Morningside College - Sioux Yearbook (Sioux City, IA)

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1915 SIOUX x much more than mere ornamental appen- dages: they have a decided value in the building of individuality, and in this work the line arts have a great and valuable place. This has been recognized to a great extent in the study of literature, and after literature, music has the most uni- versal appeal of all the fine arts. This accounts for the fact that, whereas fifty years ago music was not thought of as a study worthy of recognition in the College curriculum, it now has an honored place, indeed, many Colleges grant the Bache- lors degree for a College course with music, even including in some cases the practical study of the art, as a major- This is indeed a far cry from the day. not very many years ago, when a promi- nent musician offered his services as in- structor in music to Harvard University without salary, The Conservatory at Morningside seeks first to extend the influence of the art t0 the student body at large: SGC0f10llY to the community surrounding it: and l21SflY. but not least, to its own body of earnest students. The courses of study are organized on the same general basis as the courses in the College of Liberal Arts. A certain amount of preliminary training is re- quired for entrance on the regular colle- giate course of four years, which is ar- ranged in Freshman, Sophomore, junior and Senior years. These four years of training embrace thorough study of at least one practical branch, such as the piano, singing, violin, etc., also four years training in the theory of music, harmony, counterpoint, history of music, etc., also attendance during the period of study on one College or Academy subject to be selected according to the needs of the student. As to the standards required of the graduates, they are based on the recog- nized standards adopted by the most not- ed music schools of America and Europe. The study of music has made rapid and substantial progress during the last few years, and we feel that Morningside may be justly proud that its Conservatory holds a place in the very front rank. lghgzirzll iihurutinn fBy Miss Margaret Brandi Throughout all history the attitude to- ward physical training has been con- stantly changing. In the earliest times brute strength was 'rated as the greatest of all virtues. The strongest man of the tribe was the leader and the weaklin8 was soon weeded out. Down until the Christian era we find this same emphasis laid on physical development, but with the growth of the early Christian Cl1Ul'Cl1 there came a strong reaction. Men be- gan to think that the only way to Hflqulre merit was through the denial of all Phy' sical needs and pleasures, so, led by the monks, they practised the most hideous tortures upon themselves, thinking that by thus umortifying the flesh they would grow spiritually. 4 But with the advance in Science, this morbid asceticism also disappeared. Slowly men discovered that the mind could not do its best work without efficient tools. The body was developed as the servant of the mind, and we find the pio- neers of modern physical training begin- ning their work with this idea, especially in Germany and Sweden. More recent- ly still, we find yet another attitude pre- vailing with regard to physical develop- ment. We now know that not only does MORNINGSIDE 7'hirt0r'n

