Cincinnati Conservatory of Music - Pans Pipers Yearbook (Cincinnati, OH)

Page 95 text:

PUBLIC SCHOOL MUSIC UBLIC School Music is quite a recent feature in our American schools. A little over seventy years ago, Dr. Lowell Mason became the father of Public School Music at Boston. Now there are three organizations: the National Conference, the Eastern and the Northern Supervisors, with teachers numbering into the thousands. The department of Public School Music was started at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1905, conducted by Mrs. Pace, with an enrollment of fourteen members. Miss Blanche Woody was the next in charge, and now Mrs. Forrest Crowley is at the head of this department. It is quite unfair to call Mrs. Crowley the head of this department, because she is the whole department itself. In 1923, a big step was taken which affiliated the Conservatory with the Cincinnati University, so that now the course offers a degree in Education in Public School Music. The slogan for the 1924 National Conference, which met in Kansas City, Missouri, was: uMueic for every child, and every child for music . The enrollment for the year 1924-1925 is sixty members, the largest in the history of this department. Public School Music in the Conservatory occupies a new position, in that it alfords the world of Supervisors a much broader field for musicianship, a wonderful opportunity for hearing music of all kinds, instrumental and vocal, more so than does a normal school or university. In spite of the fact that Public School Music is difficult for the person choosing mUsic as a profession, a greater number are attracted to this profession each year. Public School Music aims first of all to bring to the masses more and better music. Music must be a part of everyone's life, and not only for the musically gifted. People must be taught to appreciate the virtuoso and to become intelligent listeners. Years ago, the talented girl or boy planning a musical career found con- cert work, the opera, the orchestra or private teaching to be the only fields open. Today, the profession of Public School Music affords the greatest fields for opportunity, not only as an outlet for musical talent, but for unselfish service to a community. It is to this end that this department is hard at work. A course in Music Appreciation is now included in the Public School Music work. Mrs. Nell Sharp Tallentire, former State Music Supervisor of Ohio, is bringing to these appreciation courses an enthusiasm, inspiration and practical element that will aid tremendously in bringing to the average child in school a keener sense of music values and a higher standard in music. Mrs. Crowley says that 'tOut of our teaching music in the school will grow a great love for good music, community singing and orchestra, and out of these will grow a national music, for the lack of which we have been justly criticised. My years of expe- rience have proved the value of a music period; the children love it, and to me this seems to be one of its best justifications. It is a growth into something inspirational and beautiful, and while it requires a quickness of intellect, care- ful concentration, the joy of singing and playing appeals to the children. They not only acquire practical knowledge of the fundamentals and technicalities of music, but lay a foundation for a better understanding, that not only contributes to their own happiness and development, but adds to the cultural life of the community . eMARION LEHNE.

Page 94 text:

f , 6 19 ' ' ' H- PUBLIC SCHOOL MUSIC MRS. FORREST G. CROWLEY, Mus. M. Public School Musici uAnd all her parts are peace . '. 9: . - . 2'3 ; 12H, Page 88

Page 96 text:

PUBLIC SCHOOL MUSIC STUDENTS Pugv 90