The Chemawa American, January 30, 1929, Image 1

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W e d n esd a y , J a n . 30, 1929
M U S IC
Compired by THEODORE GILLETTE, Chemawa Student
The American people are the worst singers in the
world, and we are missing a lot of fun. We flatter
ourselves that we play more than Europeans. We do
not. For instance, we don’t all play football, and all
of the other games, or sports; but we go to see them
played.
Our boys and girls play; but once the American
passes the hoop, the marbles and the leap-frog age,
he settles down into the capcity of a spectator. He
no longer plays, but he watches. He doesn’t sing in
church, as the Englishmen and Germans do; he hires
a quartet to sing for him. He doesn’t play the fiddle
or trombone or clarinet; he goes to listen to hired
men who work (not play) on these instruments tor.
a living.
He doesn’t take time to learn “ Rigoletto” or the
“ Messiah,” which would provide him not only with
immense recreation, but with most enjoyable refresh­
ment. This would enable him really to understand
the music and unlock for him an infinite treasure of
delights; but instead he tunes in his radio or goes to
hear professionals pferorm such work for him. He is
like the man who pays the preacher to study the Bible
for him.
If, instead of this sad spectacle, we could have great
choruses and orchestras where people could sing and
play for the joy of it, then music wonld be a blessing
and not a fever.
President Woodrow Wilson, one of our greatest
presidents in history, said, “ The man who disparages
music as a luxury and non-essential is doing the nation
an injury.”
Music is more than a natural desire. It is a uni­
versal requirement. It has been said that the first four
needs of man are food, shelter, raiment and music.
This has been true in every stage of civilization, and
increasingly so from the days of savagery right down
to our own super-socialized existence.
Music is an outlet for pent up emotions. Eear,
sorrow, anger, remorse, longing, discouragement, all
yield to music. When we turmour troubles overhand
over in our minds, they often become unbearable.
We must have relief from them. There are many
ways of gaining this relief. Some people fly into a
No. 14
rage, some say things they are sorry for afterwards,
while others drown their feelings in alcohol. But
almost invariably these forms of relief are harmful
excesses.
Music, on the other hand, sweetens and ennobles
the whole life. It brings happiness to all rather than
unhappiness. It makes us bigger, better men and
women, instead belittling us in our own eyes and in
the opinion of others. It makes life a pleasure rather
than a burden.
I believe there isn’t a boy or girl, man or woman,
living who does not enjoy music. If you want to test
your own natural ability answer thoughtfully attd
honestly the following questions:
1. Do you enjoy music?
2. Can you remember tunes?
3. Do tunes ever run through your head?
4. Do you ever catch yourself humming, singing,
whistling or thinking a tune?
5. Do simple, quiet songs of sentiment sometimes
make you feel sad?
6. Does brisk, marching music, played by a military
band, stir you and make your nerves tingle?
These questions may seem simple and easy to you,
nevertheless they are the important fundamentals that
reveal a natural talent. If life were just the drab repe­
tition of petty joys and sorrows, success and failures,
eating and sleeping, that makes us puppets of fate, it
would be unendurable—not worth the living. But in
each one of us- there is something deeper and finer than
this; something constantly demanding expression, an
indefinable something that we call soul. Your longing
for music is this still small voice. If is a precious
thing; cherish it. Give it expression, for it will en­
able your life to blossom into fuller beauty.
Every person recognizes within himself an inborn
longing for music. It is rare, indeed, that we find a
person who does not love music. Perhaps you can
only listen, but to listen intelligently is in itself a
great accomplishment. And the infinite yearning for
harmony and for a knowledge of this fascinating art
held by many of the so-called unmusical is in itself an
indication of musical talent.
Music is theyiative tongue of Mother Nature, the
song of the bird-'“the rlpplirigbrook^thethundering
( C ontinued on page 4)