Books › Musical Courier 1926-09-23: Vol 93 Iss 13, 1926 › scan 30
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Musical Courier 1926-09-23: Vol 93 Iss 13, 1926
153 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 31. See the scan on archive.org.
1September 23, 1926
3ALEXANDER RAAB EXPLAINS HIS SYSTEM OF TEACHING
4Distinguished Pianist Found Time, Prior to Leaving for a Well Earned Vacation, to Discuss His Method so Successful in Chicago
6On a bright August day, Alexander Raab, distinguished pianist, was met by appointment by a representative of the MUSICAL COURIER in one of Chicago's restaurants, where the following conversation took place:
8"Is it true, Mr. Raab, that you have signed up with the Chicago Musical College for the next five years to hold a summer master class at the school?"
10"You have been well informed."
12"So you must have changed your opinion about summer teaching?"
14"Yes, you are quite right. After my first experience I have considerably changed my opinion about it. I really did not believe that much could be accomplished in six weeks' teaching. However, when you see your entire class four times a week, each time for a period of two hours and use the rest of the time for their private instruction, one certainly can accomplish a great deal with as intelligent and as serious a class as mine was this summer. I noticed at the examination, by the choice of their pieces, that it would be a pleasure to work with them. There were several sonatas by Beethoven, Chopin and Schumann played; also several big Bach transcriptions, among which the Chaconne (Busoni) stood out. We had two winners of the Juilliard Foundation and the winner of the Association of American Musicians played in the classes. I can assure you that it was an exceptional class of students and that I had as much pleasure in instructing them as in hearing them."
16"My dear Mr. Raab, I want to inform you candidly and truthfully that I had the pleasure of talking this summer to many of your students and it was a treat to hear their enthusiastic comments. Every one seemed to get so much more out of the class than they had ever expected. Several came to the office of the MUSICAL COURIER to tell us how immensely they were enjoying their work and how quickly they were progressing under your tuition. Now we would be happy to know if you have a certain system for conducting your classes."
18"Absolutely none. Several of my old pupils who had private lessons with me asked me whether I thought it advisable for them to register for my classes. My answer was invariably that I, myself, had not the faintest idea how the classes were going to be as it would depend entirely on the students who entered it. I have no prepared lectures which contain 'all the pearls of wisdom' with which they are to be bombarded and which could be purchased afterward for a certain sum. I informed my pupils they could enter my class if they wanted to; it was up to them to decide.
20"The first thing I told my class was to put down paper and pencil and listen to me with full attention. I told them that I much prefer them to understand thoroughly what I try to explain than to have all the notes verbally transcribed. I told them that if they really understood they would always be able to write down even in years to come what I had said to them. The result was that everybody sat down comfortably and asked questions. That was exactly what I wanted. After several questions, it became clear to me what was to be done and instead of telling them all sorts of highly interesting things I could speak exclusively about the things they actually needed. This, I think, is the secret why the students felt that they really got somewhere."
22"From what you tell me, it seems that you mean that the greatest hindrance to advancing progress is the accumulation of too many unsolved questions. There is, in my opinion, nothing more detrimental to real progress in teaching than vagueness in the statement of a teacher."
24"I can understand, Mr. Raab, that when you have only a limited time for a course the student must reveal to you in one way or another the point in which he needs your help most. It is like going to a physician and not telling exactly what you think is wrong with you. I knew a young man who used to go to his physician and say 'Doctor, I am not well,' and when asked by the doctor where he felt bad, he would answer 'You are the doctor. It is up to you to find out what is wrong with me.'"
26"You have said exactly what I wanted you to. I see you understand me perfectly. The student generally knows as well as the patient what is wrong with him. The thing for a teacher to do is to show the student his errors, the cause of them and how to get rid of them. It is most easy to remedy the ills if you go back to the cause. The trouble is that the student always expects some very complicated way to get out of his troubles and is amazed when he sees how simple it is to correct the faults.
28"Right you are again, Mr. Raab. In everything we have to get at the root of the ills to be thoroughly cured. Now you must have made many cures indeed, since I have heard that already there are several registrations at the Chicago Musical College for your classes for next summer. Did you know that?"
30"Well, if the material will be as fine as that of this year, I will look forward to it with pleasure."
32"When are you going to take a vacation?"
34"After September 7 I will take a good rest."
36"Where will you go?"
38"I am as yet undecided. I do not like to plan in advance, as there is a great deal of pleasure in surprising one's self. I may take a trip to Europe, may go to California, but what is certain, I need a vacation after twelve months of assiduous work. One gets tired mentally as well as physically, you know, and I am looking forward to a lovely trip."
40The luncheon was over. Mr. Raab had to go back to his class at the Chicago Musical College and we returned to our desk to dictate these lines.
42Samoiloff Students Appear in Recital
43In San Francisco a concert was given by four advanced students of Lazar S. Samoiloff in the Auditorium of the Emporium to introduce new singers, three of whom were native San Franciscans—Louise Niswonger, coloratura soprano; Margaret O'Dea, contralto and John G. Uppman, baritone. The fourth was Laura Stastka of New York.
