Music Trade Review
Issue: 1880 Vol. 3 N. 3-A - Page 3
DEVOTED TO MUSIC, MUSICIANS, AND THE MUSIC TRADES.
DOMESTIC
.AJSTO E X P O R T
TR-A-IDE.
to those who have adopted this notation to show the results of its use witl
advantage to themselves. Students who have desired to do so have reac
Editor and Proprietor.
from it (at sight) the same passages as were read in other schools from th<|
established notation, and, in comparing the one with the other, I hav<
always made the fullest allowance for its many imperfections, and thi
greater difficulties which its employment involves. At every annual exami
Published on the 5th and 20th of each month,
nation the questions set on paper have been, so far as possible, translate!
At 849 Broadway, corner Fourteenth Street,
into it. The outcome of the Christmas examination of 1878 was that agains
1,764 students who sang from musical notation, only 207 sang from toni
"DOMESTIC" BUILDING.
sol-fa ; and that against 5,131 papers presented in the former notation, ther
I Post-paid one year, invariably in advance,
$3.00 were only 441 in the latter.
SUBSCRIPTION :
I entreat your Lordships to bear in mind that the question here raised
I Single copies
10
is not one of methods but of notations. Let who will teach and who wi]|
NEW YORK, AUGUST 5, 1880.
learn on whatever method he pleases, but let not the sanction of your Lore
ships be further given or implied to a notation or alphabet absolutely ui
known outside of Great Britain, the closest acquaintance with which fails
MUSICAL EDUCATION IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE.
enable its possessors to read music as it is ever written by musicians.
(Concluded.)
Some time must of necessity elapse before the changes I have propose
[Condensed from Dr. Hullah's report in the London Musical Standard.]
can be made, for if made at once the education grant for "music" noi
But the direct bearing of this greater amount of musical culture is no made to elementary schools must at once be reduced to zero. Being mad|
more evident in the German elementary school than in our own. The re- however, I am fully persuaded that they will bring about changes as grej
sults of the teachers' work, as I have repeatedly shown, are generally the in our own schools as has been brought about of late years in those of Be
poorest conceivable. Whereas in Switzerland, in Holland, and in Belgium, gmm and Holland; and, as a consequence, in the course of a generation
such results are in an eminent degree satisfactory. The schools of Holland refine the habits and manners of our own poorer classes to an extent u\
and Belgium more especially present instances without number of children precedented in any age or country.
I have, &c,
of the humblest class, of the ages of nine and ten, who can not only sing
(Signed)
JOHN
what they have learned with taste and refinement, but sing at sight passages
of considerable difficulty with as much ease and evident intelligence as they
would show in reading literary passages within the range of their compre-
THE "FIDDLE" WITH A PEDIGREE.
hension. The teaching of notes has gone along with or immediately fol-
A FARCE IN FOUR SCENES.
lowed the teaching of letters, and the one has presented no greater difficulty
than the other. I must not omit to mention that the Belgian and Dutch
Dramatis Personce.
schools have a great advantage over the German in the fact that their higher
EDWABD WAENER, a collector of violins in Brooklyn.
music classes are generally taught by a professor, " un maitre de musique
GEBHAED GUNDEEMANN, a dealer in and mender of violins in New Yorkj
apart," whose time and attention are devoted chiefly to this branch of mu-
HENET MoiiLBERG, a Brooklyn musician.
sical instruction ; the " accidence " only of musical grammar being entrusted
to a school teacher, from whose care the pupils are eventually passed on to
SCENE I.
that of the professor. Dr. Von Aken, school inspector for South Holland,
Gundermann's Store in New York.
expressed to me a strong opinion that music could only be effectually taught
under this arrangement.
G. (Showing a violin to Warner). Look here ! A splendid instrument
But music in the schools of Brussels has still another advantage over just the thing for you. I give it to you for $250.
W. May be fine enough, my friend, but I never buy a violin witho
that in all others I have visited ; the teaching of it is frequently and compe-
tently inspected. A musician of high repute, M. Auguste Bouillon, makes knowing exactly the pedigree. I must be sure where the instrument com*
occasional " surprise" visits to every school in Brussels during the hours from before making any purchase.
