Books › Musical Courier 1928-12-20: Vol 97 Iss 25, 1928 › scan 44
Scan 44
Musical Courier 1928-12-20: Vol 97 Iss 25, 1928
119 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026, twice; the two readings disagreed in places. Printed page 45. See the scan on archive.org.
1December 20, 1928
2MUSICAL COURIER
4MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
6uable asset. The teacher impresses his ideals of tone quality upon the pupil and he can demand nothing better than his own concepts. With these he plays upon his own voice and with these he guides his pupils.
8* * *
9News of the Sectional Conferences
11NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE
12Ada Bicking, president, Lansing, Mich.
14The 1929 meeting of the North Central Conference is to be held in Milwaukee, April 16 to 19, with headquarters at the New Schroeder Hotel. This building has just been completed and will house the Conference adequately and with great convenience, having been built primarily to accommodate large conventions. Within the immediate vicinity of the New Schroeder Hotel are several other fine hotels which will take care of any overflow.
16The Milwaukee auditorium will be used for most of the meetings of the Conference. It is just two blocks from the headquarters hotel. It has a number of rooms suitable for meetings and other purposes and a large main hall seating seven thousand with stage room for two thousand.
18Herman Smith, supervisor of music in Milwaukee, and his corps of assistants extend to the Conference a most cordial welcome. They have music in their schools of which they may righteously boast and the Conference is fortunate in the fact that the Milwaukee schools have scheduled their Biennial Public School Music Festival during the week of the Conference meeting. Mr. Smith has already arranged also for concerts by the Milwaukee Lyric Male Chorus and the Milwaukee Young People's Orchestra, a unique organization sponsored by the local Civic Music Association.
20The general program will take the form of a music clinic and will follow the laboratory method idea. Many details of the plan will be announced very shortly. First vice-president W. W. Norton (Community Music Association, Flint, Mich.) is in charge of the membership campaign which will be started in an intensive way at an early date.
22The list of state chairmen is as follows:
23Illinois, Sadie Rafferty, Evanston Township High School, Evanston; Indiana, A. A. Glockzin, 1720 Virginia Ave., Connersville; Iowa, Clara Thomas, 1111 Perry Street, Davenport; Michigan, Clara E. Starr, 100 E. Grand River, Detroit; Minnesota, Mrs. Ann Dixon, 226 No. First Ave., E. Duluth; Nebraska, Charles B. Righter, Jr., 2839 Franklin Ave., Lincoln; North Dakota, Fannie C. Amidon, State Teachers College, Valley City; Ohio, Gaylord B. Humberger, 30 E. 5th St., Springfield; Western Ontario, E. W. Geoth Quantz, 161 Duchess Ave., London; South Dakota, Reva Russell, 910 So. Main, Aberdeen; Wisconsin, Theodore Winkler, Sheboygan.
25* * *
26Wisconsin—Stevens Point
27Central State Teachers' College of Stevens Point, Wis., conducts an Artists' Recital Course each year. The recitals are held in the college auditorium and the underwriting of the course is initiated by the college and supported by the town people of Stevens Point.
29The first recital of the year was that of Harry Farbman, violinist, who gave his recital November 21. His playing was very well received by the audience which was made up, of course, of the students of the Teachers' College and also the citizens of Stevens Point and from the towns nearby.
31F. E. P.
33Connecticut—New Haven
34The school year of 1927-28 resulted in an increased interest and growth in the Instrumental Department of the public schools. There are instrumental classes in all of the large schools with a total enrollment of 568 pupils studying different orchestra and band instruments. This work was begun on a larger scale three years ago and the result of this is that we now have seven bands, fourteen orchestras, nine bugle squads, and seven fife and drum corps. A contest of fife and drum corps and bugle squads was held on the New Haven Green during Boys' and Girls' Week in May, 1928, and aroused much public interest. The senior orchestra of the High School had a symphony concert during Music Week, playing among other things Mozart's G minor Symphony.
36In the senior High School there are 1350 pupils having regular assigned periods in vocal work. In the spring of 1928 the upper chorus of 600 voices, under the direction of William E. Brown, gave Mendelssohn's Elijah, with accompaniment played by the High School Orchestra. For the present year it is planned to present Haydn's oratorio, The Seasons, by a chorus of approximately 600 voices.
38There is to be a symphony concert by the orchestras of the High Schools in which Mendelssohn's Ruy Blas and Haydn's D Minor Symphony will be heard. There are to be contests in music appreciation, glee club contests, and the presentations of Cowen's Rose Maiden by the first year pupils in the High School, and one or two operettas by Junior High School pupils, also a public contest of the school bands, fife and drum corps, and bugle squad the same as last year.
40William E. Brown, who for many years has been the director of music in the schools of New Haven, has been appointed chairman of the Music Week Committee for the season 1928-29.