45Regular concerts have been given in New York by Samoiloff students at stations WRNY and WMCA. For the purpose of curing nervousness over public appearances Mr. Samoiloff has arranged to have his students sing in the Wurlitzer Auditorium of the De Witt-Clinton School. Mr. Samoiloff was the speaker at the Oregon State Music Teachers' Convention this year, and at the urgent request of many of the members he returned to Portland to give master classes for a three weeks' period. From there he left for New York, in order to reopen his studio for the winter season with his assistant teachers on September 20.
47De Gueldre photo
48ALEXANDER RAAB.
50NEW YORK COLLEGE OF MUSIC
51Forty-seventh Year
52114-116 EAST 85th STREET
53Under the University of the State of New York
54Incorporated 1878
55CARL HEIN, Director
56AUGUST FRAEMCKE, Assistant one of two readings
57AUGUST FRAEMCKE, Professor of Piano one of two readings
58All branches of music leading to Teachers' Certificates. Diplomas and Degrees. Master Classes in Piano under AUGUST FRAEMCKE; Vocal: CARL HEIN; Violin and Chamber Music: HANS LETZ; Theory and Composition: Prof. Dr. CORNELIUS RYBNER; Violoncello: WILLIAM EBANN; forty other eminent instructors. Individual instruction. Classes in Harmony, Sight Singing, Ear Training, Counterpoint and Composition. Free and Partial Scholarship Examinations week of October 11th. Catalogue on application.
60The Cleveland Institute of Music
61FALL TERM OPENS SEPTEMBER 20
62Four year course in voice, instrument, or theory leads to teacher's certificate or diploma.
63Orchestra Course prepares for symphony positions.
64Applications for rooms in the student residence should be made as early as possible.
65Send for catalogue outlining courses and fees
66MRS. FRANKLYN B. SANDERS, Director
672827 Euclid Avenue
68Cleveland, Ohio
70NEW YORK PIANO CONSERVATORY
71and School of Affiliated Arts. A. VERNE WESTLAKE, Mus. D., Director
72A FACULTY OF THIRTY-FIVE TEACHERS
73FOURTEEN BRANCH SCHOOLS
74REGULAR COURSES in all branches of music leading to diplomas and degrees
75200 West 57th Street, New York
76Circle 0872
78Lambert MURPHY
79TENOR
80FORMERLY METROPOLITAN OPERA CO
81For Concert Engagements April 1st
82LOUDON CHARLTON
83Carnegie Hall New York
85VICTOR HARRIS
86TEACHER OF SINGING IN ALL ITS BRANCHES
87(Member of the American Academy of Teachers of Singing)
89REGINA A. deSALES
90VOCAL INSTRUCTION—REPERTORY
9110 Rue La Verrier (off rue 1er Assas) Paris (6 me) Tel. Fleurus 48-37
93CHARLES WAKEFIELD CADMAN
94COMPOSER-PIANIST
952220 Canyon Drive, Hollywood, Calif.
97MILDRED DILLING
98HARPIST
99Mgt. Haensel & Jones, Studio: 152 W. 57 St.
100Academy Hall, New York. N. Y. Tel. Circle 16119. one of two readings
101Acadian Hall, New York. N. Y. Tel. Circle 16119. one of two readings
103ELINOR WHITTEMORE
104CONCERT VIOLINIST
105Management R. E. Johnston 1451 Broadway N. Y.
107HANNA BUTLER
108Soprano
109PUPILS ACCEPTED
110512 Fine Arts Building Chicago, Ill.
112GRANBERRY
113PIANO SCHOOL
114ARTISTIC PIANO PLAYING
115Practical Training Course for Teachers.
116BOOKLETS—149 EAST 61ST STREET, NEW YORK
118AMERICAN CONSERVATORY
119Chicago's Foremost School of Music and Dramatic Art
120Ninety Artist-Instructors
121Catalogue Mailed Free
122John J. Hattstaedt, President
123Karleton Hackett, Adolf Weidig, Heniot Levy, Associate Directors
124KIMBALL HALL, CHICAGO, ILL.
126Institute of Musical Art
127of the City of New York
128120 Claremont Avenue
129FRANK DAMROSCH, Director
130A school for serious students. All branches. Moderate tuition fees.
131SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
132All talented advanced violin students will come under the personal observation and instruction of
133Prof. LEOPOLD AUER
135Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
136Founded 1867
137INCORPORATED
138A Complete School of Music
139Instrumental Voice Culture Opera Languages Dancing Orchestra Public School Music (accredited) and Drama Dept's.
140Ideal Dormitories accommodating 300 on ten acre campus
141Catalogue sent on Application
142BERTHA BAUR, Director
143BURNET C. TUTHILL, General Manager
144Highland Avenue and Oak St., Cincinnati, Ohio
146AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF APPLIED MUSIC
147METROPOLITAN COLLEGE OF MUSIC
148212 West Fifty-ninth Street, New York City
149FORTY-FIRST SEASON OPENS OCTOBER 4
150Kate S. Chittenden, Dean of the Faculty
151Piano, Theory, Normal Training Course
152Write for catalogue: ETHEL McINTOSH, Managing Director
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.