CONFERENCE OF MUSICIANS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 3, 28 January 1909, Page 3

CONFERENCE OF MUSICIANS

SCHOOL SINGING. By 'i.'elegr»nlr—Press Association. Auckland, Wednesday. Tho Musicians' Conference carried unanimously the following motions:— (1) That the present system of teaching singing in the public schools is having an injurious effect on children's voices. and is likely to prove a permanent injury to them in after life. The conference recommends for the present the placing of children under specially qualified teachers. (4) That the conference submits to the Education Department the nndesirahleness of continuing vocal music as a compulsory subject for teaehers, and strongly recommends the training of suitable candidates in the subject. The mover, Mr.Hartland Gardner, of Dunedin, said that the children were taught to yell, not to sing. Injury told not only in singing, but also in speaking. Boys were drilled to sing low; woices were made rough and any capacity for singiTig was destroyed. The conjerence decided to affirm the desirableness of establishing a permanent orjehestra /or the Dominion as an important factor in the musical education of tie Dominies, ■ The president, Mr. Webbe, suggested •that they have an orc|if»tra like that of the Christchurch Exhibition, including the best professional talent in \ the .Dominion.