42Vermont—Rutland
43At the fall meeting of the school music teachers of Vermont, recently held in Rutland, the following program was given: My Impressions of the Orchestra Contest in Burlington, by Agnes Garland, Montpelier; The Responsibilities of a Music Supervisor, by Sadie MacArthur, Brattleboro; Deficiencies in our School Music Program, by Mary Markham, Castleton Normal.
45At the afternoon session there was music by pupils of the Rutland Graded School under the direction of C. V. Coan. The speaker was Howard G. Bennett, A. M., professor of music at the University of Vermont, who spoke on Romantic and Modern Music for High School Chorus and Glee Clubs.
47Officers were elected for the ensuing year.
49Maine—Waterville
50Plans are under way for the second Maine State Orchestra and Band Contest. This will be held in Lewiston, under the auspices of the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce, and many groups from all over the State have signed their intention of competing. Dorothy H. Marden of Waterville, Morris Reed Robinson of Island Falls and Elbridge S. Pitcher of Auburn are the committee in charge.
52At the annual meeting of the Maine Music Supervisors' Association, Dorothy Marden, of Waterville, was re-elected president; Dorothy B. Dean of Bangor, vice-president; and Ethel M. Lee, of Waterville, secretary-treasurer.
54There have been several changes in positions in the State. Doris H. Green is supervisor in Boothbay Harbor; Regina Therriault in Millinocket, Donald Lewis in Farmington Normal and Muriel Thomas in Fort Fairfield.
56RECENT MARRIAGES
57Audrey Snare of Hallowell and Donald Gray—Mrs. Gray is Supervisor of Music in Fairfield.
58Katharine Files of Waterville and Vaughn Clay—Mrs. Clay is Supervisor of Music in Hallowell and Winslow.
60Appleton, Wis.
61To inculcate a finer appreciation of good instrumental music in school children is the aim of Dr. Earl Baker, of the Lawrence College Conservatory of Music, and director of music in the Appleton public schools. The new program will devote from one to four music periods every month to the study of instrumental music and will be coordinated with the present program of music supervision which has been in effect for several years at Appleton. Under this proposed plan it is expected that pupils will become familiar with the great musical masterpieces.
63Publication of a school band course, composed of twenty-three books, which has been composed by E. C. Moore, director of the instrumental music at Lawrence Conservatory of Music, will soon be completed. The set, on which Mr. Moore has been working for the past three years, will be published by Carl Fischer, New York. Mr. Moore has had exceptional success in school band work, having trained school bands in Green Bay and Appleton that have rated high in their class at the state band tournaments. With the addition of Mr. Moore to the Lawrence College Conservatory of Music has come the inauguration of a course for the training of school band directors. The course which Mr. Moore has compiled will be used in his classes as soon as it is completed.
65G. C. one of two readings
66* * * one of two readings
67New Teaching Material one of two readings
68(Oliver Ditson Company, N. Y.) one of two readings
70Placement and Service Department one of two readings
71Cinderella and the Cat, an operetta in three acts. Libretto by H. M. Barr, music by W. H. Boyer. Fine for junior high school. one of two readings
73This Department is conducted for the convenience of Supervisors of Music who are seeking positions and for Superintendents of Schools who desire to engage teachers of music. There is no charge for a single insertion. Copy should be concise and typewritten, giving all information. No names will be published. Address, School and College Service Dept., THE MUSICAL COURIER.—The Editor. one of two readings
74Holiday Songs, for high schools and choral societies, by George W. Chadwick. Most of the material is arranged in four parts and consists of songs appropriate for patriotic and popular festivals. Fine harmonization, well done. one of two readings
76SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC, with four years' experience in several Eastern towns, would like to consider position for coming year. Would prefer to locate in Southern City. Will send credentials. Address A-21, MUSICAL COURIER. one of two readings
77The Violin: Its Famous Makers and Players, by Paul Stoevering, a Pocket Music Student edition. Much valuable information regarding the violin, its origin and construction. one of two readings
79WANTED SUPERVISOR. Young lady of good personality for position in first six grades. Must play piano and sing well. State training in first letter. To begin work in February. Address B-23, MUSICAL COURIER. one of two readings
80The Unknown Soldier, a short cantata for women's voices by E. S. Hosmer. Text by M. Josephine Moroney. A musical tribute to the Unknown Soldier, splendid writing for junior Glee Club in high school. Mostly two-part work. one of two readings
82GOOD INSTRUMENTAL teacher wanted for high school in city of nearly 100,000. Orchestra already established. Desire band organized—good material. State qualifications, training and experience in first letter. Communications will be considered confidential. Address B-31, MUSICAL COURIER. one of two readings
83(Carl Fischer, Inc., New York) one of two readings
85WANTED, SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC, for September, 1929, (man), one who is an organizer, who can supervise both grades and high school. Salary according to experience and ability. Send photograph and full details. Knowledge of band and orchestra absolutely necessary. Address B-29, MUSICAL COURIER. one of two readings
86National Standardized Symphonic Band Scores, issued under the editorial supervision of J. E. Maddy, and sponsored by the National Committee of Instrumental Music. Full scores for the symphonic band. Very valuable for all conductors of such organizations. This series contains full scores of music by Grieg, Elie, Hadley, and Beghon. one of two readings
88* * * one of two readings
89The Role of Imitation one of two readings
