TONIC SOL-FA.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1639, 20 May 1875, Page 3

TONIC SOL-FA.

(To the Editor of/the EVENING Star). Si Kj _l find according to the Star of May 17 I am engaged by some ministers of religion at Parnell to teach the Tonic Sol-fa system to their " young people." Those who make any communication to the papers should at least have some regard for the truth. Now, sir, the paragraph I refer to is all I know about the matter. 1 certainly have been teaching a class at Parnell for the last six months (nearly all adults), and expect to commence another a3 soon as I receive the books from England, but so far as I know not connected with any religious denomination. I have noticed in your observations on the Sol-fa system at different times you lay great stress on the adaptability of that method for teaching the young. I rejoice that such is the case, and need only refer to the fact that the London School Board and most of those in Scotland have adopted the Sol-fa method in their schools in corroboration of what you write ; but some may be led into the idea that it is suitable for children only, which is a great mistake. In the Society of Arts Examinations, between the years 1866 and 18/1, Tonic Sol-faists have obtained nine out of the ten prizes, and 215 out of the 328 certificates. Space would not permit me to mention a tithe of the music printed in the Sol-fa notation, but I may mention the Messiah, Israel in Egypt, Judas Maccabseus, Samson, Jeptha, Solomon Mendelssohn s St Paul, Haydn's Creation, Seasons, Beethoven's, Haydn's Mozarts, and Weber s masses, etc.,. and 28 volumes of the Tonic Sol-fa Reporter, consisting of anthems, glees, songs, etc. ; and I think I may sa ely state that no tune book has appeared of late years, which has not been printed in both notations. The motto of the Tonic Sol-fa method is-easy, cheap, and true.—Yours, &c, T. Obanwbll.