USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1927-1931 > Part 14
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Deposits
Depositors Enrollment
Westford Academy
$
1.00
1 109
Cameron School
1,029.82.
133
246
Sargent School
547.25
105 238
Wm. E. Frost School
365.59 94. 107
Nabnassett School
97.54
30 70
Parkerville Scliool
5.62
4 13
$2,046.82
8
We wish to thank the citizens who contributed so generously to the fund for Baseball Uniforms for the students at the Academy. -One hundred forty dollars and fifty cents was collected.
Baseball Uniforms $126.76 Balance to Basketball Uniforms 13.74
$140.50
I wish to thank the School Committee members, Principals,. Teachers, Parents and Pupils who have co-operated in making this school year the success that it has been.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD D. SYLVESTER, Superintendent ..
9
School Calendar Westford, Massachusetts 1928-1929
-
FALL TERM
Weeks
Days
Begins-All schools. September 10, 1928.
Ends - All Schools. December 21, 1928. 15 70
Days Omitted-
October 12th-Columbus Day. October 26th-County Convention.
November 29-30-Thanksgiving Recess.
November 12 (Nov. 11 Armistice Day). School closes at noon December 21st.
WINTER TERM
Begins-All schools, January 2nd, 1929.
Ends - All schools, March 29th, 1929.
12 57
Days Omitted- February recess, February 16th to 24th. Good Friday, March 29th.
SPRING TERM
Begins-All schools, April 1st, 1929.
Ends - Grammar schools June 14th, 1929. Academy-June 26th, 1929.
10
49
12
57
Days Omitted --- April 13th to 21st-Spring Recess. May 30th, 1929-Memorial Day.
SUMMARY
Weeks
Days
ACADEMY 39
184
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS 37
176
GRADUATION DATES Cameron-June 12, 1929. W. E. Frost-June 13, 1929. Sargent-June 14, 1929. Academy-June 27, 1929.
10
Weekly Time Allotments Westford, Massachusetts
Grades
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Language
5
7
7
10
10
10
12
12
Min. 75
105
105
150
150
150
180
180
Reading
35
32
24
20
20
20
12
12
Min. 325
510
360
300
300
300
180
180
Spelling
10
10
S
7
5
5
5
5
Min. 150
150
120
105
75
75
75
75
Penmanship
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5.
Min. 75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
Arithmetic
6
10
20
20
20
20
20
20
Min. 90
150
300
300
300
300
300
300
History
%
3
3
4
5
5
5
5
5
Min. 45
45
60
75
75
75
75
75
Citizenship
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Min.
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
Geography
Min. 45
45
60
75
75
75
75
75
Science
%
2
2
2
2
Min.
30
30
30
30
Hygiene
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Min. 30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
Physical Training
%
8
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
Supervised Play
Min. 120
105
105
105
105
105
105
105
Recess
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Sewing
Ì
Min.
60
60
%
6
G
4
4
4
4
4
4
Min. 90
00
60
60
60
60
60
60
Music
7
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Min. 105
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
Opening Exercises . %
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Min. 45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
Clubs
2
2
Min.
30
30
3
3
4
5
5
5
5
5
Min. 75
75
75
75
75
75
75
75
Manual Training
%
4
4
Drawing
H. D. SYLVESTER,
Supt. of Schools.
SCHOOL WILLIAM E. FROST
SARGENT SCHOOL
CAMERON SCHOOL
Grades Taught VII-VIII VI-V IV-III II-I VII-VIII VI
SUP'V'R MAN. TRAINING SUP'V'R DOM. SCIENCE
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
SCHOOL NURSE SUPT. OF SCHOOLS
Teachers in Service 1928-1929
Teacher Where Educated
Percy L. Rowe, Prin. F. Ruthe Hewitt Ruth P. Tuttle
Edith A. Wright James H. Fitzgibbons Lillian G. Wright Gertrude Provost
V ·IV
Loftie Blodgett (Mrs.) Mary M. Reynolds
Lowell Normal
I VII-VIII VI
George Wilson (Mrs.) Ann Harrington Peter F. Perry, Prin. Olga Alice Remis Margaret Carney
Nasson Inst. Lowell Normal Hyannis Normal Lowell Normal Lowell Normal
Lowell Normal Hyannis Normal
Forge Village, Mass.
