MUSICAL EDUCATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 467, 27 March 1909, Page 13

MUSICAL EDUCATION.

ITS WEAK SIDE IN NEW ZEALAND. AND THE REMEDY. [By C. A. Yopnc] Delegates from the various branches of tho Society of Professional Musicians, and tho Senate of tho University havo recently been in Bession in Auckland. The delegates havo discussed various subjects moro or less interesting to themselves, but it can hardly be said that thoy havo done anything to advance or improve musical education, whilo tho Sonato has at least advanced tho idea of establishing a conservatorium in the Dominion, and has appointed a committee of themselves to work out a comprehensive scheme for consideration of Government, with the riow, of course, of obtaining tho necessary financial assistance. Tho present, therefore, appears an opportune time to open up for public discussion the whole subject of musical education in the Dominion. The Society of Professional Musicians. Branches of the Society of Professional Musicians havo been established, in the centres of population. The original intention may have been to elevate tasto in music, but in somo centres tho movement seems to havo degenerated into a means of advertising local teachers, and, instead of the society consisting exclusively of the highest educated musicians, professional and amateur, tho articles of association have been extended to admit local pupils who havo been successful in obtaining tho cheap awards of the peregrinatr ing examiners of the Associated Board of tho R.A.M. and R.C.M., and of Trinity College, London. The admission of these comparatively inexperienced musicians has stultified the original purpose and intention of thisj society, has paralysed tho endeavours of tho hotter class of musical teachers to elevate the standard of public taste, and has caused the society to be looked upon by educated amateur musicians with some disfavour. Discord is tho result', and where, in certain contres, ono sees misleading amateurs forming and successfully conducting orchestral or choral societies,. ono also finds tho professional clement standing sovorely aloof (unless they are paid for their servises), instead of taking tho lead in all matters of musical education, and so forming a sort of local conservarorium. Surely such united action would not only elevate public taste, but would extend tho interest, and so increase- tho numbor desiring higher musical education. Annual conferences. Delegates, of tho Society of Professional Musicians meet annually in tho larger local contres, but their deliberations are not always characterised by a broad desire to improve matters for the general public. They oppose the idea of sotting up a conservatorium. to establish and control an educated body of musical teachers, the whilo they endeavour to improve their individual musical status by Act of Parliament. They suggost tho formation and support of a first-class orchestra — of course by Government—to porambulate the Dominion for tho education of tho. people, but what are they doing in their own localities to assist tho Orchestral and Choral Societies at present in existence ? _ It is very much to be hoped Parliament will continue to refuse its sanction to this, so-called, " Musicians Bill," as, without doubt, the proper controlling power in all musical matters should be a musical conservatorium, or a Chair of Music at the University, branches being extended to the larger centres as population increases. It is not forgotten that diplomas, certificates, etc., are not in vogue on the Continent of Europe, but tho writer contends that'the system which obtains in England is tho moro satisfactory, as it accords with our system of general education. It was opportune that the University Senate was in session in Auckland at tho same timo (January, 1909) that the delegates of the various provincial branches of the Society of Professional Musicians held their annual conference, when the published reports of the various subjects discussed by tho latter, and the action of tho Senate of the University in favour of Mr. Louis Cohen's motion to establish a conservatorium, afforded food for reflection. It was then demonstrated that, if tho standard of musical public opinion was to bo raised, it must be done by some recognised central authority commanding public approbation.

Our Peregrinating Examiners. Only tho cognisant are aware of the deleterious effect which some of these oxaminors aro exercising on the systematic education or the yontli of tho Dominion. While the colony was yet in its infancy no doubt they served a good purpose, but the time has suroly arrived when we should shake ourselves free from their leading-strings, and the money paid their London Associations m fees, etc —some £3500 per annum—be retained in tho Dominion. Of course the time is tar in. tho future when we can become a aw unto ourselves in this matter, but a better system might bo suggested, such; as selecting our own academic musical authorities from the active musical centres in iiuropo, and limiting their periods of office, so that we may thus keep ourselves in tho stream of musical progress. Local Centra Examinations. But to return. These gentlemen are appointed by tho : recognised musical associations of Great Britain, such as tho Royal Acadomy of Music, the Royal College of Music, and Trinity College, London. These bodies promulgate a system of examination, and appoint examiners to visit tho colonies 01 tlio,English-speaking race. Two visit New Zealand, one appointed by tho Associated Board of R A.M and R.0.M., tho other by Unmty College, London. Test pieces are selected each year, and copies sent out from ling and to be supplied to the various teachers of music, who select their.most promising pupils in the various branches of musical education-instrumental, theoretical and historical-to study these, in preparation tor the annual or biennial examinations held at tho various centres of population. Under this system, a pupil may hammer away at a test piece for tho hotter part of ., a >' e 1 ? r > an , d when presenting her or iiimsolr bcioro these examiners, bo unable to read any other piece, simple or 'intrivate, at sight, and may be ignorant of the other branches of musical knowledge, and may oven gain a grado gold modal for having played a test piece better than all other competitors. Such a successful pupil will, on the kudos of this gold medal, at once set up a studio, and proceed to advertise her or his ability to teach music to the youth of tho Dominion. There aro numerous "professors of music " of this kind in our cities and throughout the country. In many cases theso aro ui possession of private means, and morely do this for occupation, or to supply themselves with pin-monoy. And so parents, being ignorant of all 'knowledge of matters musical, are deluded by tho false value of tho awards made by the examiners, exaggerate tho ability of the local professor who taught those latest aspirants to teaching fame, and send their children to such to receive their education in music. In this way the deterioration of music as an art proceeds. Capablo music teachers arc crowded out in competition with tho reduced terms of numerous holders of cheap certificates, and an impure and false standard of musical taste or opinion is formed. Nor do the evils of the present system of musical tuition rest hore, for the comparative value of one examination being lower than that of the_ other —the "passes"' in tho different subjects being obtained by a lesser or casior valuo of marks—some shrewd teachers of music naturally prefer to submit their pupils to the easier system of examination. Thereby, more of their pupils gain a "pass," and the result is greater credit and ignorant public favour to themselves. Theso remarks apply to "local centro examinations " only. Examinations for the " Liccntiatnsliip " of the Associated Board, R.A.C. and R.C.M., and " teachers' certificate examinations" are on a higher plane, and would probably " lloor" a few of om professional musicians in active practice. The establishment of a consorvatorium or othoi central aiid capable authority, would set all this right, would raise tho standard of publie education in music, and generally improve the status of tho honest and capable I teacher.