The International Music Conference

Title

Creator

Bautista, Candida B.

Language

English

Year

1958

Subject

International Music Conference (August 6-14, 1957 : Salzburg, Austria)

International Society for Music Education (ISME)

Music education.

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

(Salzburg, Austria, August 6-14, 1957)

Fulltext

The International Music tonf ere nee (Salzburg, Austria, August 6-14, 1957) Site of the Conference SALZBURG in Austria, which has gained a worldwide reputation as the focal center of the music life of Europe and the birth place of the great Mozart, was recently made the seat of. an international music conference. The conference was held from August 6-14, 1957 so as to coincide with the famous music festivals of which Salzburg is known the world over. It was officially known as the Third ~nternational Week of School and Youth Music sponsored by the International Society for Music Edu-· cation (ISME), an organization of selected music teachen:i and supervisors. A total of 260 delegates representing 4ustria, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Jugoslavia, Greece, Africa, Algeria, Brazil, the Philippines, and the United States, attended the conference for the purpose_ of improving the teaching of music, enriching its scope and content, and promoting its cultural aspect in all schools. Philippine Representation Being a member of the International Society for Music Education, I received an invitation from ISME informing me of the music conference to be held in Salzburg, Au~tria. I found in that invitation an opportunity to learn new things in music teaching and to exchange opinions along music education with the delegates of other countries. These experiences, I believed would redound to the benefit of music teachers and students in the Division of City Schools of Manila. With the approval of the. Superintendent of City Schools and financial help of the Asia Foundation of the Philippines and the City of Manila, I was able to realize my desire - to participate in the conference a5 well as to make observations in the different places outside of the Philippines. I was the Ione ..delegate from the Philippines. Conference Activities The ISME Conference was well planned; as far as the subject matter of music education is concerned. This subject matter was divided into areas each area being a brief, informal course in itself. 'The main features of the conference were brief lectures by experienced music professors, sharing of experiences, observations and demonstrations, practice exercises in JANUARY, 1958 By Candida B. Bautista choral singing, playing of musical instruments and group ensembles, and visits to places of interest. I had the happy occasion to attend the following areas: 1. Elementary Music Education 2. An Introduction to the Orff Method 3. Choral Work 4. Rhythmic Education and Improvisation 5. Research on the Organization and Methods of Music Education 6. Compilation of Materials Needed in the Field of Music Education The daily program of activities was as follows: .-\.l\I. 8::rn- 9::30 C.immunity singing and sin~ing of folk songs, either in unison 01· in parts U::~0-10::)() L?ctures and discussion on Elementary l\lusic by competent music professors 10::30-11:00 Recess 11 :00 - 11 ::JO Continuation of discussion 11 ::30 - 12 :ao Demonstrations in the use of the Orff instruments l'.l\J. :l:OO-- 4:'.lO l\Iusic teaching in the seco11dary schools - demonstrations, appreciation lessons, and discussion of mdhorls of teaching 4::l0 - G::lO Choral singing During the whole conference, morning and afternoon sessions were held daily at the spacious hall of the Borromaum, a Catholic institution situated on the outskirts of Salzburg. The main activities centered on music teaching in the elementary and secondary schools and viewing Yarious exhibits. There were different speakers and lecturer.s in the conference. Amoi1g them were Professor Leo Rindrer, supervisor of music in Insbruck, Austria and one of the initiators of the conference, Dr. Egon Kraus, president of the German Corporation of Music Teachers in Kologne, and secretary general of the International Society for Music Education, Mr. Cesar Bresgen, expert in music improvisation, and Dr. E. Preuss11er, head of the Mozarteum, a conservatory of music where well-known professor!'\ like Dr. Anton Dawidowcz teach during summer. Lecture Notes Among the salient points in each lecture were the following: PAGE 51 D1'. Leo I'.i11dr1·()' 1. A program of sy;:;tematic music teaching in the elementary schools includes effective production and projection of the voice, proper use of the diaphragm, corrc:ct b1·ea thing, and clear diction. 2. The song is the basis of all music training and therefore students should be provided ·with . plenty of materials. To facilitate learning, the teacher shoukl emphasize the rhythmic p~ttern of every song being st11diecl, and that all work or theory should never be separated from the song.• The learner should be trained to follow the contour of the melody~ 3. A sense of rhythm iR acquired by means of dapping, running, skipping and dancing while learning a song. 4. Closel:-· integrated activities, such as singing, dancing, rhythmic responRe, dramatic activities, pageantn» festivals and th~ like, constitute modes of self-expression \Yhicl-i enhance the mental, soc:ial, physical, emotional and spiritual development of the child. 5. The modern 'Wet.