Evening star., 1934-06-24

1t is mistake for parents TO 1eel
that music study should be complete
ly set aside during the vacation
months and that the children can
pick it up from where they left off
in the Spring without loss OF time.
Every teacher knows how quickly chill
dren forget and how much of the past
work has to be reviewed, even after
a short vacation. before the next steps
can be taken. The program of school
studies during the winter is an ex-
acting one and many youngsters
have all they can do to fulfill the daily
requirements. Their music lessons,
therefore, become more a burden than
a pleasure, taking time from the
pressing demands of the general edu-
eational routine and suffering. in con-
sequence, from lack of concentration.
During the long days of Summer
the study of music can provide
pleasant and profitable occupation for
children and young people. With the
mind freed from the bugaboo of school
authority, there is a fertile field for
the implanting of musical apprecia-
ton and even the drab theories OF
technique are robbed of their barren
ness when approached in the relaxed
mood of the long period when there
is nothing special to do. For the be-
ginner. the vacation days are an ideal
time for making the first discoveries
about music, and twice the progress
can be made with the undistracted
attention the teachers can have to
Thara @
sary things in musical education that
the human mind seems to be particu-
larly apt at forgetting, and going over
and over the same things must dull
the interest of any normal child. If
reiteration of dry facts can be con-
tinued without the long distracting
pause of Summer vacation, the work
can be lightened for both pupil and
teacher.
And much of this applies to adults
as we'll as to children. For those who
desire to become performers in some
fashion, the period following the
subsistence of social activities or ad-
vanced school study is an alluring
time for taking up music. Most adults
bewail the lack of time to follow the
pursuits that would bring refresh
ment from Office monotOny or what
ever may be the occupations of the
Winter. An hour of practice in the
evening is as good an adventure as
one could ask for, each small step re-
vealing vistas of an enhancing coun-
try still more clearly to the alert in
dividual. To the music lover who feels
=
could be made to respond to a musical
wish, there remains the study Of the
history of music or the analysis of
great compositions from the pens Of
interesting writer's or the delving into
the secrets of harmony and counter
point, all of which makes the enjoy
ment of music more perfect besides
giving a basis for intelligent appraisal
of public renditions.
The study Of music can only be a
burden to a completely unmusical
person, if such exists Even plumbing
the depths of ones lack of musicality
is profitable, for at least there will be
found a more reasonable excuse than
the favorite one of not being liable
to carry a tune" In an interview
printed in the Musical Courier last
Winter Jascha Heifetz made some
very pertinent remarks that showed
his keen understanding of the musical
condition in this country. He said:
Il do not believe that there is any
one who is incapable of developing
musical taste and discrimination I
have talked to people who claim that
classical music is no more to them
than a cat yowling on the back fence.