q magazine which you pick
up at random on a newsstand or
the moving picture you wander IN
to view just as a mere killing OF
time. you may get little value from
your radio by just turning it on.
at whatever happens to be playing
and letting it go at that.
There is little really bad music.
The iazz outbursts which many
fathers rail at when daughter
tunes in on them, are not bad ex-
cept in the sense that, they rile
father when he yearns for majestic
and soothing compositions There
Is music for every mood, and jazz
serves its purpose. You fathers
who term it "a lot Of applesauce,
try dancing with your daughter
for five ninutes.
Get that thrill of syncopation
which lures your young folk. It
viii draw you into closer compan-
ionghip than half an hours serI-
Gus. somber lecturing.
But for whatever purpose you
want music, learn TO use your
radio i ntelIig ent ly. The pro-
grams are listed a day ahead,
sometimes a week ahead in the
Sunday papers. If you desire to
interest your young people in
opera, go to the library and get
4 book containing the story OF
one which you are TO hear. VINO
wrote it? Under what circnm-
stances did he write it2 Get
personal interest worI;ing. and
then give the radio rendition as
much silent attention as You would
one in a tneater. It seems like
such bad investment 10 me 10
pay Tor a radio only to try to
out-taIk any entertainment which
comes to you over it.
Don't let your children miss the
vastly interesting and highly in
structive programs which Wal
ter Damrosch is to give this win
ter. With a personality which
even the coIdness of the mike"
cannot prevent being warm and
genial. he acquaints the children
with the musical family until they
take great joy in distinguishing
the various instruments. He
teaches them that music is
language Of emotions. friendly
power which can make them seri-
Gus, thoughtful, gay or quite
"giggly. / understand that this
series Of concerts is to be used in
the schools, but it will be of great
value 20 your tiny child who is
still in the home.
Get your children interested in
the composers There are delight
fully written books on the lives
of these men written especially
for little people. knowing the
story of the man who wrote a
particular composition will mate
rally increase your child's in
teFest in the music.
Use your radio in'elligently.
Link up the excellent music which
Is offered to you with personal
interest concerning 1t. Let your
child hear good music, ard it may
be in time that our American
youngsters, too, will hum classical
music as readily as they shout
"Yes. We Have no Bananas"