Music Trade Review
Issue: 1954 Vol. 113 N. 9 - Page 5
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Jfask J/iade
Established 1879
Vol. 113-No. 8
PIONEER
2,894th Issue
REVIEW
75th Year
THE
September, 1954
PUBLICATION
75th Year
O F T H E MUSIC
I N D U S T R Y
Adult Piano Classes Successful in Michigan
Schools as Music Appreciation Grows
NE of the outstanding examples of
efficient use of school music facili-
ties is in a Detroit suburb. Highland
Park. Mich. The school has recently in-
augurated piano classes in the evening
for parents. In addition to classes, the
schools also hold a mothers' piano class
during the afternoon; faculty piano
classes after school, three times a week;
and adult education piano classes—two
classes a night, three nights a week.
James L. Buckborough. director of
the Highland Park schools instrumental
music department, comments:
"\^ e encourage all of our adults to
take advantage of this music, but par-
ticularly like to have the parents of our
student musicians participate in the
program."
As in Chicago, at the close of the
school day the classrooms officially be-
come social centers in charge of the
recreation commission.
In Kalamazoo. Mich.; in Northfield,
Minn.: in East Providence, R. I.; in
Wasco. Cal. interest and participation
in school music has increased at a rate
greater than the total increase in stu-
dents. Administrators and educators see
this as a healthy indication of a need
for more music for young people and
in these four typical communities are
providing outstanding music facilities.
Stephen Farnum. supervisor of music
at East Providence, explains that for
three years before construction was be-
gun on the new high school and music
building in his community, citizens met
frequently to plan the project. In East
Providence they value music, according
to Farnum. "enough to provide for its
growth and development. Not only does
our new building provide a place for
the community's activities, but it is also
helping to stimulate and maintain the
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, SEPTEMBER, 1954
JAMES L. BUCKBOROUGH
INSTRUCTING AN ADULT PUPIL.
music interest in our youth. Only in
this way can we be sure of the continu-
ance of the love of music in our city. '
East Providence adults feel that the
music growing out of their schools is
enriching their whole community.
Whether it's the construction of an
elaborate music building like the one
in East Providence, R. I. or in Wasco.
Cal.; or whether it's making the best
use of present rooms with alterations
and remodeling, as they're doing in
Kansas City, Mo., music is finding it-
self in a bigger home. And in its big-
ger home, it is providing greater op-
portunity and pleasure for both adults
and youth.
The benefits of this trend toward mu-
tual use of school music facilities ex-
tend beyond individual pleasures to the
entire community. The community and
the schools are discovering an ever
greater common ground.
Adults are going back to school—to
the boom of the bass drum and the beat
of the carpenter's hammer.
Grown-ups want their "going back
to school" to be fun, and they are find-
ing that music is the correct answer. In
addition to the enjoyment they experi-
ence in this community music, these
musical citzens are feeling better about
the buildings they know must be con-
structed to keep American educational
standards high. They feel a new bond
between their schools and their com-
munity, a new warmth and apprecia-
tion for use that is made of their tax
money.
In Chicago, a dormant committee of
the Chicago Recreation Commission re-
organized in 1950—calling itself by a
new name: The Citizens Committee for
the Wider Use of the Schools.
Spurred primarily by PTA officials,
the committee includes representatives
from many of the city's youth and wom-
en's organizations. F. H. McKeag, the
committee's Board of Education repre-
sentative, explains:
60 Centers in Chicago
"In less than four years we have
been able to establish more than 60
centers throughout Chicago where we
have a potential of 400 schools. We
hope to add 30 centers this year, and in
1955 and '56 another 30."
In Chicago the potential is only
scratched, according to Mrs. Walter Ber-
ner, PTA official. "Within our city we
have literally hundreds of small com-
munities to educate to the greater use
of school facilities, and it will take time
for citizens to become aware that they
have this right."
