Music Culture

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 152, 17 September 1927, Page 22 (Supplement)

Music Culture

Development in Auckland MODERN TUITION METHODS “The study of music means a great deal to the community. It is a powerful force in creating true culture and it provides a natural and delightful outlet for the emotions.” This is the happy sentiment of Mr. B. A. Truebridge, one of New Zealand’s leading music teachers and now the headmaster of the School of Music conducted by the Druleigh College. Speaking to a SUN representative Mr. Truebridge remarked that although Auckland, as he knew it, was a very musical city with many good music teachers, existing conditions did noi tend to popularise the art of music in its many forms. “I am of opinion,” he added, “that up to the present, insufficient inducement has been given to people to take up the study of music. “Another discouraging feature of tuition has been the stereotyped processes employed. NO MORE- DRUDGERY

"In connection with the service organised for the tuition of students in the Druleigh School of Music, I am convinced that great advantages are to be obtained by the elimination of the drudgery for so long associated with the teaching and learning of music. The idea is to make the work highly interesting to the pupil, who is able to make progress on sound lines. My contention n this matter can well be illustrated with regard to the violin. This is an instrument, which, by the layman, has been long regarded as a form of initial unmelodious torture. The reason for this is easily’ realised. Simply, that, in the past, all beginners were compelled to make horrid scraping noises iri learning how* to bow. The new method entirely' dispenses with all the sanguinary and monotonous sounds through which the aspiring young fiddler required to toil. The attractive system envolved for Druleigh tuition enables the violin student to start encouragingly from the beginning by producing a pure singing tone. This is a big lift over a stile, so to speak, for iiny student. However, it is only one of a series of completely revolutionised conceptions of tuition, but it shows that the modern learner has wonderful facilities compared with those who started out in the old days. In addition to general teaching, the college, in order to cater for the various tastes and temperaments of prospective students, receives pupils for private lessons for violin, piano and singing From long experience I think this is wise, as it gives the more selfconscious type of person a chance to exploit his or her abilities and personal ideas. The main points are to ensure a sound and rapid developm nt, enabling the student to appreciate artistic and interpretative values.

"In England the class idea has become finite a vogue, anti I have always contended that it could be applied to music in a general sense. There are, •u. - t present, over a million students in old country, studying music in With splendid results. The

Druleigh College is therefore to be congratulated for introducing a special system here and offering tuition rates which bring full musical education within the reach of all.” Classes are

graded into beginners, intermediate and senior, with students being advanced finally to become private pupils.