Lowell, Mass.
Mansfield, Mass.
Lowell, Mass. Monson, Maine Lowell, Mass. Nabnassett, Mass. Westford, Mass.
William C. Roudenbush
Mary L. Robinson (Mrs.) Hiram S. Taylor, Jr. Irene L. Fay Clifford J. Phelps
Elizabeth B. Egerton
Pamelis Precious
C. Veronica Payne Harold D. Sylvester
Castine Normal Ohio University Lowell Normal Hyannis Normal Salem Normal Lowell Normal Lowell Normal Framingham Normal
Home Address Boothbay, Maine Harrisburg, Pa. Westford, Mass. Westford, Mass. Beverly, Mass. Westford, Mass. Graniteville, Mass. Westford, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Forge Village, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Provincetown, Mass. Graniteville, Mass.
Lowell, Mass. Lowell, Mass.
IV
Ruth A. Walker
III
=
I Special
NABNASSETT SCHOOL V-VI-VII I-II-III Gertrude F. Donahoe Mary Dureault
PARKERVILLE SCHOOL ACADEMY
I-II-III-IV-V-VI
L. W. O'Clair (Mrs.) Louise E. Thompson Mildred E. Pilkington E. Lillian Sutherland Varner T. Larson
Lowell Normal Perry Normal Lowell Normal
Farmington Normal
Lowell Normal Lowell Normal Williams College Univ. of Chicago Westford, Mass. Westford, Mass. Clark University Bay Path Inst. Keene, N. H. Fitchburg Normal Westford, Mass. Essex County School of Domestic Science New Eng. Conservatory of Music; Lowell Normal Forge Village, Mass. St. John's Hospital Graniteville, Mass.
North Adams, Mass.
Boston University, Union Westford, Mass. College, Oswego State
Normal, Yale
11
V
12
Report of Westford Academy, January 1, 1929
Mr. H. D. Sylvester,
Superintendent of Schools,
Westford, Mass.
Dear Sir :- Following is my seventeenth annual report as principal of Westford Academy.
Enrollment, January 1, 1929.
Boys
Girls
Total
Seniors
7
12
19
Juniors
14
7
21
Sophomores
7
20
27
Freshmen
19
23
42
-
47
62
109
In the building as remodelled, each of the four classes has a "Home Room" in charge of a teacher. The Seniors are with Mrs. Robinson, the Juniors with Miss Fay, the Sophomores with Mr. Taylor, and the Freshmen with Mr. Roudenbush.
Faculty, 1928-29
William C. Roudenbush, Latin, French, United States History.
Hiram S. Taylor, Jr., Science, Mathematics.
Mrs. Mary L. Robinson, English, General History.
Miss Irene L. Fay, Commercial Department, Director of School Orchestra.
Clifford J. Phelps, Mechancial Drawing, Manual Training, Athletic Coach.
Miss Elizabeth B. Egerton, Household Arts.
Miss Ruthe E. Hewitt, Girls' Coach.
Athletics.
The Academy won the championship of the Northwest Middlesex Interscholastic Baseball League for the season of 1928, being victorious in nine out of ten games played.
Our Basketball Team won the championship in the Lowell Su- burban Basketball League, 1927-1928, by a clean sweep of ten victories. The record for the season was as follows:
Westford 30
Chelmsford 7
",
24
North Andover 19
28
Wilmington 5
16
Littleton 2
48
Chelmsford 1
,,
41
Wilmington 9
36
Billerica 6
64
North Andover 4
„,
34
Billerica 1
16
Littleton 12
-
"
337
Opponents 66
13
The Team went to Fitchburg, March 2-3, to compete in a tourna- ment held at the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium. High School Teams from Ashby, Hollis, N. H., Ipswich, Lunenburg, Townsend, Westford, West- minster, and Wilton, N. H., participated in the contest. Places were assigned by lot, and Westford and Hollis chanced to play the first game which decided the winner of the tournament. Hollis won after a most exciting game, 22 to 21, then proceeded to dispose of the other teams very easily, and won the tournament with a clean score.
