Evening star., 1937-05-08

LIelI CQlluTen 10 SuptIldIlVe ueNel->
opment. It is touching to note that
many times it was but the memory Of
his mother that cast its influence over
a composers life, and the thought Of
her was the solace that sustained him
through adversely. If We look into the
history of the great musical personal
ities we will invariably find that in
some way the mothers were the domi-
mating factors in keeping alive their
inspiration.
In those early days there was no
Nation-Wid recognition of the uplift-
Ing influence of the mothers of any
great men. Today, with such recogni-
ton becoming a happy and sacred
pleasure, there is also laid upon the
mothers Of the growing generation a
duty and standard not thought nee
essary by those earlier women. In no
respect is this duty so imperative as
in the realm of music, where the
growth and progress of an entire ma
ton depend on the attitude Of mothers
toward music. For without the help
Of the mothers, whose cooperation in
laying the foundation of musical cul-
ture is absolutely imperative, the pres
ent-day child has small chance of be-
coming the we'll grounded musician
that is valuable to the cause Of music.
TOR a child to insist on studying
music, and to apply itself assid-
uously to assimulating every detail of
instruction, is indeed rarity. But
the experience of mothers. who, desir-
ing that their children know some
thing of music, find the task of bring
ing this desire to happy climax en-
tirely too wearing, is an everyday af-
fair. The numerous plans for chill
drens activities, the many interesting
outside diversions that a child finds
today, operate strongly against the
slow study of music, no matter how
hard parents may try to further 1t.
Many mothers, while acknowledging
that it would be pleasant to have their
children able to play, feel that, after
all, there are more important things
in life than music.
AsA6iIS AVN, eA1Sy uAS W. oAAot ~ -->>N~>S
child has lived to tell his parents.
How often do We hear some one say:
eff my mother had only insisted that
I practice when I was a child, but
now 1t is too late to begin" The small
tragedies of such reproacheS must
often trouble a mothers heart. But
the truth of the whole situation lies
in these words: "If mother had only
insisted" There are several things
that can be best done in childhood,
and one of these Is the acquiring OF
technique on some musical instru-
ment that will allow the individual
his personal satisfaction in the max
ing of music. 1t is not necessary to
think Of child as future virtuoSo
but only as a person who will have an
avocation in life of a cultural nature
It is a common occurrence to find
physicians, lawyers, scientists ano
others in specialized walks in life who
are musicians of real understanding
Their chief source of refreshment is
in music. and grateful they must be
now that some one in the family
was firm enough in their childhood
to see that they spent certain time
practicing. But the responsibility of
parents does not end with this policing
of practice time, but extends to the
point of seeing that the study OF music
Is made interesting and that no time
Is lost in wasteful effort. A child S
attention can be concentrated on the
many alluring aspects of music so
that the bitter dose of ACQUIRING 8