90Inasmuch as imitation requires less mental effort than original effort, it should form an important part of the training of beginners, who have enough to think of even when things are made as simple as possible. It is remarkable how much ground can be covered at the first lesson when the pupil is not burdened with thinking, but is merely asked to make music by ear and by imitation, after hearing and watching the teacher. If, however, the student is bewildered with long and tiresome explanations about the names of notes, key-signatures, time values and clefs, and is made to read the printed page and transfer it to the keyboard, his mind will be so crowded that he will lose the flow of the melody in the long intervals in which he is figuring out what note to play next. Anyone starting the study of piano has enough to do to become familiar with the keyboard, to learn how it feels to strike the keys and lift the fingers, and to make real little melodies for the first time. To expect more is only to hinder progress, and the only way of accomplishing anything without further taxation, is by making pupils play what is played for them. Explanations, of course, must follow in due time, but even after the pupil begins to read music, imitation should still occupy a significant role for many weeks. one of two readings
92Music Educators of Note
93Eldridge S. Pitcher
94is a well-known New England educator. He was born in Waldoboro, Maine, in 1865, receiving his early training at Teachers' State Normal School at Castine, Me., and at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass. Mr. Pitcher has been invaluable to the State of Maine in directing state festival choruses, and students' music festivals in the cities of Bangor and Portland. He is also well known as a singer and director of light operas. At present he is the president of the Eastern Supervisors' Conference, which will meet in Philadelphia for its bi-annual session early in 1929. Since 1900 Mr. Pitcher has been the director of school music in system at Auburn, Me.
96tains full scores of music by Grieg, Elie, Hadley, and Beghon. one of two readings
98* * * one of two readings
99The Role of Imitation one of two readings
100Inasmuch as imitation requires less mental effort than original effort, it should form an important part of the training of beginners, who have enough to think of even when things are made as simple as possible. It is remarkable how much ground can be covered at the first lesson when the pupil is not burdened with thinking, but is merely asked to make music by ear and by imitation, after hearing and watching the teacher. If, however, the student is bewildered with long and tiresome explanations about the names of notes, key-signatures, time values and clefs, and is made to read the printed page and transfer it to the keyboard, his mind will be so crowded that he will lose the flow of the melody in the long intervals in which he is figuring out what note to play next. Anyone starting the study of piano has enough to do to become familiar with the keyboard, to learn how it feels to strike the keys and lift the fingers, and to make real little melodies for the first time. To expect more is only to hinder progress, and the only way of accomplishing anything without further taxation, is by making pupils play what is played for them. Explanations, of course, must follow in due time, but even after the pupil begins to read music, imitation should still occupy a significant role for many weeks. one of two readings
102(no line here) one of two readings
103Questions Answered
105(no line here) one of two readings
106This "Question and Answer" Department is for Supervisors of Music who have questions to be answered or specific problems to be solved. All questions will be turned over to a specialist for an answer, which will appear in this column as soon as possible after being received.—The Editor.
108QUESTION—I am a supervisor of music in a small town in Ohio. The principal of the high school, in which I am teaching, says that it is a waste of time to use a phonograph in the class, and I do so want to teach Music Appreciation. The principal says, "Have them sing." Some of the pupils do not seem to take the right attitude and sometimes they will listen to the phonograph. What do you advise? L. S. B.
110ANSWER—The one answer to the adolescent boy or girl not singing in the high school or elsewhere is, "Make it fashionable," and then everyone will want to sing. This will necessitate skill, tact and resourcefulness on the part of the teacher. About the phonograph, it has its values but it is the experience of almost every successful teacher that self-activity in singing is much more interesting to the pupil than passive listening to many records. The psychological factor in each case is very different. The answer still is "Make singing fashionable."
112QUESTION—"What is the best method of securing good tone quality in the singing of very young children?" Marion B.
114ANSWER—Example, imitation. Of course the tones that children listen to should be of good quality, well produced and musical. The voice will produce the kinds of tones which the mind dictates. Imitation is the greatest factor in securing good tone quality from children. Following this, there are many suggestions which might be given. The three essentials of good singing tone are: (a) breath support, (b) tone direction, (c) the open throat. There are a number of good books on child voice. This is an important and widely discussed subject on which there is more or less disagreement as to "method." However, results are what count.
116QUESTION—"Last September I went to a new position where the books that are in use are very old. There are several different kinds. As I am in somewhat of a quandary won't you please tell me what series you think I ought to procure?" L. F. J.
118ANSWER—It would be somewhat difficult to answer this question without knowing the exact musical condition of the children, even if we could break our rule not to emphasize any particular series of books in this column. During the past few years a number of series of books have been published. There is fine material in every one of them. Perhaps if you were to make a survey of several series, which you probably know, do you not think you might be able to solve this problem for yourself?
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