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APPENDIX D. REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSICAL EDUCATION. Sir,— Wellington, 17th June, 1930. I have the honour to submit to you my report for the year 1929. Training Colleges. —The most important work in the direction of musical, progress is necessarily being done in the training colleges, where there is much cause for satisfaction. The instruction to the students is being based on the official " Scheme of School Music," which will thus, in course of time, be carried out into the schools by teachers fully competent to put it into effective operation. The third-year students who are specializing in music are working in various town schools with good results. The recommendation by the Department that the Boards should create specialist positions for the future employment of these students is a welcome development, and it is to be hoped that the fullest use will be made of their abilities. The devoted work done by our four Music Lecturers is worthy of all praise : and in the case of Wellington and Dunedin this has been accomplished in face of many difficulties due to inadequate accommodation. It may be pointed out that one of the greatest gains is the arousing of the feeling among students that music plays a really important part in human life, and is therefore worthy of serious consideration in education. When the D Certificate Music Examination is abolished it will be possible to create an even better outlook upon the subject, as the preparation which the students receive from outside sources is often of such a nature as to prejudice them somewhat against music-study. A leaving-examination of high standard will accomplish a great deal more. Eurhythmies. —There is still need for development of this subject in connection with school music. At Auckland Training College a large percentage of women students are taking eurhythmies under Miss Whistler, but nothing is being definitely done at the other training colleges. If teachers in this subject could be appointed there to work under or in conjunction with the Music Lecturers it would be of great value. There is an especial need that all infant mistresses and special-school teachers should know something of this work ; but there is not a single child, boy or girl, junior or senior, who would not benefit by eurhythmies. Miss Hay, now training at the London School of Dalcroze Eurhythmies, will be available at a future date ; but there are sure to be others among our students and teachers who have a special aptitude for the subject. Inasmuch as eurhythmies involves both physical and musical training, it might perhaps be possible to divert some of the attention now being given to non-musical physical training into this channel. Vacation Courses in Music. —In January a series of lectures and other musical activities formed a feature of the Waitaki Teachers' Summer School. Arrangements were made so that all teachers attending the school could be present at the music lectures, showing the value that was attached to them. In May Mr. Ernest Jenner gave a course of lectures at Timaru, Mr. T. Vernon Griffiths at Christchurch and Greymouth, and I took courses at Napier and Gisborne. Systematic Musical Instruction in Schools. —This is still in a very backward state. In general, the quality of actual singing performance is improving in the schools, but with a few exceptions there is practically no attempt on the part of head teachers to promote proper systematic and progressive instruction in music. This is usually ascribed to the lack of skilled teachers on the staff, while the head teachers disclaim any adequate knowledge of the subject themselves. Until these conditions, and especially this outlook, are changed, little real progress will be made ; but since the issue of the " Scheme of School Music " it has really been within the power of every head teacher to do something towards organized instruction. If progress is to be made without the necessity for awaiting a new generation of head teachers, the Inspectors will have to give special attention to the matter, and urge upon head teachers the importance of giving sight-singing a reasonable treatment. The only fully effective way of carrying this out, however, would be to appoint visiting music specialists in the different districts similar to the agricultural and physical instruction specialists. Such music specialists could be found, provided the expense could be met ; but as these would be drawn from the ranks of teachers who would in any case be receiving salary the cost would be more apparent than real, except for travelling-expenses. School Song-book.—The plans for issuing a school song-book have been delayed from various causes, but the book should be ready about the middle of 1930. All children from Standard 111 upwards may be required to purchase it at a charge of 3d. The book will contain songs of various countries, songs with historical associations, songs for special occasions, songs by great composers, and New Zealand songs, with explanatory notes. Education Gazette. —Articles on musical topics, and songs suitable for school use, have been published in the Education Gazette during the year. Gramophones and Pianos. —During the year 350 gramophones and 104 pianos were supplied to schools through the Department.