IN the United States, vocal music was usually regarded as one of the luxuries of education, until the establishment of Sunday Schools rendered it more general. During a visit to the continent of Europe, the speaker was surprised to find it almost a universal acquisition, and in several countries a branch of the national system of education. He became convinced of the importance and practicability of making it a part of our common education, and one of our manly amusements, and was led to resolve on bringing the subject before his countrymen. The first point to be gained was to introduce a simple, rational method of instruction, which should render it practicable, instead of that mysterious and mechanical plan, which is generally adopted; and the second, to supply the species of music adapted to children, which should be simple, without. being infantile, and elevated, without becoming artificial or unintelligible. Both these objects have been effected in many parts of Germany and Switzerland. Music is regularly taught, both in theory and practice, and has become the delight of childhood, the amusement of youth, and the cordial of age. He resolved to do all which his ignorance of the science would permit for extending the same benefits to our own country, by bringing from abroad the music and the system of Switzerland, in the hope of finding persons able and willing to attempt a work which he deemed of no small importance to our national character and interests. Such individuals he has found: he has placed all these materials in their hands, and hopes soon to see the essential works before the public. But another object still remains to be accomplished-to awaken public interest, and inspire public confidence; and this he fears will be the most difficult task. It was the reluctance to lose an occasion so favorable as the present, which induced him to accept the invitation to deliver this address, amidst the pressure of peculiar circumstances, which allow him no opportunity of doing justice to the subject.* It was the desire to convince others of the importance and the practicability of giving instruction to children in music, and thus to obtain coadjutors in the cause, and if possible to persuade every teacher to endeavour to introduce it into his school, and every parent to provide the necessary means of instruction for his children. It is the same motive also, and not the desire of exciting the admiration of the audience or the vanity of the performers, which has induced him to invite a juvenile choir to exhibit to you some specimens of the music he has referred to; and he knows not how he can better win his way to your indulgent feelings, than by calling on them to aid him with one of these simple melodies. * He has to regret that a train of similar circumstances, combined with ill health, oblige him to send it for publication, almost in the same imperfect form in which it was delivered. |