G. I shall try to make inquiries, and let you know then.
when the music lessons should be going on, notes whether the teacher and
W. All right. I shall call here again in about a week. (Exit.)
his class are at work, hears the lesson or a portion of it, and makes his re-
marks to the class publicly as it goes on, and to the teacher privately when
SCENE H.
it is over. This organization, as yet extended to the capital only, is in pro-
cess of extension to the whole country.
The Same.
I am disposed to think that there are in England means and appliances
(Two days later.)
whereby musical instruction in our elementary schools might be made to
HENRY MOLLBERG. (Entering.) Hello, Gundermann! Anything n^
equal that of Holland, and even of Belgium.
in the shape of instruments ? Ah, I see ; here is a genuine Italian
The musical instruction given in our normal schools might, in special here
Let me look at it.
instances, be carried further than it is, and students who show especial tal- strument.
You can look at it as long as you like. It is a fine instrument,
ent for the subject might at the end of their two years' training for the deed G.
can be easily sold for $1,000. But there ! Look at that o
school, be sent to the projected Royal College of Music at South Kensing- violin. ; and
I bought it very cheap, and patched it up. It has a fine tone,
ton, with a view to their formation into a body of music masters in towns or sounds like
an old Italian fiddle. A few days ago an old gentleman
districts where a sufficient number of schools to occupy the time of each one here, who seems
take interest in violins ; he would have bought it,
of them could be found together. Teachers of this class need not anywhere wanted to know its to
and as I did not wish to tell him that I bou
supersede the schoolmaster in his musical work, but they might aid him, it at a pawnbroker's history,
auction, he did not care to buy it. I do not know
both in the higher and the lower. Schoolmasters who did not need such name of the gentleman,
but he said he would come back.
aid, and who felt sure that without it they could meet the requirements of a
M. Now, why did you not invent a history ? Let me sit down here
competent inspector, could and would of course decline to accept it.
; I shall prepare a pedigree that will take any amateur
Whether this scheme or any other like it be adopted or not, it is, as I a few moments
(Sits down and writes. After a while he hands a paper to G.)
have represented to your Lordships again and again, of the first importance storm.
that the work of music teaching in schools aided by Government grants be that'll do, and satisfy your Maecenas. Good-day. (Exit.)
inspected at least once a year by musicians competent to the task. I have
SCENE m .
already suggested to your Lordships means by which such inspections might
The Same.
be carried into effect. I will only here suggest in addition, that some of it
might be tindertaken, as I am sure it would be willingly, by professors con-
(Six days later.)
nected with the new college, and that in connection with the reorganization
WAENEE. (Entering). Well, have you found out something about
of that college the class of students I have proposed to form be considered, violin I saw the other day ?
as well as the occasional employment as inspectors of its professors.
G. I have, sir, and prepared a little memorandum for you. (Handir
The first change in the present state of things in elementary schools paper to W.)
caused by the adoption of this scheme would be the giving an altogether new
W. (reading). "When Spohr, the great violin-player, was traveling
interpretation to the word "singing." This word should only be under- Italy, he came through Cremona, and happened to find there an excel]
stood to represent singing from notes, and those musical notes. Your Lord- violin. He took a fancy to it and purchased it. He played on it contj
ships will already have seen that in only one of the places I visited in my ally, till he concluded to use it in all his concerts on account of its giga
recent tour is any other than the recognized musical alphabet or notation in tone. It remained in Spohr's possession till his death, and Vieuxte^
use. Nowhere, save in Genoa, did I find, or hear mention of, any other. concertizing at Cassel, heard of the beautiful instrument and bought^
The sanction of the Committee of Council on Education was given some the heirs. When Vieuxtemps came to America, he brought it with hi
years since to the use of another notation in English normal and elementary sold it to a rich bachelor, who took a pride in it. After the death
schools. In the latter this notation is, I am told, much used ; but in the man it went into the possession of a nephew of his, a young scapegrace,]
former I find it at present in only three* out of 41 English normal schools, did not understand the value of the instrument, and he sold it to Ge>|
and in three^Bfit of seven Scottish. Every opportunity has been afforded Gundermann for tlie - jaBBl^^MiP_-"_ n Ah, I s e e ; if I pay you $;
^"
~ e is the
CHARLES AVERY WELLES,
DOMESTIC
.AJSTO E X P O R T
TR-A-IDE.
to those who have adopted this notation to show the results of its use witl
advantage to themselves. Students who have desired to do so have reac
Editor and Proprietor.
from it (at sight) the same passages as were read in other schools from th<|
established notation, and, in comparing the one with the other, I hav<
always made the fullest allowance for its many imperfections, and thi
greater difficulties which its employment involves. At every annual exami
Published on the 5th and 20th of each month,
nation the questions set on paper have been, so far as possible, translate!
