SINGING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 203, 27 August 1900, Page 2

SINGING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—As an old tonic sol faist and holder of the ancient interiaediate certificate ■ 0.N., which was ■ the highest grade certificate then in vogue, I can well sympathise with Mr Ihnes (and also with the pupil teachers at "the late examination) in his endeavours to educate the rising generation in elementary vocal music. The whole difficulty seems to me to arise from the fact that vocal musicis riot a pass subject in the present • Auckland Educational Board's schools examinations. Consequently the teaching of tonic sol fa is optional/and unless the teachers are musically inclined vocal music Is either shelved altogether, as is the case in one of our local schools, or, as. in another: school in close proximity,:deputed to the youngest pupil teacher for half an hour's instruction per week, Such was the gracious concession allowed in pur local district school, when the. Committee requested that vocal music should be taught at the suggestion of the Chairman. With regard to elementary vocal music, I contend that Auckland is at least a generation, behind the Old Country in that particular . respect, and wholly and solely because .tonic sol fa was not made a compulsory pass subject by the Auckland Educational Board. Headteachers will not take much interest in optional subjects when it is a matter of £ s. d. to them to give more attention to pass subjects. London had two tonic sol fa musical inspectors, J2 years ago, who did nothijng else but look after, the teaching of vocal music by that system, the. result of which is that choral societies exist everywhere,.. and are largely supplied by pupils /svho have acQUired a knowledge and cultivated the taste for vocal music through being taught . tonic sol fa as part of their daily curriculum. It is only those who have seen these results and have* taken part in the annual gatherings .at; thie Sydenham : Crystal, Palace, where the children assemble In their .thousands to sing the pretty sopgs and choruses they have learned at school, who-, can fully estimate the loss to ', our New Zealand children through an error ;Of judgirient on the part of tUe Auckland Educational Board, which has thus far, failed to give the children a sound; elementary vocal education; according to the powers entrusted tb it by the Education Act. The remedy.'is in the.Board's own hand3 v .Make tonic sol ,fa a pass subject 'and then its teaching will go on"by leaps anj bounds. Leave 'it in' its present lacka-; daisical condition and «it will ever be a" source of constant irritation between the Board's ,examinees and 'the pupilteachers at each recurring pupil teachers' examlriation.-^I am, etc., :, . R. J. HARDY. . Birkdale, Birkenhead.