The Senior and Junior boys competed in the "All-Student Track Meet" in May 1928, and for the sixth successive year received state honors in their class.
Program of Studies I.
8.40-45. Opening Exercise in Home Rooms.
8.45-9.30. Latin 2, Chemistry (Jun.), English 1A, Jun. Bus. Train., Cooking for Sophomore girls Monday and Wednesday 8.45-10.16.
II.
9.31-10.16. French 2, Geometry, English 1B, Bk. 2 and 3, Sewing Tuesday and Thursday 8.45-10.16.
III.
10.18-11.03. Latin 3 and 4, Algebra, Modern History, Citizenship, Penmanship and Spelling, Typewriting · (Jun.).
IV.
11.04-11.49. U. S. History, General Science, Boys; English 2, Typewriting 1 (Jun.), Cooking for Freshman Girls Tuesday and Thurs- day 12 .- 1.15, Junior and Senior, Monday and Wednesday 12 .- 1.15. V.
12.30-1.15. Biology, Stenography 1 and 2, Mechanical Drawing, Senior M. W. F., Manual Training Senior Tuesday and Thursday.
VI.
1.16-2.01. French 1, General Science (girls), English 4, Bookkeep- ing 1, Mechanical Drawing, Junior M. W. F., Manual Training Junior Tuesday and Thursday.
VII.
2.02-2.45. Latin 1, Chemistry (Senior), English 3, Typewriting 1 (Sophomore), Mechanical Drawing, Freshman M. W. F., Manual Train- ing, Freshman, Tuesday and Thursday.
Gymnasium
Every pupil has two periods per week in the gymnasium under supervision.
Pro Merito and Tadmuck Club.
The following members of the class of 1928 were elected to mem- bership in the Pro Merito Society: Viola Day, Margaret Foster, Alex Gorbunoff, Ruth Nesmith, Angie Parfitt.
The honorary members of the Tadmuck Club from the class of 1929 are: Marian Day and Belle Sylvester.
14
General Election Day Program, November 6, 1928.
This being a presidential year, much enthusiasm was manifested over the elections. To give the school a chance to express their choice of candidates, and at the same time to do it in a systematic way. a "Mock Election" was conducted. The school was divided into four districts according to the home room classes, each district having registrars, ballot clerks and tellers. A type-written ballot of the five political parties was prepared, including candidates for President and Vice-President, U. S. Senator, U. S. Representative, and Governor.
The exercise provided a lesson in some of the elementary pro- cedure of elections which justified the time given to it.
Necrology.
The death of Sherman H. Fletcher on March 7, 1928, removed from our midst one who had served long and faithfully as a member of the Board of Trustees of Westford Academy. Mr. Fletcher always had the interests of the Academy at heart, and his passing is keenly felt by all those with whom he had been associated in helping to carry on community welfare work in Westford.
Harold Treble of Forge Village, a member of the Freshmen class. was drowned April 1, 1928 (Palm Sunday) while trying to save the life of his pet collie dog. Harold had been to the Academy only about two months, having come here from Groton.
Increasing Cost of High School Education.
In a recent report on this subject made by a committee of High School Principals in Massachusetts, are some facts that explain the situation. During the past decade (1917-1927) the average member- ship of High Schools increased 57%. The number of teachers and Principals increased 54%. This means more money for salaries, build- ings, equipment, textbooks, fuel, janitors, repairs, etc.
The public is today demanding a type of education in its High Schools which requires a much wider range of instruction. The in- crease in membership above noted would indicate that the needs of our youth are being met. This is often at the expense of the best in- struction, because the teacher is obliged to handle more or larger classes, thus leaving less opportunity for individual attention, lesa energy for character building.
The Superintendent is right in saying that the Academy today needs six full-time teachers to adequately carry out our programs.
