MUSIC IN SCHOOLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22864, 20 October 1937, Page 17

MUSIC IN SCHOOLS

DEVELOPMENT URGED UTILISING LEISURE TIME MARKED PROGRESS ABROAD The development of music in schools as part of New Zealand's education system was advocated by Mr. C. E. Begg. general manager of Charles Begg and Company, Limited, on his return from a prolonged tour abroad. He said that impressive strides had been made in this direction in America and Canada, and in England, to a lesser degree, but all three countries had a lesson to teach the Dominion.

"We pride ourselves on being leaders in social and cultural development," said Mr. Begg, "but we are certainly lagging behind in musical education. With greater leisure time at our disposal, something must be done to utilise it to the best purpose, and the Government should give some lead in promoting musical knowledge. Eventually it should result ill greater musical appreciation and more social happiness for the future." Every child should be given the opportunity of learning music at school, Mr. Begg added. Qualified teachers should be appointed to train school teachers, in order that music lessons could be part of the curriculum of every school. Graded lessons in theory and melody should first be given, leading to practical teaching as the scholar advanced in age. Many children possessed latent musical talent, which would thus be properly developed, and the possibility of future school orchestras and bands would leave no doubt as to the success of the general musicianship of the community in later years.