At 849 Broadway, corner Fourteenth Street,
into it. The outcome of the Christmas examination of 1878 was that agains
1,764 students who sang from musical notation, only 207 sang from toni
"DOMESTIC" BUILDING.
sol-fa ; and that against 5,131 papers presented in the former notation, ther
I Post-paid one year, invariably in advance,
$3.00 were only 441 in the latter.
SUBSCRIPTION :
I entreat your Lordships to bear in mind that the question here raised
I Single copies
10
is not one of methods but of notations. Let who will teach and who wi]|
NEW YORK, AUGUST 5, 1880.
learn on whatever method he pleases, but let not the sanction of your Lore
ships be further given or implied to a notation or alphabet absolutely ui
known outside of Great Britain, the closest acquaintance with which fails
MUSICAL EDUCATION IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE.
enable its possessors to read music as it is ever written by musicians.
(Concluded.)
Some time must of necessity elapse before the changes I have propose
[Condensed from Dr. Hullah's report in the London Musical Standard.]
can be made, for if made at once the education grant for "music" noi
But the direct bearing of this greater amount of musical culture is no made to elementary schools must at once be reduced to zero. Being mad|
more evident in the German elementary school than in our own. The re- however, I am fully persuaded that they will bring about changes as grej
sults of the teachers' work, as I have repeatedly shown, are generally the in our own schools as has been brought about of late years in those of Be
poorest conceivable. Whereas in Switzerland, in Holland, and in Belgium, gmm and Holland; and, as a consequence, in the course of a generation
such results are in an eminent degree satisfactory. The schools of Holland refine the habits and manners of our own poorer classes to an extent u\
and Belgium more especially present instances without number of children precedented in any age or country.
I have, &c,
of the humblest class, of the ages of nine and ten, who can not only sing
(Signed)
JOHN
what they have learned with taste and refinement, but sing at sight passages
of considerable difficulty with as much ease and evident intelligence as they
would show in reading literary passages within the range of their compre-
THE "FIDDLE" WITH A PEDIGREE.
hension. The teaching of notes has gone along with or immediately fol-
A FARCE IN FOUR SCENES.
lowed the teaching of letters, and the one has presented no greater difficulty
than the other. I must not omit to mention that the Belgian and Dutch
Dramatis Personce.
schools have a great advantage over the German in the fact that their higher
EDWABD WAENER, a collector of violins in Brooklyn.
music classes are generally taught by a professor, " un maitre de musique
GEBHAED GUNDEEMANN, a dealer in and mender of violins in New Yorkj
apart," whose time and attention are devoted chiefly to this branch of mu-
HENET MoiiLBERG, a Brooklyn musician.
sical instruction ; the " accidence " only of musical grammar being entrusted
to a school teacher, from whose care the pupils are eventually passed on to
SCENE I.
that of the professor. Dr. Von Aken, school inspector for South Holland,
Gundermann's Store in New York.
expressed to me a strong opinion that music could only be effectually taught
under this arrangement.
G. (Showing a violin to Warner). Look here ! A splendid instrument
But music in the schools of Brussels has still another advantage over just the thing for you. I give it to you for $250.
W. May be fine enough, my friend, but I never buy a violin witho
that in all others I have visited ; the teaching of it is frequently and compe-
tently inspected. A musician of high repute, M. Auguste Bouillon, makes knowing exactly the pedigree. I must be sure where the instrument com*
occasional " surprise" visits to every school in Brussels during the hours from before making any purchase.