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Twelve sional man now in obscurity might rise to the highest rank if he were far-seeing enough to train his voice and body as well as his mind. Dr. Edward Everett Hale contends that The young Ameri- can, with common school education, who cannot make a speech on any ordinary subject at a moment's notice, is wanting in one of the most important attributes of the American make-up. It has frequently been said that training for citizenship is the ultimate aim of all education. But what are the requisites of good citizenship? First, an intelligent interest in the public questions of the day, and second, the ability to discuss these questions intelligently, and thus contribute to the forming of a safe and sane public opinion. The department of public speak- ing, using for material topics pertaining to public questions, and training students in clear, vigorous thinking and effective speaking, .contributes to the making of good citizens. It is the aim to make the work of the Department of Public Speaking of a very practical nature: to afford real prepara- tion for the activities of life. It matters not for what occupation or profession a student may be preparing, he will have abundant opportunities to use the training which he has received in Public Speak- ing. This is especially true of the work in debate. The student is trained in in- dependent and constructive thinking. He forms the habit of looking deeply into questions and seeing both sides of propo- sitions. l-le learns to discover the vital issues, and he is not easily misled by minor points. He develops a spirit of fair- mindedness, of consideration for the opin- ions of others. He learns that there are two sides to all questions. Again, training in public speaking de- vclopes self-reliance and self-confidence. The student comes to a realization of the powers which he possesses. He learns how to make use of the knowledge which he has, for he is trained in the art of self- expression. After all, this is the great art, for as some one has well said: He alone can give life to knowledge who has learned the art of communicating it to others. Ellie Glnnmfruatnrg nt' Munir ' fBy Prof. O. A. Morse.J The CONSERVATORY OF Music at Morningside will enter on its twenty-first year in the fall of l9l4. During this time it has grown from an unimportant de- partment to a large and well organized school of the art of music, with depart- ments for the study of the Pianoforte, Singing, Pipe Organ, Violin, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Orchestral and Band Instruments, History of Music, Public School Music, Harmony, Counterpoint and Composition. In point of attend- ance, only one other music school in the state, and that in Des Moines is larger, MORNINGSIDE and between Minneapolis on the north and Lincoln on the south, it is unequalled. Over three hundred students have re- ceived instruction during the year of l9l3-I4. The position of a Conservatory in con- nection with a College of Liberal Arts is a unique one. More and more it is being realized that education means more than the mere securing of valuable infor- mation, or even the ability to do things. Culture of character is by far the most important thing in obtaining a training for life. The aesthetic features of life are

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the mind need a sound body as a means of expression, but the mind itself can nev- cr reach its highest efficiency unless the body is well trained. NVhen one remem- bers how large a proportion of the surface of the brain is taken up by the nerve cells which govern our movements, it is easy to see that the brain cannot be well de- veloped if the muscles are untrained. As a result of this modern point of view, we find everywhere gymnasiums in connec- tion-and in logical connection-with the schools and universities. Physical train- ing should be a part of every College course, not simply for hygienic purposes, but as an integral part of one's education. There should be a noticeable improve- ment in the scholarship of Morningside students, now that their dream of a mod- ern, well-equipped gymnasium has at last been realized, not simply because of im- proved health, important as that is, but because of better trained minds. Morningside now has a fine, large gym- nasium, htted out with all the best mod- ern equipment, and containing, besides the main floor, a running track, dressing rooms, shower baths, team rooms, offices, B1 Ir0phy room, a room for physical exam- inations, and a swimming pool which will be finished off in the near future. It is a 1915 SIOUX gymnasium which can compare favorably with any in the country, and it should play a large part in the life of the school. On account of its importance, two years of physical training work will be required during the College course, and other elec- tive work will be offered to those who desire it. The building is well adapted for basketball, volley-ball, indoor tennis, indoor baseball, and other games. There are then, roughly, three large aims in our physical training work. The educational aim should come first, al- though it is not so clearly recognized by the student as are the other two. Agility, skill, courage, physical judgment, and grace are the results of careful training of muscles and brain, while true sportsman- ship, love of fair play, and willingness to sacrifice oneself in the interests of the team, come through athletics. The next aim should be hygienic. Health is funda- mental if one is to make his life count as it might, and the sedentary habits of the student must be counteracted by vigorous exercise. Finally, through the use of games, rythmic, work, outdoor sports and athletics of all kinds, the work is made pleasurable, for exercise must be enjoyed if it is to give all that it is capable of giv- mg. what itlllnrningaihv Hllnai Nrvha fDr. Wallace Carsonj The editor of the Sioux has asked me to write in a few words and in a spirit of frankness what in my o inion, Morning- Now the , ' P side .College most needs. building up of our College is at once in the hands of the President, the Faculty, the Board of Trustees, the friends of the College, and the Students. I am only interested here in the way in which the students may help their College-and themselves. I rmrtccn The most vital force bearing on the in- dividual student is that intangible thing called, the spirit of the college. It is a result of the reaction of a material equipment, a Faculty, and students on each other under the conditions of a College course. This reaction expresses itself among the students in a philosophy of College life that becomes the principal guiding force of the student body. It is MORNINGSIDE