34 VOCAL MUSIC IN THE FAMILY AND SCHOOL. 



As an encouragement to English-speaking nations Mr. Hullah states 

 that the growth of music in Germany, which is apt to be regarded 

 as its original source, is comparatively recent; in the fifteenth and 

 first years of the sixteenth centuries the Belgians, or Galo-Belgians, 

 were the music masters of all Europe, then came the Italians and 

 then the Germans. 



In his opinion, notwithstanding the musical knowledge on the con- 

 tinent, the so-called musical power of the English people is equal to 

 that of the German or any other people. It only needs development 

 by proper and general methods of instruction. 



The following passage from his report is very interesting in the 

 present connection : 



"The schools of Holland and Belgium more especially present in- 

 stances, without number, of children of the humblest' class, of the 

 ages of nine and ten, who can not only sing what they have learned, 

 with taste and refinement, but sing at sight passages of considerable 

 difficulty with as much ease and evident intelligence as they would 

 show in reading literary passages within the range of their compre- 

 hension. 



"The teaching of notes has gone along with or immediately fol- 

 lowed the teaching of letters and the one has presented no greater 

 difficulty than the other." 



No more needs to be said as to the practicability of this method 

 of instruction. There are ample reasons why vocal music should be 

 given a prominent place in all our schools, private and public, and 

 competent instructors provided. 



Solo training is not feasible there, but class, choral work, provided 

 it is not imitative, is eminently suitable. Take, for example, instruc- 

 tion or exercise in reading music at sight. Such drill is largely brain- 

 work and is thoroughly educational. It cultivates the power of con- 

 centration, quickness and accuracy of perception, steadiness in 

 mental application amid distracting influences and accuracy in ex- 

 pression. 



In certain respects its results coincide with those of mathematical 

 training. The memory also is called upon as progress is made in 

 the study of music and that, too, in a way to cultivate readiness in 

 its response. Besides these strictly educational benefits, which con- 

 tribute largely to success in every department of life, this study, 