In conclusion the Principal wishes to express his thanks in this report to the Alumni and former teachers who gave him such a pleas- ant birthday party last February. Intended as a surprise, it was an unqualified success. The victim was perfectly innocent of any designs upon him, and the Superintendent was a prize master of ceremonies.
We submit the program of the graduation exercises, June 25. 1928, with the record there given of various facts of value and interest.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM C. ROUDENBUSH,
Principal of Westford Academy ..
15
GRADUATION EXERCISES AT THE TOWN HALL WESTFORD ACADEMY WESTFORD, MASSACHUSETTS MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1928 At 10 o'clock A. M. PROGRAM
March and Overture
School Orchestra
Invocation
Rev. Edward D. Disbrow
Salutatory, with Essay
"Origin of the League of Nations" Viola Miriam Day
Peasant's Evening Prayer School Chorus
Van Suppe
Presentation of Class Gift
John Gustaf Peterson
Acceptance of Class Gift
Herbert Ellsworth Hunt, Class of 1929
Densmore
Address-"The Measure of a Man"
Rev. John Nicol Mark, Arlington, Mass.
Capri
Bassett
Girls' Glee Club With Dorothy McEnaney, Soloist
Essay, with Valedictory
"The United States and the League of Nations" Alex Gorbunoff
Presentation of Prizes
Hon. Frederick A. Fisher, Trustee
Presentation of Diplomas
Arthur G. Hildreth Chairman of School Committee
Class Song (Words by Angie Emeline Parfitt)
GRADUATES
*Elmer Kendall Bridgford + Viola Miriam Day|| ¿ Helen Teresa Desmond $ Mildred Dorothy Dugdale
*Margaret Elizabeth Foster!| *Helen Margarett Gallagher + Alex Gorbunoff'| *Richard Wallace Hall *Dorothy Mary McEnaney $Ruth Eleanor Nelson *George Linwood Nesmith # Ruth Elizabeth Nesmith + Angie Emeline Parfitt ·- General Course +-Academic Course
*Ernest Sigaud Peterson
* John Gustaf Peterson § Blanche Eva G. Pickup
§ Theresa Annie Profita
*Stephen Remis
+ Granville Hills Robinson (Post-graduate, North High School, Worcester, Mass.)
*Ruth Trull Ryan * Harry Lyon Shedd, Jr.
*Hazel Irene Thompson
*Emily Maud Whitley
s -- Commercial Course [ ;- Pro Merito Society
Special Edna Violet Edwards
Starry Night Girl's Glee Club
16
Class Motto-Aim Ever at the Best Class Colors-Old Rose and Silver Class Flower-Rose
Class Day Exercises held at the Academy, June 21 Class History-Margaret Elizabeth Foster Class Grinds-Richard Wallace Hall Class Will-Dorothy Mary McEnaney Class Prophecy-Angie Emeline Parfitt
Winners of Prizes
Public Declamation
Concetta Succo, '30, Ten dollars
Hazel Irene Thompson, '28, Five dollars.
Essay L. Belle Sylvester, '29, Ten dollars Viola Miriam Day, '28, Five dollars Evelyn Katherine Remis ,'31, Five dollars
Stenography and Typewriting Greta Edith Lundberg, '29, Five dollars Washington and Franklin Bronze Medal for Excellence in United States History George Linwood Nesmith, '28
Class Song (Tune, Juanita) I
Now we must leave thee Tho' from you we hate to part, We've worked together always, from the start. For four years we've been here, Learned a lot that's been worth while. We will ne'er forget thee, Tho' we wander miles. Westford Academy, Now from thee we all must part, Westford Academy, Always in our heart.
-
17
II.
When many years
Have passed very happ'ly by,
We still will love thee, Recall with a sigh
How we once did work there,
Studied, played with classmates dear,
With our teachers helpful Always full of cheer. Westford Academy , From they halls we now must part. Westford Academy , Always in our heart.
Angie Emeline Parfitt.
