WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 159, 31 March 1919, Page 5

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Ooutinued from. Page 4) MUSIC IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS \ LAYING THE FOUNDATION. The following article from the Sydney "Sunday Times" should he of some interest in educational circles in this country. States the writer:— "Tho hattlo concerning the, methods of teaching vocal music in schools brings tn the surface tho question "of education in music generally, and its peculiar iitnpsß' ns an educative agency. For, while we hold up a democratic educational policy ns our ideal in this State, wo. dare not cut off from our primary schools, where the bulk of our nation receives its mental training, the opportunity for its pupils' pleasure in musical things. A writer in an American periodical states a truth when he says:— 'Universal singing, like-universal suffrage, jjoes' with a groat democracy.' "Protessor Adams stated in 1917 that in his opinion, and he is an educationalist of standing, music of all subjects is best fitted for self expression. The musial sensa is elemental. 'Why'does a boy whi3tle to kesp up his courago?'' has been asked. 'Why a to express joy?' 'Why not,' is counterquestioned, 'repeat a multiplication table in such circumstance Because, as history and literature reveal, it is elemental in man to sing. "In gradually increasing difficulty, musical knowledge can bo presented, l and the record of man in relation to music, the etory of the composition ef our masterpieces can be mado a source of deep inspiration. These stir the idealism of the child-mind, and ideals aro first, as Professor Wclton tells us, 'Aspirations to acquire the power to do rp U ings w kioh others are seen to do. J.neii, as emulation antf critical power they become detached from a particular model, and the individual becomes wlf-directing.' But aspirations are but transitory, if the means of making them actualities are not forthcoming, aiid.it involves the slow process of education. -

W what efforts are modern educationalists making in this matter? Who knows of the soundly educational Children s theatre in Chelsea? There gathers the youngest audience in Ene- - land, where the repression of emotion is not practised. It is the usual thing J!L Ch li dreu talk fl ' oel y an d criticise from the audience. Om small child to heard to .ory out, alter listening o the quamt nursen- rhyme, 'What Are I '• 1 m not > mummy, H™ f/. , T* l6 audience is spont'aeous: 1 n' air educative ngoncy. 'crrof; 11 ipterosting- demonstration :<rf grading in teaching music to small' S™ f J ecorded , from London. Ohildien of three and a half to four j antl a half formed the youngest nnf l j W w cou 'd reproduce a ZL 1 ! eard 'i but , th6 ' r love<l t» listen to melody played. In .Grade II thev (Irani„f" 0 ,4 lttles Which they could S were d^n"™™ 1 litCl ' ary sor'f XXft that Montesfinitß o=if Caching music is as deK J ™ r k,'\™y other sphere; tne - sense-training' side of this work' is "•nrr 11 K l a .jd'fears are' expressed for'the aitistic side of the child, lest lie become the mere matter-of-fact observer of hw Sht'TS' work a child ]g nf ?iiff i. d'scnminate between noises of difforent degrees, and to idon sounds produced by bells. The rhythm ■«&L?h "fluted by walking on the floor the teacher does not teach tho child to change step according in fi!« toneoM. 1116 development is PMely eponr™l'^intoestin?. Publications by liathof Music,llemen3. "üblic bchools, Los Aneeles fnir tg&li&l aay aie the audience of to-morrow-anrl they do not scruple to teucli bv ltmph-, th« j national and folk songs' the_ function of the. instruments" of ail oichestra, the opera, tho oratorio, and the symphony. The list of. available waded"flnth'Tt iS a PP ell<lc(I ' and giaued. Both books prove that herp trav-nir/ a •' 'f'' 6 '' to soot ' le the travail d spirit with solemn and divine made'" 1163 musicJc >' 16 bein S definitely