Canastota High School - Toot Yearbook (Canastota, NY)

Page 16 text:

14 THE TOOT of the affected part can be reproduced. Numerous severe cases can be cited where the X-ray has saved lives. With the constant advancement and development of electricity it would almost be impossible to mention the numerous purposes to which it is ap- plied. The electric age has just begun and electric art is progressing by gigantic strides. Each stride brings it more and more to modern life. This is especially true in America where capital is ever ready to encourage promising enterprises and where new systems constantly find unoccupied fields for development. DARWIN L. GREGG. AMERICA’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN MUSIC Someone has said that music is the universal language of the soul and since this is true, its development has gone along with that of civilization, leaving various types characteristic of these different stages of develop- ment. As the intellectual side of man expressed itself in the other arts, so has it in music. There are several sources of American music. Among the most prominent are, the music of the North American Indian, the ne- gro melodies, the Psalmody of the Puritans and the Kentucky Mountain songs. The Indian music has had little share in the actual development of the art, because when the Indian came under the influence of civilization, he cast off his old customs, and with them the accompanying music, so that only in rare instances have the tunes for war dances and religious rites been preserved. Although the negro brought his songs from Africa, they are usually regarded as American. He, in contrast to the Indian did not cast his melodies aside, and upon these many American and foreign composers have based their compositions, giving these beautiful plaintive tunes due recognition. A third source from which we have the term “American music” is the Psalmody of the Puritan. When the Puritans first migrated to America, they regarded singing as a sin and all their Psalms were read. Gradually, however, it became popular to chant them, and eventually a precentor was appointed, whose duty was to lead the psalms or hymns. After taking up the source of music in America, it may be well to con- sider a few of the composers who have greatly influenced its develop- ment. Edward Alexander McDowell holds the present position as an American composer and he has truly been classed as the “most gifted and characteristic representative of our national music”. Mr. MacDowell had the advantage of receiving his education in Europe when a very young man and his association w:th the great teacher, Raff, was considerable help to him. Of his mary orchestra compositions the “Indian Suits” has strongest appeal. In eighteen ninety-six, MacDowell was given the chair of music at Columbia University. He resigned this position in nineteen four. Another composer worthy of mention is Horatio Parker. Mr. Parker

Page 15 text:

THE TOOT .13 appears more in practical use in America than the electric motor. This machine was invented by an Englishman, Michael Faraday, but it has been improved and adapted for driving pewer to such a great extent in America that we can at least claim credit for its rise in the electrical world. It is a machine constructed on thoroughly sound engineering lines and is reliable, adaptable and suitable for use under the majority of conditions wheie driving power is needed. It has proved its value both in factories and workshops and in the driving of electric locomotives. In every case it has been found to be economical and efficient after once installed. Before leaving electricity as a motive pewer, it is necessary to mention the machine which generates the current, the dynamo. The dynamo dif- fers from the motor in that it converts mechanical energy into electrical while the motor converts electrical into mechanical. When we think of this, it either seems useless or that we have solved the problem of per- petual motion. It is not useless, for mechanical energy can be distributed a great distance from where it is made and the two machines will not de- velop perpetual motion because of friction. It is by the use of the dynamo that the hidden power of Niagara is converted into electrical energy and can be conducted to the surrounding cities by means of underground cables for illumination and other purposes. Electricity for illumination has been found to be the most satisfactory artificial light for citv ourposes. What a wrnd?rf”l a-ccmplishm-r t to throw a switch in a power station and produce an illuminous effect in the whole city nearly equal to that of the sun! In comparison with the candle of colonial days the electric light is a wonderful improvement and we owe its appearance to the electrical wizzard, Thomas Edison. However, there are two different kinds of lights in practical use. The light that Edison invented is the incandescent bulb and that used for street lighting was invented by Sir Humphrey Davy, an Englishman. Electricity is also rapidly taking the place of fuel for heating purposes. In the steel industry electric furnaces are now used practically altogether. They are not only a great improvement but their use adds greatly to the conservation of coal. Electric heating is also coming to the front in the household because of its many advantages. It ;s used for cooking as well as heating. One of the most necessary and useful of the electrical inven- tions is the telegraph invented in our own country by Robert Morse. This invention together with the laying of the Atlantic cable made immediate communication possible between America and Europe and finally with the whole world, one of the greatest accomplished in history. It was a sim- ple invention yet from it have come very great results. The telephone, the radio telephone and the wireless telegraph are closely related to the Morse invention. Among medical applications of electricity, the X-ray is probably the most familiar and important. It has proved itself of great service both to the dental and medical professions for examining internally. The rayn of light will pass thru any part of the body except bone so that a picturo

Page 17 text:

THE TOOT ' 15 gained great distinction, his 'Hora Novissima” having become a perman- ent addition to the repertories of the best choral societies of America and England. He has received the honorary degree of Doctor of Music and served as prcfessor of music at Yale University. The name of George Whitfield Chadwick must not be omitted from the list of compcsers, for he has exerted a great influence upon the music of America and become famous by his overture “Rip Van Winkle”. Chadwick is considered by critics the most important American musical composer, with the exception of MacDowell. Since eighteen ninety-seven he has conducted the annual music festival at Worcester, Massachusetts. Touchirg upon the American music of today there is one word which seems to express it most adeqately and that word is Popular. By popular we mean the music of the people, which consists of folk songs, national sergs, church music and last but not least, the present syncopated or commonly called jazz” music. Folk songs are these that have passed from one generation to another, and they will alwn.vs have a place in the hearts of the people. Stephen C. Foster is by far the best known writer of the folk-song. Among his compositions are “Old Folks at Heme,” “Old Black Joe,” “My Old Ken- tucky Home, Massas in the Cold, Cold Ground”—songs familiar to many nationalities. Words play a very important part in popular music, as is plainly illustrated in the touching words of “Home, Sweet Home” and in the jingle of the words of “Dixie”. The repertory of popular music in America is especially rich in patriotic and national songs. Such songs usually or’ginate in time of depression and war. The Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil war and the late World war have all had their part in calling forth certain songs. This pa- triotic music seems to act as an incentive to patriotism, enlistment and courage, cheering and inspiring our soldiers and sailors. Among some of the most popular patriotic songs are Yankee Doodle” introduced during the Revolutionary war. “The Constitution and Guerriere. during the War of 1812, Battle Hymn of the Republic, during the Civil war, and in the late World war “Keep the Heme Fires Burning.” “Long, Long Trail” were two of the numerous songs which gained popularity. The growth of the gospel and Sunday school hymn, the outcome or the revival and Sunday school movements, added to the trend of popular music in general. There has been much oppos’tion to the use of the popu- lar, secular song and there is no question that its spirit is far from religious, but it is the music which satisfies the uncultured taste, and as such is neces- sary in the less formal services of the church. Some of the gospel hvmns have become very popular. Such as “Sweet Bye and Bye, by J. P. Web- ster is sung wherever the English language is heard. The syncopated or jazz melodies have been abused by many, yet they have dene much in educating the public to an appreciation of music (continued on page 19