\' of" teaching music is by ac1.tw lly singi1~g 1 he sr,ng.0• ~111(1 playing the instruments. For effective teaching, the teacher should play or sing ·with the pupils. Such participation helps maintain good dis::ipline, interest, and team\vork. lJ i'. E grm J{ m w; Training 1.he ch:Jd in rhrthm and gradually expo:-:ing him to musk should begin at a very early age. Music cdurntion cannot be separated from any other training of the child as proven by experiments conclucted at. the time the children under study started schooling. Prni'es:'.or Kraus demon:-itratecl the coned handling of the Orff instruments for use in elementary schools aml the ll"e of the different sized hammers to produC'.e pleasing sound effects. He gave the delegates opportunitieo: to try them out. The Orff instruments are made up of wood and metal xylophones, flutes and other percussion instruments, like drums of different sizes. Taking up problems on the teaching of music in the secondary schools, the professor conducted an appreciation lesson with the use of recordings of the great music masters, and chorus work, using the group as g class. DI'. Cer:<11· Bnsgen The inclination of a people for music depends largely upon the cultural baC'.kground of the country. Other Conference Activities Aside from lectures, demonstrations, discussion, and choral singing, the delegates had two excursions - one to the beautiful lakes of Wolfgang-See, Mond-See, Gosau-See, and Hallstatter-See, and the other to Gross rAGE 52 Glockner, a mountain 3798 meters high. At night the delegates were invited to attend corn;erts, operas, and plays incli.lcled in the program of the Festivals. · In spite of the limited time at my command, I was able to attend these operas: "Marriage of ·Figaro" by Mozart, "Fidelio" by Beethoven, "Falstaff" by Verdi, "Cosi Fan Tutte" by Mozart, and "Faust" by Gounod. I also attended "Jadermann," a play, and Mass in G by Mozart, as well as some symphonic concerts. The morning of the last day of the conference was spent in group singing and summarizing of the accomplishments of the .week These were followed by vigorous discussion dn problems confronted by the delegates in the teaching of rrtusic in their respective countries, which led incidentally to a three-minute talk bY each delegate about trends in mu'sic education in his own cpuntry. · In the afternoon all the delegates met at 'Sternbrau' for a get-together party. All delegates participated in group singing, and each sang native songs. With unusual feeling and pride I sang some of our popular folk songs and played on the piano Rome favorite k1111dinw11s; these were highly ' appreciated by the listeners. Post-Confert>nce Observation Tours After the conference in Salzburg, I mad.e observation tours in Munich, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Bremen, Zurich, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amstenlam, Oslo., Btll'Rsels, Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, and Geneva. In each place I observed the life of the people - their babits and characteristics. I came to tl:c conclusion that the way they run their government is very much influenced by their culture and material resourcPs. The Europeans have a very high regard for their cultural a::c;omp0lishments, and their \Vorks of art and letters are well preserved in. their mu·,eurns and art gallaries. I visited a~ many schools as I could, \\'henever possible, to obsen·e the teaching of mu~ic and to learn the reaction of students to music education. In places where I found it a physical impossibilit? to visit schools, I joined guided tours 1,lnd leaorned much about the place from lecturers and guides. At night, I took every opportunity to listen to smf!ll concerts, string ensembles, and chamber music, or 'to see a wonderful ballet pedormance. Surely, there was no time to waste. · The1·e was always time to leaTn and enjoy ·what musi::: can offer to any Jiving soul. Suggestions By way of suggestion, there are a few innovations that can be introduced in future music conferences such as the one held in Salzburg, namely: 1. In. an international conference attended by delegates speaking different languages, the lectures should not be in German but in a language that is understood by all - that is, English; or if it is not possible to THE PHILIPPINE EDUCATOR use English, lectures in German should l>e ·translated ii:lu Ens~iish. 2. DclegatEs should be charged half the pl'ice of tickets for operas or conc(·rts, if they cannot be provided with free tickets. Delegates are usually tourists whoRe funds are limited. 3. To save the delegateR 1 from the inconvenience and di8comfort of. standing in line to buy tickets at the \Vindow, ticket~ sliould be provided the delegateR o~· reservationg made for them. 4. To effect better relationship and underRtanding, there should be literature or informational material about places \vhere conferences are held. This will . help visitors make suitable adjustments in dealing with the residents. · 5. People who will attend conforences for a few weeks need not carr.v much clothing. Just a few ~o keep them comfortable, clean and presentable will be enough. Significance The music conference in Salzburg \Vas not 11nerely an attempt to promote love and appreciation for music among the school population of the world thra a heedful analysi8 of its effect upon human emotion, or the prescription of certain technique, rnethocls, or procedure~ which are c[',lculatccl to bring about favorable responses and changes in human l>ehaviOl'. It has done more than \Yhat a fonnal' and costly diplomatic representation of a country can do for its people - the establishment and promotion of goodwill and understanding and the unfolding of capabilities and achievements of a people along cultural Iine3. The assembly of 260 delegates from different countries of the world greeting each other in all cordiality apd affection every clay for two weeks, singing with all fervor, the songs of their lands,- telling about their countrymen's potentialities fo music, discussing common problems in music education, sharing opinions and experiences in music teaching, and learning new ideas concerning various aspects of teaching music, is a memorable event in my life as a teacher.

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