Evening star., 1938-12-18

will come under consideration. Out
country will attend to bring the re-
suits of their activities in behalf of
the profession to the attention of
those who otherwise might never
hear of them and to seek solution of
difficulties they still encounter and
which, if not felt by all, may arise
for others in the future. The ses-
sions will be stimulating and will
certainly bring to light all that is
being done by this influential branch
of music as we'll as the abuses to
which they are still subjected.
Once upon a time teaching music
was the polite refuge of INDECENT fe-
males or of unenergetic gentlemen
who preferred not to struggle with
the business world. The truly great
teachers were few and far between
and their greatness was uncontest-
able since they followed the urge of
a talent that found best expression
to musical development.
Today the music teacher has a
far different status. He is power
in every community, and that means
he must not only have well-recog-
nized background, but be alert in
everything that he does. There is
no place today for the musician who,
having learned to play or sing little,
thinks he can direct the destiny
of future musicians. The demands
on the knowledge and efficiency of
a teacher of music are greater to-
day than they have ever been, and
to fulfill all that is expected of them
they have need of every opportunity
to keep abreast of the times.
The increasing responsibilities OF
the teaching profession show the
necessity of working in unison and
of joining together for mutual bene-
fit. The time when each teacher
was a law unto himself is past, as
is also the idea that teaching is
not so very serious work and
therefore has no need of organi-
zation as other professions have.
The high standard of musicianshlp
which is now the common attribute
of teachers demands the respect of
every one and requires that they
exert their intelligence for their own
protection. They cannot counte-
nance the wrongs which Improperly
prepared teachers may commit nor
allow themselves to take back
seat in the musical planning OF
the country.
just what influence do music
teachers exert in community? In
the first place, so long as humans
seek the finer things of life, the
music teacher will always exist. The
family that does not hope to have
a musician of some sort in its midst
is a rarity, and when it is finally
decided that some little money can
be spent for lessons. there is de-
cided feeling that the family has
elevated it's status. 1t is up to the
teacher to mold that slight talent
given into his care to something
worth while. A child may turn out
to be a great artist or he may be
Just another musician, but what
ever his destiny, it will carry on,
and perhaps bring astonishing re-
suits in succeeding generations.
Does not every one know how the
simple musical attainments OF
grandparent or an uncle has been
the source of inspiration for a much
greater effort in music by a younger
member of the family?
In the music teachers hand is
the torch that must be held high,
for he can never know what need
NAV arise that only music can I'LL.
Think of the countless number OF
people in the world who have stud
led music to some degree. Wnat
becomes of them-for the celebrated
artists are only very small pro-
portion of these legions. They form
our musical public or become the
inspiring force behind other mu-
sicians helping them onward where
they left off. Is it not quite re-
sponsibility to lead this vast army
to the proper and lasting under
standing of music? Since music
works in such subtle ways, its psy-
Geological influence is beyond reck-
oning.
Considering all this, how impor-
tant it is that teachers should come
together to discuss problems and
decide on how this great work OF
theirs can be best done. A few years
ago when a financial crisis was
upon us and desperation stalked
through the land it was to music
that many turned for help and spir-
itual support. 1t was then that the
eyes of legislators and civic-minded
persons we're opened to the value
of music in community, and all
thought of belittling it's power was
forgotten in the great reaching out
for help. But in order to continue
what has been so splendidly begun
teachers must watch that no abuses
creep in and that they receive every
assistance possible. They are realiz-
ing more and more that petty jeal-
ousy and smallness of outlook must
be eliminated, and if the process
lets fall the inefficient ones, all the
better. There is no place today
for the pleasant occupation of teach
ing pupil to play a piece nor for a
narrow contentment with small
accumulation of knowledge. There
is great work being done and much
greater work to be accomplished in
the future; there are standards to
be maintained. wrongs to be right
ed and dignity to be preserved, All
these will be taken under considera-
ton when the brilliant minds of the
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