G. I shall try to make inquiries, and let you know then.
when the music lessons should be going on, notes whether the teacher and
W. All right. I shall call here again in about a week. (Exit.)
his class are at work, hears the lesson or a portion of it, and makes his re-
marks to the class publicly as it goes on, and to the teacher privately when
SCENE H.
it is over. This organization, as yet extended to the capital only, is in pro-
cess of extension to the whole country.
The Same.
I am disposed to think that there are in England means and appliances
(Two days later.)
whereby musical instruction in our elementary schools might be made to
HENRY MOLLBERG. (Entering.) Hello, Gundermann! Anything n^
equal that of Holland, and even of Belgium.
in the shape of instruments ? Ah, I see ; here is a genuine Italian
The musical instruction given in our normal schools might, in special here
Let me look at it.
instances, be carried further than it is, and students who show especial tal- strument.
You can look at it as long as you like. It is a fine instrument,
ent for the subject might at the end of their two years' training for the deed G.
can be easily sold for $1,000. But there ! Look at that o
school, be sent to the projected Royal College of Music at South Kensing- violin. ; and
I bought it very cheap, and patched it up. It has a fine tone,
ton, with a view to their formation into a body of music masters in towns or sounds like
an old Italian fiddle. A few days ago an old gentleman
districts where a sufficient number of schools to occupy the time of each one here, who seems
take interest in violins ; he would have bought it,
of them could be found together. Teachers of this class need not anywhere wanted to know its to
and as I did not wish to tell him that I bou
supersede the schoolmaster in his musical work, but they might aid him, it at a pawnbroker's history,
auction, he did not care to buy it. I do not know
both in the higher and the lower. Schoolmasters who did not need such name of the gentleman,
but he said he would come back.
aid, and who felt sure that without it they could meet the requirements of a
M. Now, why did you not invent a history ? Let me sit down here
competent inspector, could and would of course decline to accept it.
; I shall prepare a pedigree that will take any amateur
Whether this scheme or any other like it be adopted or not, it is, as I a few moments
(Sits down and writes. After a while he hands a paper to G.)
have represented to your Lordships again and again, of the first importance storm.
that the work of music teaching in schools aided by Government grants be that'll do, and satisfy your Maecenas. Good-day. (Exit.)
inspected at least once a year by musicians competent to the task. I have
SCENE m .
already suggested to your Lordships means by which such inspections might
The Same.
be carried into effect. I will only here suggest in addition, that some of it
might be tindertaken, as I am sure it would be willingly, by professors con-
(Six days later.)
nected with the new college, and that in connection with the reorganization
WAENEE. (Entering). Well, have you found out something about
of that college the class of students I have proposed to form be considered, violin I saw the other day ?
as well as the occasional employment as inspectors of its professors.
G. I have, sir, and prepared a little memorandum for you. (Handir
The first change in the present state of things in elementary schools paper to W.)
caused by the adoption of this scheme would be the giving an altogether new
W. (reading). "When Spohr, the great violin-player, was traveling
interpretation to the word "singing." This word should only be under- Italy, he came through Cremona, and happened to find there an excel]
stood to represent singing from notes, and those musical notes. Your Lord- violin. He took a fancy to it and purchased it. He played on it contj
ships will already have seen that in only one of the places I visited in my ally, till he concluded to use it in all his concerts on account of its giga
recent tour is any other than the recognized musical alphabet or notation in tone. It remained in Spohr's possession till his death, and Vieuxte^
use. Nowhere, save in Genoa, did I find, or hear mention of, any other. concertizing at Cassel, heard of the beautiful instrument and bought^
The sanction of the Committee of Council on Education was given some the heirs. When Vieuxtemps came to America, he brought it with hi
years since to the use of another notation in English normal and elementary sold it to a rich bachelor, who took a pride in it. After the death
schools. In the latter this notation is, I am told, much used ; but in the man it went into the possession of a nephew of his, a young scapegrace,]
former I find it at present in only three* out of 41 English normal schools, did not understand the value of the instrument, and he sold it to Ge>|
and in three^Bfit of seven Scottish. Every opportunity has been afforded Gundermann for tlie - jaBBl^^MiP_-"_ n Ah, I s e e ; if I pay you $;
^"
~ e is the
CHARLES AVERY WELLES,
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