The art of music, Vol. 04 (of 14) : $b Music in America
History
The art of music, Vol. 04 (of 14) : $b Music in America
Music -- History and criticism; Musicians
The introduction of music into the public schools has already been
discussed. It is a great tribute to the soundness of the pedagogic
principles laid down by Mason and Woodbridge, the pioneers in juvenile
musical education, that, despite the many new methods which have
been tried, music in the public school is largely conducted along
the original lines. Singing in chorus with use of specially prepared
and successively graded exercises printed on charts or written on
the blackboard and song books, and, most important of all, under the
leadership of a teacher with winning personality and knowledge of the
childish mind, has been found to produce the best results. So great
proficiency has been achieved in the training of juvenile choruses for
musical festivals that the only really satisfactory choruses given by a
great multitude of persons are the choruses of children, some of which
have exceeded three thousand voices.
The basis of juvenile instruction in music is marked rhythm and simple
melody, with a short range of pitch, which are best taught in unison.
The voices of the children with a good natural ear being fortunately in
a large majority they tend to correct the defective auditory perception
of the minority.
When the voices of the children are sufficiently trained by singing
together simple rote songs, musical analysis is begun. The notes are
taught to be recognized first by the ear, and then by the eye, and
a practical application of this knowledge is made by exercises and
songs. The same general process is pursued until, by the time the pupil
reaches the higher grades, he has acquired an ability to sing at sight
any new song which a non-professional musician is likely to be called
on to render.
In small American towns the regular teachers in the public schools
carry on musical exercises. But they are not without easy access to
knowledge of approved methods, for this is published in a special
magazine, 'The School Music Monthly,' which was established in 1900.
Many other magazines, educational as well as musical, contain articles
and even departments on the subject.
Furthermore, there exists a great and influential organization, the
Music Teachers' National Association, which was founded in 1876 with
Dr. Eben Tourjée as its president. This uses every means in the power
of an extra-governmental association to keep up the standard of musical
education in the country. It holds annual sessions wherein methods in
musical pedagogy are presented and discussed. In many states similar
associations are found whose membership is confined to music teachers
in the state. These are not affiliated with the National Association,
and their activities are less general in scope, although of more
immediate interest to the members because applied to matters of special
concern.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account