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FRANKLIN-SQUARE SONG COLLECTION. |
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In instrumental music, even more than in singing, much depends on the fidelity and earnestness of the pupil. It is true that if the lesson be very long and intricate, it is not possible for each pupil to play it through with close criticism; but individual performance is not the most important part of teaching; we are all more or less imitative, and learn by example and precept, by the mistakes and successes of others. Number six on Monday should be number one on Thursday, and in turn become a model or a beacon. The stimulus that is assumed by the associating of pupils in this |
work is too important to be overlooked. Apart from that instinct in human nature manifested in a desire to excel and surpass others in any contest, the habit of playing and singing in the presence of others tends to banish shyness; and that wretched manvaishonte which many of us know to our cost keeps silent many a music lover who, it may be, is no mean performer, but, unused to displaying his or her talent before others than the teacher, is overwhelmed with fright when asked to confer pleasure, getting only a partial and individual enjoyment out of a large expenditure of time and money. |
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VIVA L'AMERICA. |
H. Millard. By per. Wm. A. Pond & Co. |
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In the spring of 1863 two great armies encamped on either side of the Rappahannock River, one in blue and the other in gray. One eveningras twilight fell, the bands of music on the Union side began to play their martial music, the "Star Spangled Banner" and " Rally Round the Flag;" and that challenge of music was taken up by those upon the other side, who responded with the " Bonnie Blue Flag " and "Away Down South in Dixie." It was borne in upon the soul of a single soldier in one of those army bands to begin a sweeter and more tender air, and slowly, as he played it, they joined in a sort of chorus of all the |
instruments upon the Union side, until finally a great and mighty tide of harmony swelled up and down out army—" Home, Sweet Home." When they had finished there was no challenge yonder, for every band upon that farther shore had taken up the lovely air, so attuned to all that is holiest and dearest, and one grand chorus of the two great hosts went up to God. When they had finished, from the boys in gray came a challenge, " Three cheers for home ! " and as they went resounding through the skies from both sides of the river," something upon the soldiers' cheeks washed off the stains of powder." — Frances E. Willard. |
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