isa-normaladvance-1909-00009

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE9only distinctive difference has been in the roof.This problem each nation has solved in its ownindividual way.Little need be said of the eastern portion ofthe building. It was added at various latertimes and consisted of a labyrinth of shrines,temples, chambers and sanctuaries arrangedaround a large rectangular court, in whichstood two famous obelisks. The walls of theseshrines were adorned with paintings and countless carved figures of their national heroes andgods.All this vast amount of thought and feelingwas experienced by a famous old nation in thedays when the earth was young. Today, onthe eastern bank of a sluggish Egyptian river,a few gigantic time-eaten columns sleep in thetropical sun. These mutely testify to an appreciation of the truth eternal that existednearly three thousand years ago.The Study of Music in the Public SchoolsOTTO SCHOEPPEL, 09Music is Gods best gift to man, the only artof heaven given to earth, and is the only art ofthe universe which we take to heaven. Musicis given to us in the germ. It is for us to unfold and develop it by instruction and cultivation.The study of music is very beneficial. It isas important a study as the other branches thatare commonly taught in our public schools.The State teaches the children to read, write,etc., that they may possess the arts necessary totheir progress in life and those essential to theirappreciation of the institutions of a free government.But why should the State teach the childrenvocal music? It is because the security andstability of a government depend upon thehappiness and contentment of its people andwhatever increases their happiness- tends totheir moral elevation. The Family is the foundation-stone of the State and it is the moraltone of the family which sets the key-note forthe moral harmonjr of the State.Music is not only taught for the improvementor development of the mind, but it is alsotaught for the culture of the heart. It is seenand known by good professional music teachersthat the habitual use of vocal music by the family is an almost unfailing sign of good moraland refined tastes.It is immoral character and criminal conductwhich necessitate the maintenance of courts andjails. A quotation from Luther says: Theyouth must always be accustomed to this art,for it makes good and virtuous citizens.Music is a discipline, a mistress of goodorder and manners. It causes people to be moremild and gentle, more moral like and reasonable. In reform and industrial schools it isused for the softening and controlling of theinmates. It wields a power for good over theheart. The songs learned in childhood hold arestraining and ennobling influence over aperson for life, making him a better, happier,and a safer and more profitable citizen.Music is a universal art. Nature has giventhe human voice, which all makers of musicalinstruments use as a standard of perfection.Good vocal music is, for most people, thehighest form of art. If you join to your songswords which < are pleasing and elevating insentiment, you are placing singer and listenerunder the best of influence. The person wholoves good songs with pure words will ceasesinging the ranting songs of the street.As music appeals to our moral nature,through our hearts and sentiments, no onedenies that our schools should furnish goodmoral training, and it is a fact to the fast waking world that music is a powerful means to
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/34039
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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