The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-16

music department directed BY
ierested 10 study some lnsiru-
ment
The third objective IL to
give fhnse Who are more
musical an opportunity 10 par
ticipate In some group other
than the regular music class.
To this end there Is 4 genera
chorus which meets once eaef
week and Is open 10 all pupils II
grades four. FIVE and slx. Ths
only requirement Is that they
ENJOY singing and attend meet
inEs regularly.
From the general chorus mem
hers are chosen for special
choruses and the vested choir
These special groups practice at
80 and L 30 and have a special
weekly period in the afternoon
once week The vested choir
Is special feature this year.
Beginning instrumental students
are given experience in playing
together IN section groups =
strings, woodwinds brass and
drums As soon as pupil Is
ready he becomes a member Of the
orehestras.
Ear training. rhythm. and pitch
are taught IN all grades from first
to sixth with set of tuned bells.
a device created by Mrs. Smith and
coming into general use in teach
ing music fundamentals.
This is set Of 20 individual
bells tuned automatically from
middle c to G above the staff.
When placed in their frame the in
dividual bells form a xylphone
which may be played by one. two
or three children Il is used as
an accompaniment for vocal num-
beers, or as a solo instrument
The bells have a clear.
pleasing tone quality and ae-
eurate pitch. which makes
them valuable aid in teach
ing the intervals, relation of
tones, and scale building. They
also are particular, valuable
in music reading. Each child
must play his own bell on
the correct beat and with cor
rect accent.
The bells were tried as an ex-
pertinent with one class at Frank
lin The success of the plan Was
so marked as to warrant inclusion
in the music classes throughout
the public school system. Most of
the schools now have this equip
ment and others will be supplied
as fast as funds are provided.
AS far as possible the music
department helps pupils to feel
that music is very real part Of
many of their activities They are
encouraged to use music in other
classes. at home, and in COM
munity activities.
one project of the sixth grade
is musical journey Around the
World in Song They study GUS
toms. costumes and geographical
features of many countries, and
note the influence music has had
in the lives of the people In this
class pupils draw maps. illustrate
songs, make a class scrap book
and arrange programs. Some of
the activities of this class are
incorporated in the pageant, The
Spirit of America Speaks"
A third class will represent the
various industries in the pageant,
using suitable rhythmic action
such as the swing Of the lumber
mems axe. the pull Of the say.
and the turning Of large and small
wheels, all expressed in music.
Franklin, like the pr n ter,
journalist. diplomat. statesman
and philosopher for whom Il vas
named. is thrifty and methodical
school. Il has to be thrifty be-
cause finances of the school dis
triet require close trimming Of
the budget System and definite
methods are essential to do the
amount of work scheduled in the
music program The only dif-
ficulty is that the hours are too
short and there are not enough
hours in the day 70 give all the
time the pupils would like for
their music classes.
Look for some Of the Franklin
boys and girls on the concert plat
form and IN the bands and
orehestras Of the next generation.
And no matter how far they 20.
they Will remember now they
learned time, rhythm and pitch on
the tuned bells