Music in education
Bergese and his collaborator Anneliese Schmolke therefore prefer
short plays, songs and music which urge the child to express itself.
These songs, plays and dances are published in the Bergese Schdwerk.1
MUSIC EDUCATION
BY THE WARD METHOD
bY
Joseph LENNAERDS, Director, Ward Institute, Roermond, Netherlands
The Ward method is used in many schools of the United States of
America and the Netherlands; in France its supervising centre is the
Gregorian Institute in Paris, and it is from there that it spreads its
influence.
To bring out the merits of this method, a demonstration would be far
simpler than a verbal description. It has, after all, been said that music
begins where speech ends. A practical demonstration gives the true
educator all the facts upon which to assess a system, or a method, of
music education. It is by observing the attitude of the children, the
intentness on their faces, and their obvious interest, that he evaluates
their reactions and their keenness.
We shall not pause to discuss the methodological principles of music
education in general, such as the principle of pupil-activity on which
the teaching is based, and examples of which constantly recur during
the lessons (musical dictations, memory-training, improvisation, voice-
training, etc.).
I would merely draw your attention to a few outstanding features
of the Ward method:
- Musical training is not a prerogative of the few. It must be within
the reach of all children without exception, so that they may be able to - Published by Mossler Verlag, Wolfenbiittel, Germany.