One of the hopes of the Chicago com-
mittee is that much of the recreation in
the schools after academic hours will
be family recreation. McKeag feels:
"Music is one of the best all-age ac-
The Jfask J/iade
Established 1879
Vol. 113-No. 8
PIONEER
2,894th Issue
REVIEW
75th Year
THE
September, 1954
PUBLICATION
75th Year
O F T H E MUSIC
I N D U S T R Y
Adult Piano Classes Successful in Michigan
Schools as Music Appreciation Grows
NE of the outstanding examples of
efficient use of school music facili-
ties is in a Detroit suburb. Highland
Park. Mich. The school has recently in-
augurated piano classes in the evening
for parents. In addition to classes, the
schools also hold a mothers' piano class
during the afternoon; faculty piano
classes after school, three times a week;
and adult education piano classes—two
classes a night, three nights a week.
James L. Buckborough. director of
the Highland Park schools instrumental
music department, comments:
"\^ e encourage all of our adults to
take advantage of this music, but par-
ticularly like to have the parents of our
student musicians participate in the
program."
As in Chicago, at the close of the
school day the classrooms officially be-
come social centers in charge of the
recreation commission.
In Kalamazoo. Mich.; in Northfield,
Minn.: in East Providence, R. I.; in
Wasco. Cal. interest and participation
in school music has increased at a rate
greater than the total increase in stu-
dents. Administrators and educators see
this as a healthy indication of a need
for more music for young people and
in these four typical communities are
providing outstanding music facilities.
Stephen Farnum. supervisor of music
at East Providence, explains that for
three years before construction was be-
gun on the new high school and music
building in his community, citizens met
frequently to plan the project. In East
Providence they value music, according
to Farnum. "enough to provide for its
growth and development. Not only does
our new building provide a place for
the community's activities, but it is also
helping to stimulate and maintain the
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, SEPTEMBER, 1954
JAMES L. BUCKBOROUGH
INSTRUCTING AN ADULT PUPIL.
music interest in our youth. Only in
this way can we be sure of the continu-
ance of the love of music in our city. '
East Providence adults feel that the
music growing out of their schools is
enriching their whole community.
Whether it's the construction of an
elaborate music building like the one
in East Providence, R. I. or in Wasco.
Cal.; or whether it's making the best
use of present rooms with alterations
and remodeling, as they're doing in
Kansas City, Mo., music is finding it-
self in a bigger home. And in its big-
ger home, it is providing greater op-
portunity and pleasure for both adults
and youth.
The benefits of this trend toward mu-
tual use of school music facilities ex-
tend beyond individual pleasures to the
entire community. The community and
the schools are discovering an ever
greater common ground.
Adults are going back to school—to
the boom of the bass drum and the beat
of the carpenter's hammer.
Grown-ups want their "going back
to school" to be fun, and they are find-
ing that music is the correct answer. In
addition to the enjoyment they experi-
ence in this community music, these
musical citzens are feeling better about
the buildings they know must be con-
structed to keep American educational
standards high. They feel a new bond
between their schools and their com-
munity, a new warmth and apprecia-
tion for use that is made of their tax
money.
In Chicago, a dormant committee of
the Chicago Recreation Commission re-
organized in 1950—calling itself by a
new name: The Citizens Committee for
the Wider Use of the Schools.
Spurred primarily by PTA officials,
the committee includes representatives
from many of the city's youth and wom-
en's organizations. F. H. McKeag, the
committee's Board of Education repre-
sentative, explains:
60 Centers in Chicago
"In less than four years we have
been able to establish more than 60
centers throughout Chicago where we
have a potential of 400 schools. We
hope to add 30 centers this year, and in
1955 and '56 another 30."
In Chicago the potential is only
scratched, according to Mrs. Walter Ber-
ner, PTA official. "Within our city we
have literally hundreds of small com-
munities to educate to the greater use
of school facilities, and it will take time
for citizens to become aware that they
have this right."
One of the hopes of the Chicago com-
mittee is that much of the recreation in
the schools after academic hours will
be family recreation. McKeag feels:
"Music is one of the best all-age ac-
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