MUSIC FOR CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 68, 21 March 1931, Page 11

MUSIC FOR CHILDREN

APPEAL TO PAEENTS

JUVENILE CONCERT LEAGUE

The Juvenile Concert -League, with its purpose of providing good music for Hits younger generation, has already boon referred to in "The' Post," and by now most parents liavo- received from their children attending school tho circulars which set out the plans of the league in detail. The league has the full support, or! tho Headmasters' Association, and Mr. John Bishop, founder of the league, has been given a most welcome- reception ~at all tho schools he has visited to explain tho proposed activities of the new society. In-further explanation of the worth of such a scheme to young children, and in the hope that still more parents will allow their eliildren to become members of tho league, • Mr., Bishop writes as follows:— "Have you as a parent given duo consideration, to tho possibilities and great?.worth of tho Concert League for our young people?. Have you thought of the lasting benefit and good it will bo for your own children in particular? Has it occurred to yoii that your children have little opportunity of hearing really fino music except in largo doses such as symphony and choral concerts? In fact, there 'is no music performed in Wellington for their especial enjoyment other than the 2YA children's sessions. Surely there is no parent in Wellington who would not take advantage of the splendid things' tho Concert League offers to' children. Tho membership of the league should not bo leftonly to the discretion of the children themselves, but should be urged and encouraged by their parents. Every child looks to his parent for a lead; caii we not direct their interest in music I into thoso channels that will lead to greater and finer appreciation of beauty —in fact, lead them away from tlio unwholesome) influence of bad art? They are- receptive- now in a degree' ncvpr to bo regained, in more mature years. Give- them this opportunity now and neither you nor they will ever regret it. , ■ LISTENERS ONLY. "You may well ask what tho league proposes to do and how it intends to carry out tho principles set forth. Let, ifc be clearly understood that, this is a league of listeners and not performers. For the small membership fee of 2s 6d per year any boy or girl may attend a series of concerts, very varied in nature, especially drawn up for their delight. There is no fixod age limit, but tho league suggests that tho concerts will appeal to all from tho ago of 10 years upward. The concerts will bo given in the Town Hall at ail hour suitable to most homes—Friday evenings at 6.30, lasting for about an. hour and a quarter. Members will hc/ir excerpts from tho finest orchestral and choral work, as well as solos performed by leading musicians. For their readier appreciation, items will be introduced by a fow short comments of general interest; and care will bo taken in every way that both music and remarks will bo well within tho scope of their understanding. "For the annual subscription ot liv your boys and girls may have the interest and joy of three concerts this year. (It is hoped that there may be more next year, and more again the following year, without any increase in the subscription.) In London the children's concerts are so crowded that every Saturday morning many who come too late are turned away. There, as here, no adult may. go without a child; and the league proposes that parents who wish to escort their children to tlio concerts and share their interest in the programmes may do so without any extra, cost. "THE BEST." ' ' Music plays a far greater part in our lives than most of,us realise. Deep in every child thero is the instinctive love of music, and one cannot awaken this love and encourage it in the direction most advantageous for the child's general development and later enjoyment too early. All parents would surely wish their children to appreciate the finest in everything. This is only possible by repeatedly presenting the best to them in their most receptive years. The 'best' in all art is that which stimulates to activity the imaginative and expressive powers of the individual, and music being the most universal of all arts is therefore also the most easily degraded to the common-place. NO ' 'INCOMPREHENSIBLE DOSES." "It is a duty, then, if wo wish ilic young people to grow up with a knowledge and appreciation of fine music_ to give them every opportunity of hearing it—not in long, and incomprehensibledoses, but so as to appeal to their imaginative and interpretative faculties. The type of music the average boy and girl hears, apart from the hymns and songs he gets at school, is of a very poor nture- —music to bo of any worth must appeal to more than the meresense —and wholesome music is just as important as wholesome literature and healthy exercise. Jazz owesits popularity "to its sensationalism —its primitive appeal to tho senses —undoubtedly tho most easily apprehended of all appeals —but not by any moans the moat full and lasting. In an age where sensationalism is easily found, and a craving for it is consequently rife, surely every thinking parent will realise the necessity of placing before his children every possible opportunity _of developing on higher pianos. No one ; will deny the evil influences of a persistent seeking for sensational excitement, especially in young people —and heroin the work of the Concert League is one great-way of giving boys and girls an opportunity of learning to naturally select for themselves one of tho finest forms of entertainment and enjoyment—a form which will appeal to the mind and the heart rather than to tho senses. "Will you as parent give your boys and girls this opportunity of broadening their cultural outlook? You will be laying for them a suro foundation of greater, and greater enjoyment to come, for music can give, as nothing else can, that expression of emotional and spiritual experience which is essential in some form to every human being. Hundreds-of ■ young folk have already joined the league. If yours are not already members will you fill up the enrolment form and return to the school? If you have not a form will you apply to the headmaster or headmistress for one? We rely on your support in this great work."