pupils, which have since become frequent, attest the effectiveness of
the work done.
The standards of musical knowledge have continued to rise, and
this has been accompanied by a stronger and more critical public
demand in the musical sphere. The foundation of the National Sym-
phony Orchestra and the reorganization of the National Academy
of Music are signs of the progress made, and promise much for the
creative aspirations of our young musicians.
The reorganization of the National Academy of Music included its
elevation to the status of a National Conservatory; and the need was
also conceded, as part of the scheme, for opening a central school
attached to the Conservatory, as well as regional schools, to prepare
pupils for entry to the Conservatory itself. The opening of the central
school and the Arequipa Regional School coincided with the formal
opening of the Conservatory, and further regional schools were estab-
lished at Trujillo, Cuzco, Piura and Chiclayo shortly afterwards.
Within the Conservatory, an experimental section was started for small
children.
The work being done in the National Conservatory, the regional
schools and the private academies (some of them officially recognized),
and by private teachers, is resulting in a steady advance which is
carrying musical appreciation in Peru to ever higher levels.
MUSICAL EDUCATION IN' THE SCHOOLS
In its initial stages, compulsory music teaching was confined to instruc-
tion in the elements of theory.
Music teachers in a number of schools introduced the teaching of
singing, on their own initiative and as an experiment, and succeeded
in training school choirs of no mean merit; though these pupils had
not the first idea of sol-fa, they were able in some cases to cope with
four-part works by such composers as Bach, Haendel, etc.
The real success of this experiment consisted in the fact that the
teaching of choral singing spread to many other schools and was later
made compulsory throughout the republic. Singing has also been
taught by modern methods in some of the kindergartens, where the
children have successfully learnt two- and three-part canons. There are
good choirs in major private colleges, as also in certain national colleges.
In the National Conservatory, a teachers' training section was estab-
lished and awards the professional qualification for school music