SINGING IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 417, 28 January 1909, Page 7

SINGING IN SCHOOLS.

(by telegraph—i-kess association;) ' TU • • , January 27. Tho.-, Musicians -Conference * carried utiaiiimously a motion as follows: "That tho pre-' sent-system of .teaching..singing t.iri public 6chools. is having, au; injurious effect on-chil- • ,dren,3 voices, and is likely to prove a - per.m'aneht, injury to them, in alter ..life, and. tills conference. recommends for, the present the .placing of children'under 'specially qualified '. teachers j.thafc .the,". conference 'submits to the' Education' Departinen t'• that it' is' undesirable to continue,, vocal- music as a compulsory subject for teachers, ' and . strongly rccommends the .training- of suitable - candidates in the subject-." . Tho mover (llr. Mait-land Gardner,, of. Dunedm) said children ; wcro-iaught. to; yell,vjnot to sing; - Tho injury told not : only in - singing/: but _alsa.' in speak- . iiifj. Boys, wero-;dnilea..to, sing low, their voicov wore made- rough, and any capacity for singing destroyed.. :• ; . : -. The;* conference decided to affirm tho de- J Birableness'bf' establishing a permanent orchestra for: tho Dominion as an important factor.'; in the musical education.'.of the Dominion. - The president.(Mr. .Webbe) -suggested that they should hare an orchestra Ifko - that of ' tho; Christchurc'n Exhibition, moluding tho best professional talent 111 th(J Dominion.. . .