E—2.

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APPENDIX D.

REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSICAL EDUCATION.

Sib, —- Wellington, 9th. March, 1928. I have the honour to present my report for the year ended 31st December, 1927. Music in Training Colleges.—During the year the musical instruction in Auckland and Christcliurch Training Colleges has been placed on a sound footing under Mr. H. Hollinrake, Mus. Bac-., and Mr. T. Vernon Griffiths, Mus. Bac., respectively. Both these gentlemen are doing admirable work with the students. They are also visiting certain of the schools in their immediate neighbourhood as musical advisers. In 1928 they purpose commencing special classes for teachers from the surrounding districts who desire help in music. In the Training College steps are being taken to allow facilities to students who desire to make a special study of school music. Some students have expressed a desire to take music as a special study during their third year. It is expected that early in 1928 whole-time Lecturers in Music will be appointed to Wellington and Dunedin Training Colleges. I should like to bear testimony to the good work done for many years in Wellington Training College by Mr. Robert Parker, who is about to retire from his duties there. Eurhythmies.—This work is steadily coming into prominence as a valuable feature in education ; as, although primarily for developing the musical responsiveness and perception of the pupil, it lias far-reaching effects upon mental and physical poise and control. For this reason it is of the utmost value for retardates, shy and subnormal children. I should like to see this study made a permanent feature in all four Training Colleges. Vacation Courses, dec.—ln January last I gave courses of lectures to teachers at the Cambridge summer school and at New Plymouth for the Taranaki Education Board. In May I gave similar courses at Napier and Gisborne for the Hawke's Bay Education Board. During the winter months I also gave a series of five special lectures to members of the New Zealand Educational Institute at Masterton. Other places visited during the year include Auckland, Aramoho, Christchurch, Dunedin, Eketahuna, Feilding, Greymouth, Hastings, Hawera, Hokitika, Kaiapoi, Pahiatua, Rangiora, South brook, Tawhiti, Waimate, Wanganui, and Whangarei. At most of these places addresses and demonstrations have been given to gatherings of teachers, and often to the general public and to various clubs and societies. Personal visits have been made to more than fifty schools. An address was given to the members of the Wellington Education Board on the 22nd June. Syllabus Revision.—On the request of the Syllabus Revision Committee a revised scheme for musical instruction was drawn up. Competitions. —A circular has been prepared on the above subject and submitted to the New Zealand Educational Institute, with a view to bringing the scope of the competition festivals into line with educational aims. The competitions exercise a strong influence upon the music of the Dominion, especially as regards the work of children, and present arrangements leave much to be desired. They can, however, be turned to good account educationally, as has been proved in Great Britain. Teachers' Music Examinations.-—A scheme has been tentatively drawn up for making the musical part of the teacher's certificate examinations of greater practical value. The principal aim of the draft scheme is to give opportunity for teachers to obtain special qualification in class singing, musical appreciation, and'infant work. Handbook of School Music.—The contract has been placed for the printing and publication of the official handbook of school music prepared during 1926-27, and it is expected to be in circulation among the schools early in 1928. The title of the book is " A Scheme of School Music related to Human Life," and it is designed to meet the needs of all those who take part in the giving of musical instruction in schools and training colleges. Free Song-book.—During the year the manuscript has been prepared of a book of songs to be issued free to the schools, by the kindness of Messrs. Andrews, Baty, and Co., Ltd., of Christchurch. This has entailed the editing of some three dozen songs, the writing of accompaniments and sometimes of words, together with explanatory matter. The songs include folk-songs, sea-chanties, national songs, songs of different countries, songs by great composers, songs by New Zealand authors and composers, and special songs for Anzac and Empire Days. Children's Concerts. —An orchestral concert was given to a large audience of primary-school children in Wellington Town Hall on the 16th August, at which I gave an address on the instruments of the orchestra and their use. By the kindness of Mr. H. Temple White and the Wellington Harmonic Society a concert of folk-song was given in similar fashion on the 23rd September, with an address oil folk-song. Both these concerts were received with marked enthusiasm. Education Gazette.—Articles on music have been contributed regularly to the Education Gazette, and songs suitable for school use inserted therein. Gramophones and Pianos.—During the year ninety pianos manufactured by Messrs. Jensen and Moore, of Auckland, and 245 gramophones (His Master's Voice and Columbia) were supplied to the schools through the Education Department. These figures alone testify to the strong interest now being aroused in musical education, especially in the direction of encouraging intelligent listening.