Evening star., 1934-04-29

support the musical activities In each
community. 1t is celebration which
nourishes music in civic life with a
more embracing program than any
individual could carry out. This years
slogan Is "A more fruitful use of in
creased leisure through music" and
purposes to turn to good account the
very thing that has been needed for
the development of music in America
more leisure BY planning group
activities in the 1000 participating
communities the observance of music
week is stimulating a spirit of team
work as well as the joy of self ex-
preston with the object of furnish
ing means of escaping the de-
vitalizing effects Of economic worries.
In its creed the National Music Week
Committee has included the admoni-
tion Of Woodrow Wilson, uttered at
the time Of the World War: "The
man who disparages music as a
luxury and non-essential is doing the
Nation an injury. Music now, more
than ever before, is national need"
Special stress will be laid on the
cultivation Of family music and music
in the public school. inexpensive
pamphlets have been gotten out such
as, Can We Do Without Music In
Our Schools?" by Walter Damrosch;
THE Value Of Musical Training to
Children in the Schools of America"
Music and Childhood" and Pre-
school Music, a Guide to Parents"
Those who have not understood the
value of the music study in the
school curriculum, the children's con-
certs Of the National Symphony
Orchestra, or the work of the Junior
Federation Of Music Clubs, can find
the reasons for their organization
clearly explained in these pamphlets
No better example of the popular
appreciation Of these various musical
groups for children can be had than
the phenomenal growth of the Junior
Federation Of Music Clubs Teachers.
parents and the pupils themselves are
realizing the educational value of the
friendly competition that the estab-
fishing of Federation of Music Clubs
for children has brought about. Under
the expert leadership of Gertrude
Lyons, president Of the junior fedora
ton since 1882, the membership Of
clubs in the District has been built
up to rs federated senior and Junior
clubs and choirs in spite of closed
banks and the financial depression
that caused many to resign. Making
a personal appeal Mrs. Lyons has
succeeded in increasing the interest
Of teachers in having their pupils
take advantage Of the opportunity to
perform in the federation concerts
and to augment the attendance at
the general assembly meetings. Under
her educational program the work
OF the members is presented more
often than was the case when only
the annual meeting was planned.
Mrs. Lyons has also had programs
three times year after the business
meetings and has inaugurated radio
programs in Sc broadcasts. By adding
II new junior clubs to the group
already federated and by the ap-
pointment Of excellent junior coun-.
selors, she has been able to bring
the standard up to an enviable point.
There is reason to be proud of the
constructive work being done in the
various choral units, the cooperative
spirit Of piano groups and the stand
ard Of work shown at the federation
concerts. It Is in truth nourishing
the seed of music in home and civic
life and is accomplishing what Long
fellow said, SHOW me the home
wherein music dwells and shall
show you a happy, peaceful and con-
tented home"