NOTES
1. Alumni luncheon and reception to graduates following the exercises.
2. Annual meeting of the Alumni Association following the luncheon.
3. Graduation Dance in the Town Hall, at 8 P. M.
Belle Sylvester '29
Marian Day '29
Edna Hamlin '29
Ushers
Bertha Mardas '29
Regina Richard '29
Leslie Sherman '29
18
TEACHING LOAD WESTFORD ACADEMY
1927-1928
1928-1929
Pupil Hour
Pupil Hour
Teacher
Recitation
Teacher
Recitation
Wm. C. Roudenbush
162
Wm. C. Roudenbush
355
Hiram Taylor
671
Hiram Taylor
665
Mrs. Mary Robinson
602
Mrs. Mary Robinson 675
Miss Alice Bracket
366
Miss Irene Fay
660
NUMBER OF PUPILS RECITING
Period
W. C. Roudenbush
Mrs. Robinson
Mr. Taylor
Miss Tay 30
I
3
16
20
II
8
11
16
12
III
8
19
16
17
IV
26
26
19
18
V
00
00
24
12
VI
10
19
25
23
17
22
13
20
76
133
133
132
Cost per pupil
for instruction
per year .....
$32.90
$12.80 $12.80
$10.00
COST PER PUPIL FOR ONE YEAR'S INSTRUCTION
Commercial Subjects
$10.00
Mathematics
12.80
Science
12.80
English
12.80
Modern History
12.80
U. S. History
32.90
French
32.90
Latin
32.90
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Grade-
I
II
IV
VI
VII
VIII
Total
Cameron
41
31
34
38
28
34
19
21
246
Wm. E. Frost 15
10
9
12
18
10
21
12
107
Sargent 44
34
31
27
28
27
24
23
238
Nabnassett
12
8
7
9
4
7
12
11
70
Parkerville
2
1
4
2
2
2
13
114
84
85
S8
80
80
76
67
674
WESTFORD ACADEMY: Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors
42
27
21
19
109
-
-
Total
783
College Entrance Requirements
co co English
Math.
Latin
Modern
Language
Language
Science
History
Total
Total
Total
Elective
Margin
Method of
Admission
Limited
Enrollment
Conditions
Allowed
Amherst
B. A.
.
3
4M
2M
1
13
15
2
C
1
Bates
B. A.
2 12
3
2
1
111/2
14 1/2
3
2*
C-8
B. S.
3
2 1/2
2
1
8 1/2
14 1/2
6
2
C-8
Boston College
B. A.
3
2
3
2
15
Ex.
B. S.
3
3 1/2
3-4
15
Ex.
Boston University
B. A.
3
3
3
2
9
15
4
2
C-8
2
B. A.
3
3
2
1
11
15
6
2
C-8
2
B. A.
3
2121
3
1
912
141%
5
2
0
Yes
B. S.
3
212
2
1
8 1/2
1412
6
2
0
Yes
.B. A.
3
3
3
2
1
12
15
3
2
0
Ph. B.
3
3
2
1
9
15
6
3
0
.B. S.
3
3 1/2
3%
1
101/2
14 %
4
2
C
Colby
B. A.
00
2 12
4
1
10 12
14 1/2
4
Yes
0
B. S.
co
2 1/2
2
1
1
9 1/2
141/2
5
Yes
0
Columbia
B. A.
3
co
4
(3)
(1) (1)
11-10
4-5
4-5
Ex.
B. S.
3
3
5
11
4
Ex.
Conn. College
B. A.
3
2
4-3s
1
10-9
15
5-4
C.
4-3s
1
10-9
15
5.4
C.
Yes No
Cornell
B. A.
3
2
5
1
11
=
4
1
U
B. S.
3
1
co
1
11
15
4
1
U
Yes
19
Bowdoin
Brown
B. S.
3
2
Any
Es Prescribed
Required
College
Course
Co English
Wo Wo Wo Math.
Latin
Modern
Language
Language
Science
History
Total
Total
Required
Total
Elective
I'ree
O Method of
Admission
Limited
Enrollment
Conditions Allowed!
1
Dartmouth
B. A.
B. S.
3
B. A.
co
3
2
1
1
13
15
2
Ex.
Harvard
B. S.
3
3
3
1
1
11
15
4
Ex.
