The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-08-05
EDITORS MAIL

/ wish to extend my sincerest ex-
pressions of gratitude to the spon-
sors Of the Search-for-Tslent con-
test. feel that. not too far hence.
it will prove to be Of definite value.
in that it will have some Of the
following effects:
First: Through substantial COM
petition, it will give more young
people a greater incentive to study
music.
Second: II will stimulate more In
terest and more thorough study
habits on the part Of students OF
music.
Third: II will challenge teachers
TO the point that well-trained. COM
petent teachers will achieve some
reward and recognition from the
fact that their own capabilities will
be reflected In their students. win
or lose; and ineficient teachers.
their shortcomings being similarly
exposed, will be forced to return to
school TO rehabilitate their profess
sionAl faculties. or drop out OF the
profession entirely.
Fourth; and most serious, no
doubt: Some young people are made
10 study with certain teacher who
is a friend OF mamma" or papa"
and because OF this friendship, the
child is made to take il and like IT..
regardless OF the teachers qualifics-
tons. As a result OF this. the child
is possibly discouraged entirely or
crippled. musically. for years 70
come. or even beyond remedy.
Fifth: Some Negro students have
had just enough training 10 give
them sufficient courage TO come into
a Negro institution (after becoming
disgruntled with white institu-
tom and tell the Negro teacher
what his course OF study should and
must be. In some cases. he Is both
accompanied and supported by his
parents in this attitude. In fairness
TO the child and the Negro teacher,
the parent should recognize the fact
that the Negroes own resources most
assuredly rank with the highest; he
should carefully investigate and
consider all resources, stunning in
competence on the one side as COM
pletely as on the other.
Sixth: Many parents, for various
reasons, think Il a mistake TO begin
child in music study at an early
age. My youngest student Is ave
years old, taking pre-school music
education. This type OF training Is
a definite asset 10 the child because
ii forms habits OF concentration and
coordination which are invaluable.
particularly during the period OF
adolescence. where all Is uncertainty
and readjustment. These habits and
the acquired ability in music act as
guides through uncertainties and
give the child something 10 hold on
10.
These thoughts, by no means new
TO my mind. were brought home
with particular force by my witness
inc the recent Search for-Talent
contest and events surrounding II.
Even persons unskilled in musical
science could easily detect the great
difference between well-traind con-
testants. and poorly trained contest
dIllSs ltlt ldlAtl vi NlllNils odu W % -
were most predominant. Then. too,
il must be remembered that many OF
the contestants. unfortunately. had
had no training.
| personally accompanied Miss
Wilson TO Chicago where ! took her
in to sing before an old Italian
maestro who acclaimed the young
lady as having a great voice"
am Of the opinion Miss Wilson
is thoroughly deserving OF the $500
frst prize and all that she received.
for | have been in~a~poshion to
know the devotion and effort she
has given her art since she began
her study two years ago with little
to offer in the way of serious mu-
steal training. FORWARD MARCH
WITH MUSIC, MICHIGAN.-Signed
Robert L. Nolan, Bachelor OF Music,
Dean Of the Robert Nolan School OF
Music. instructor OF piano and
theory, founder-conductor Of the
Robert Nolan choir.