Music Trade Review

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500 YOUNG MUSICIANS
HAVE BEEN .
TRAINED BY
MERN REITLER
By ALMA H. BOEHM
A DOLL-LIKE GROUP OF PLAYERS
F
IVE hundred pupils participating in twenty-seven or- receive information as to what instrument each child prefers
chestras with ten different musical instruments repre- and how much instruction, if any, he has already had.
sented, is the outstanding achievement of
"Then we have a meeting of the parents and the
Mern Reitler, Denver music teacher. Miss
children who are to participate. This is a sort of
Reitler also has the distinction of having the
pep-up meeting. I outline my plan for the year's
youngest group of musicians in the world and the
w r ork and cite other country school orchestras and
only children's piano accordian band of its kind.
what they are doing.
"Often I have a neighboring school put on an
This is a record that leaves one gasping with
entertainment as a demonstration of what really
astonishment. Only a person with much patience
can be accomplished. This always goes over big
and unlimited enthusiasm, with a deep-rooted love
and works up a lot of enthusiasm for the new
for both music and children could scale the
orchestra.
heights that Miss Reitler has.
Her pupils are nearly all children and she con-
"The instruments are given to the children on
centrates on class instruction and ensemble play-
trial. That is, if at the end of three months the
ing, believing that a child can be taught music
child discovers he would rather play the violin,
in a group just as easily as in a private lesson and
for instance, than the clarinet, he has the privilege
get much more enjoyment out of it.
of exchanging. Also if either parent or child dis-
covers that the child cannot learn to play he may
Of these twenty-seven orchestras, twelve are
return the instrument at the end of this time.
country school orchestras, ten are town orchestras
However, I have yet to receive a musical instru-
composed of children ranging in ages from two
ment back because of this latter reason. The chil-
and a half years to sixteen years of age, and five
dren become very much interested in their or-
adult groups which are sponsored by lodges,
chestra almost at once, and of course I believe that
churches, or civic organizations.
every child can be taught music.
" I teach ensemble playing almost entirely and
MISS MERN
"I may add that I try to aid the child in the
I love every phase of it. For instance, my work
REITLER
selection of his instrument whenever a suggestion
with country school orchestras is extremely inter-
esting though hard at times. My first step is to see the school is needed. For example a child with protruding teeth should
(Please turn to page 25)
board and sell them on the idea. Usually I find the board
members progressive and anxious to do what they can for
their school. After I receive the permission of the school
board, I pass out questionnaires to those children who think
they would like to play in the orchestra. • In this way I
Cooperation with school authorities
and
parent teachers' associations the secret of
the success of Denver teacher . . . Students
range from
two-year-olds to
grown-ups.
Specializes in ensemble work.
MISS REITLER'S MIDGET ORCHESTRA No. 3
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
December,
1931