Mass. Agri.
B. S.
3
21/2
2
1 8 1/2
1412
00
C-3
2
3
M. I. T.
B. S.
3
4
3-4
2
1 13-14
15
2-1 .
Ex .- C2
Middlebury
B. A.
3
2
4
2
15
CO
3
C-8
B. S.
B. A.
3
3
3-4
2
1
12-13
15
3-2
1-2
Ex.
Yes
1
1
7
15
co
C
Yes
N. H. Univ.
B. A.
3
2
1
1
8
15
7
2
B. S.
3
3
Oberlin
B. A.
3
3
4
3
1
1
. 11 12
15
3 15
2
0
Yes
1
Princeton
B. A.
3
3
4
3
13
15
2
Ex.
Yes
B. S.
3
4
3
2
1
13
15
2
Ex. Yes
Radcliffe
B. A.
3
3
3
2
1
1
1
co
15
6
1
C
Yes No
Simmons
B. S.
3
2
2
Skidmore
B. A.
3
2
4
2
1
1
13
01
2
2
2
B. S.
3
2
2-6
1
1
00
15
6
2
Q
Smith
B. A.
3
3
4
1
11-10
5-4
15
Ex.
Yes
Tufts
B. A.
00
2
4
2
1
10
15
01
3
C-8
Yes
Margin
3
1
10
15
01
3
1
1
10
15
5
C
Yes Yes No
9
15
6
5
C-8
Yes
3
0%
3
2
Mt. Holyoke
13
15
2
Ex.
3
Prescribed
Any
Yes
Univ. Maine
B. A. B. S.
3
2
4
1
10
14 1%
4 1/2
2
C
1
1
7
14 1/2
7 1/2
2
C
4-3
1
1
11 1/2
1412
3-2
2
C
B. A.
3
3
3
3
1
13
15
2
Ex.
Yes
Vermont Univ.
.B. A.
3
3
3
2
2
1
12 1/2
15
2 1/2
1
C
B. S.
3
3
1
10
15
5
1
Wellesleyan
B. A.
3
· 1
1
11
141
3 1%
C-8
Yes
Ph. B.
:
10.9
15
56
Yes
B. S.
B. A.
3
3
3
2
2
1 11
15
4
3
Ex.
Yes
Wheaton
B. A.
3
3
3
or 4
1
11
15
4 or
5
C **
Williams
B. A.
3
3
4
1
11
15
4
C
Yes No
Yale
B. A.
3
3
4
2
4-3
1
1 12
15
3-4
Ex.
Yes No
B. S.
3
12-11
15
Yes
Mass. St. Nor. School ....
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C
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N. B. Free margin units are those given for certified subjects not listed as electives. The symbol C means entrance by certificate. C-8 means certification will be accepted in eight units and examination in the remaining units. *In special cases, 4 units will be accepted. *Algebra will count as two units if reviewed in senior year. ¿ Two units of language and one or two in science may be offered. $College
of Technology. Three units in one language or two in each of two. M or one Math., three Latin, three Modern. ** Par- tially examination in 1927-28, completely in 1929. Not all of the many differences in college entrance requirements can be adequately tabulated. Candidates should study the official college catalogues of most recent date.
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B. S .:
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Vassar
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Wellesley
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Harold Sylvester,
Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir:
Following is my report as Supervisor of Music in Westford:
I should like to take the parents and friends of the students on a little journey through the music world of the modern school sys- tem of today. I don't think I am exaggerating when I say that no less than 50 per cent of first graders cannot sing a tune when they enter school. The first duty of the teacher then, is to help these little people find their singing voices. This done, the next step is to give them a repetoire of beautiful, child-like songs and a stand- ard of tone quality and interpretation. As he advances in his school life, sight reading is added; he learns to read tunes intelligently, as he does his stories. Later on he is given the opportunity of chorus singing, one of the most vital, inspirational and unifying phase of music work.
And so through all his school life his music education may go hand in hand with his academic or technical work. As for his happi- ness there is no question, for music in itself is bouyant and inspiring.
