3 - Music in our Public Schools (1894)

Summary

An Address to the Musical Association, 10 April 1894, published in Proceedings of the Musical Association, vol. 20 (1893–4), pp. 97–113

Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, – After accepting the very flattering invitation to read a paper before your Society, on the subject of Music in our Public Schools, and upon sitting down to consider the matter, I was brought suddenly face to face with the disconcerting fact that I knew little or nothing about it. The history of music in public schools only dates back some twenty years, and during that time I have been so busy minding my own affairs at Sherborne, that I have had few opportunities of inquiring into other people's business. I have, to be sure, heard concerts at Cheltenham, Marlborough, and Harrow, but nowhere else, and this limited knowledge would certainly not qualify me to speak as an authority. For though I have heard it fabled that people do at times lecture upon subjects they are unacquainted with, I am far too timid to embark upon such an adventure before this audience. I propose, therefore, to effect a compromise, and to tell you my experience of music in a public school – namely, Sherborne. I shall, at any rate, be on safe ground, as I spent nineteen years of my life there, during the greater part of which I was responsible for whatever music was studied or performed.