HIGHER ART

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 109, 9 May 1923, Page 5

HIGHER ART

STANDARD OF MUSIC

TO THE BDIIO*.

Sir,—l have perused with much interest the letter written by Mr. E. C. Cachemaille (resident secretary, Associated Board R.A.M. and B.S.M^, which appeared in the issue of "The Post" of 4th inst., arid I am of opinion that in expressing his views in the Press he has rendered a signal service to the people of this Dominion.

It is astonishing to find that out of 316,200 young people in New Zealand, there is such a small percentage who are devoting themselves to the study of higher art. There is. no doubt whatever in my mind that the fault lies chiefly in connection with our present educational system. Not only in musical education, but in the teaching of elocution in our public schools there 13 a great lack of efficiency, and I make this statement without intending to reflect in any way on the teachers in our schools. It is not their business to become proficient in teaching these subjects. It.is a fact, Sir, that in certain denominational schools, competent professional instruction in music and elocution is provided for the pupils, but not so in our public State schools.

I agree with Mr. Cachemaille in his statement that the tendency to ragtime "points to almost universal capacity for musical appreciation." It is a "reaching out" by the rising generation for something which is not otherwise provided for them.

Already there are institutions in our midst which have recognised the need for organised efforts in order to counteract the almost natural tendency of our young people to seek after the popular and fashionable music—the jazz and the vaudeville, both good in their place^-and to neglect the study of higher art. The Society of Musicians, WellingZton (incorporated), has given this question some consideration ' and has approached the Parliament of New Zealand by making efforts to secure a standard by means of registration, as has been done in the medical, legal, dental, accountancy and other professions, but this was met with the reply that an attempt was being made to create a "cloEe corportion." Then again, the Wellington Competitions Society (incorporated) is this year making an effort on behalf of_ our public schools, to create greater interest in music and singing, and a class has been provided in the syllabus for the next sessions of the society, whereby trained school choirs will compete for a valuable shield which has been donated by certain musical firms in this city.

I hope that the Society of Musicians may yet succeed in their efforts to obtain the recogntion of a standard in music which has been fixed in other professions by Act of Parliament. I trust also that the Wellington Competitions Society will go on extending their effovts and increasing the number of scholarships which they are at present allotting annually. These efforts are good so far as they go, and will certainly tend to improve matters, but much more remains to be done.

I refrain from further trespass on your space and would add in closing that I hope Mr. Cachemaille will go further in his advocacy of a higher standard of music in this Dominion, because I see no reason why New Zealand should not in due time reach the musical success of other lands to a very large extent, but the organisation, facilities, and instruction must be developed now.—l am, etc., P. G. QKAY,

9th May s