Rosamunde

Abstract

He said so; and his actions bore out his words. But had he liked it less, this review would not have been delayed until, after a proper-or was it proper?-interval, another copy could be got from the publishers. A lovely thing is a book through which you make the acquaintance of a gentle, genial, wise personality. Such unpurchased bounty this book gives. Mr. Borland was for many years Musical Advisor and Inspector to the Education Committee of the London County Council, and when his book was written (in 1927) was still acting in an advisory capacity to that body. The knowledge and faith that actuated him in that work and the opinions and wise conclusions that he reached through such richly varied experience, make up the substance of his volume. The highly qualified and experienced supervisor here pauses to survey his field of work-its values, technique, possibilities, methods, materials, conditioning circumstances. Nothing is omitted. There are eight chapters: A General Survey; Practical Ear-Training; Voice Training; EyeTraining; On Listening to Music-"Appreciation"; Songs for Schools; Other Musical Activities; Concerts for Children. No effort at condensation is apparent, yet in some eighty pages these eight subjects are discussed basically, broadly, in practical detail, and withal beautifully. As suggestive of breadth the following topics, selected from Chapter I (nine pages) may be named: Old and New Views; Week Spots; Montessori and Dalcroze; Part-Singing; Departmentalism; Choice of Songs; Psychology. In Pittsburgh we have adopted the book for the professional reading course of the supervisors of music. High worth and practical interest were a combination not to be resisted. WILL EARHART. * * *