Music must be taught to the boys and girls in such a way that they experience it not only as a joy, but as a very present and vital part of their everyday life. It is an immediate link between school and home life, and a bond of understanding between themselves and their fellow creatures.
Therefore: Music courses in our schools should include much class room and chorus singing of beautiful songs; a repetoire of community songs memorized; sight reading and harmony; instru- mental, band and orchestra instruction; music appreciation, in cor- relation with other subjects in the school curriculum. I hope it will not be very long before all of the above mentioned subjects will be included in our schools.
Our present activities are as follows:
I. The Harmonica Bands, in the Cameron, Frost and Sargent Schools, are doing some splendid work this year. Recently the Cameron School Band, in their uniforms of red and white, presented a very fine program of music in Abbot Hall, a concert which was enthusiastically received by the audience. We hope that the other two schools will be in a position to own their uniforms in the near future.
II. A Concert of Christmas Carols was given in Abbot Hall by the Cameron School Glee Club Christmas night, adding Glee Clubs to our list of musical activities.
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III. Hand in hand with note singing in the first and second grades goes the Rhythm Band, or toy orchestra, so called. To my mind, the Rhythm Band is of untold value. It teaches an under- standing and feeling for rhythm in the children through natural ways of expression, musically. Needless to say it is an hour of joy and delight to the children. These first grade bands have pre- sented several concerts during the past two or three years.
IV. Our graduation music in the schools last year proved the fact that chorus singing is instructive, enjoyable and inspirational. The chorus numbers included music by Schubert, Donizetti and Marks.
V. The student may join the music appreciation class, where he learns to love good music. We have now a piano in each of the three larger buildings-the Cameron, Frost and Sargent Schools, and I hope that eventually the Nabnassett School will also be added to this list. We have a victrola in the Sargent, Parkerville and Nabnassett Schools, and two in the Frost and Cameron Schools. Our library of records, including Mother Goose rhymes and stories, folk dances and appreciation records, is not a very large one as yet, but is steadily growing, and we are greatly indebted to those who have generously loaned or given us records.
As a nation, we spend more money than any other on music. In 1925 we spent $207,000,000 on phonographs, instruments and sheet music, to say nothing of untold millions spent for music instruction and leadership in the churches, schools and the communities. Does this not show a striking evidence of deep, abiding interest in music, of the desire for the richest delights that music can give?
And now we come to an important place in our journey.
Music now pours from the heavens and flows into restaurants, theatres, hotels, factories, concert halls, churches, homes, so why not into our schools? If we are putting an emphasis on the "Best Music Possible," what better way of enjoying and loving it than by "tuning in" on the Tuesday morning concerts and appreciation lectures given by Walter Damrash and the Symphony orchestras? If we are to keep step with education in music, what better way to begin thal by installing radio sets in our schools?
VI. Then next in line comes creative work in music, including the composition of little poems, songs and tunes, not so much for the sake of technical perfection as for the "unburdening of the soul" through such avenues. Beginning as early as in the second grade, children have made up poems about Eskimos, Indians, etc., and we have set them to music. We even gave a short concert last year consisting of a play "made up" by these children-words and music both.
VII. Nor does music stop with the daily period, to be forgotten until tomorrow, or, like our best clothes, worn once in a while! On the contrary, it is made a vital part of our every day life. It is. correlated with History, Geography, English and even Spelling and Story Telling. Only last week did a fifth grade, during a geography lesson, lay down their books and sing one of their songs, "In Siberia!"
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Who then, can doubt the fact that music functions in the Schools? Now, just what does school music mean?
To quote an assistant superintendent in Indiana:
"Music is a clean, emotional outlet, a means of self-expression and inspiration for the individual. It is a means of developing team work, cooperation and respect for the rights of others. It is a social agency, creating good will and community spirit for the school. Music is one of the best channels for bringing the public to the schools and into the home. It is a publicity feature second to none, not even athletics. No modern school system would think of omit- ting music from its curriculum. Even colleges are accepting music credits towards certain degrees. Educators at last have awakened to the trumpet call of music!"
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