RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C, HOWARD, ESQ. F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 198, 11 June 1878, Page 2

RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C, HOWARD, ESQ. F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Second Coukse—Methods of Teaching

and Organization

Lecture XXl.—Subject — Music: School songs; methods of teaching vocal music j School bands.

[ The great aim and object of all teachers* Mr Howard remarked, should be to give their pupils such a correct knowledge of the rudiments of music, that- they may 1 be able to bring its influence to bear upon their home life, and he paid a high tribute to the value of music upon the character in its relationship ro education. No pains should ba spared to teach the subject thoroughly and to train the voice. There are so many rival systems for teaching this subject now in use each with its admirers, that it became a difficult task to decide which has the greatest claims upon «« the educator.- Nor would ho venture to pronounce a decided opinion upon any one system as having merits above the rest. He thought it would be easier to say how not to do it, than to explain how to do it. The teacher must avoid a mechanical habit of teaching, but try to make the scale work as interesting as possible, so as not to create a dislike. Lessons should be short, interesting, and frequent, on» lesson a week being far too little. Whatever *** system is adopted it should be taught thoroughly. The school sbould.'bo divided into classes and groups for music as for other subjects, and the instruction. Bhould <* be graduated throughout the whole school. This will be best accomplished by tho use of ample, apparatus, and the cooperation, of the children. The work should be commensed in the infant school, where accuracy should be aimed at, and the little ' ones should be taught to distinguish and imitate sounds and to sing truly and softly the little songs previously, learnt. In the upper school a more definite system should be carefully taught. What system ? He could not advocate Hullah's or Curwen's in its. entirety. Mr Howard stated* lie had been a pupil of Mr Hullah, and spoke iii the most eulogistic terms of that gentleman's ability and zeal and ness in his work. He thought that both w» Hullah's and Curwen's systems had good points, but that both were deficient of that which would constitute a good musical system. Hullah's great fault lay in his ignoring scale relationship, using the fixed doh, and singing by intervals. Curwen recognised scale relationship, and based his system upon the moveable dob. , The great defect of this system lay in th© neto notation. Apart from this Curwen's system is undoubtedly superior to Hullah's. He felt strongly in favour of

Taylor's system, which is a great improvetoent upon Hullah's and combines the merits of both Hullah's and Curwen's.

'Children should be carefully taught* to produce the voice Well from the chest, and five forth full, sonorous, vibrant tones. hey should not sing with their full power t>£ voice, but should give good enunciation and pronunciation. Recommended "Taylor's vocal music," and Curwen's " Standard course." Conclusion of the "Second Course of Lectures."