MUSIC IN THE SCHOOL

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1925, Page 4

MUSIC IN THE SCHOOL

SCHOOLS’ MUSICAL SUPERVISOR. WELLINGTON, November 14. •• Good singing will not only create a taste for music and improve the child’s pronunciation and enunciation, hut will assist, because of its social interest, to give the pupils a sound community spirit. Such a country as New Zealand should breed a nation of young singers.” So said the Minister of Education (Hon Sir James Parr) yesterday, when announcing the appointment of Mr Edward Douglas Taylor to undertake the supervision and direction of instruction in vocal music in schools.

Til order that a fully competent supervisor might be obtained, applications were invited in both England and New Zealand. The applications received in England were examined by Sir Waltonl Davies, Mils. Doc. (Camb.), A.R.C'.M. (Loud.), LL.D. (Leeds), K.U.C.O. (Loud.)’ Hon. E.R.A.M.. in association with Dr IT. A. Harding, of the Royal College of Organists, and Sir Hugh Allen, of the Royal College of Music. After considering the report of these gentlemen, and thoroughly examining the New Zealand applications, it was decided to appoint Afr Edward Douglas Taylor, of Lancaster, England. Mr Taylor, who is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and an Associate of the Royal College of .Music, has had considerable experience as a teacher and examiner in music, and is regarded as eminently suitable for ihe position. Tie received his early training at the Royal College of Music, London, and studied under the late Sir Walter Rarratt. .Master of the King’s Musiek and Oxford Professor: the late Fir Charles Stanford, Cambridge Professor ; the late Sir Frederick liridgo. Gresham Professor and organist of Westminster Ahhev; Dr Charles Wood, present Cambridge I’rolessor; the late Dr V. ,). Read, of Chichester Cathedral; the late Dr A\ . S. Hoytc, Mr Marmaduke Barton, and Mr Sidney Waddington. He was the winner of two open scholarships lor organ playing and composition ; the “ Arthur Sullivan ” Prize for musical composition at the Royal College of .Music; and the Lafontaine ” Prize for highest marks in all England at the Fellowship examination of the Royal College of Organists. In 1913 he was appointed, in open competition, to the post of organist to Grahainstown Cathedral, South Africa. "Whilst in South Africa, he gained considerable experience in the training of teachers in the teaching of singing, being on the stall of the Grahainstown Training College for some six years, and the Diocesan School for Girls. Grahainstown. for some two years. In 1919. he returned to England and was appointed to his present position of organist and choirmaster to the Lancaster Parish Church, in addition lie is instructor in School Music at the Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, where he has for the last three vears, instructed classes of student teachers in the principles and practice of teaching music in schools. During the period 1920-2*2, Mr Taylor acted as Inslructor in Music to the Lancastci Training College for Ex-Service teachers.

Mr Taylor is also .Musical Director of the Lancaster Church Choirs’ Association, conductor of Lancaster Orchestral Sorietv,' and .Morocainbe Madrigal Society, lion, local representative ol and examiner to the Royal College of .Music, lie is a teacher and composer of some note and iL is considered that New Zealand is fortunate in securing • s services.

In announcing the appointment, the -Minister said he regarded il as a most important one and one which would have a far-reaching effect, not only in the musical education hut also on the general mental training of the schools.

" I am convinced that wo have not given this subject its proper place in the curriculum.'' said .Sir .Janies Ran. "We are behind England and Wales, .More serious attention to it is necessary both in training colleges and schools and the Deportment must arrange for more time. Rood school singing will not only create a taste for music and improve the child’s pronunciation and enunciation, but will assist because ol it- social interest to give tile pupils a sound community spirit. Such a country as New Zealand should breed a nation of young .singers. Me shall take .Mr Taylor’s advice upon the whole question of reorganisation of school music, l’ossihly we shall need to detach Irotn their present iluiics two or three teachers already in our service who could, under Mr Taylor’s direction. do excellent work-sav, probably, one in each island, hut that will he a matter for discussion with the new supervisor on Ids arrival.”