A PLEA FOB MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18180, 28 August 1922, Page 3

A PLEA FOB MUSIC.

Sir, criticißm of tho singing in primary schools passed by Mr. Owen at the Choral Society's conference is certainly food for reflection. Many of the arts are not possible, or within the reach of everybody, but music is tho one art that can be mastered more or less by everyone. What is . behind the present popularitx of community singing? * Is it not the desire to satisfy the natural hanger for the enjoyment of that is within us? Owing to education we are shut out from the enjoyment of better things, and it is only the level of a community sing that the rank and file of us can rise to. The human voice is an ifff&rument of immense possibilities, attainable inasmuch as the owner of the instrument has practicable knowledge of its use. Many Melbas and McCormicks have lived and died, each possessing an instrument of great charm, unknown to themselves or others, lost to humanity for want of discovery. Music taSes a great part in the programme of life, and it, is quite a sane | claim that it be an essential in our public schools' ourriculum. It may not be an essential for earning the daily bread, but man doth riot live by bread alone, and a brief reflection reveals the fact that music in one form or another is interwoven with most of life's pleasures. At "present the rudimsnts of tonic-sol-fa . are taught in the schools,, but its use 'practicjtJly ceases with the schools. A tonio-sol-fa student will be a better reader of the staff notation for having studied the tonic, but the staff is the form in which all standard music is written—and tho knowledge of the staff is the first study nepsssary for either vocal or instrnmetrfolists. Consequently tho pupils leaving our primary schools and desiring to take up music have to start at the beginning. Now, if the tonic-sol-fa was taucht in _ the lower standards and the staff notation in the upper standards, the children leaving school roould have "the foundation laid, 'and instead of going through life with music a closed book as it is to thousands to-day, they would possess the knowledge that would enable them to enjoy and appreciate music to an extent otherwise impossible. The drawback in choral societies, choirs and other voice combinations, is principally the fact. that they are in the majority such shocking readers, they struggle on with a smattering of knowledge gained by experience. Music,, and what, it means to humanity woula 'take space to tell, but any steps taken to_j>ive every child in the land a free entrance to the enjoyment its best will be one of the most uplifting influences-for the good 6i the people. , T. T. Gabxand. Mount Eden, August 26, 1522.