School Songs

Abstract

Is there such a thing as school music? Has it any special qualities apart from certain limitations of topic, vocal compass and melodic elaboration? The answer to this question, which is the perpetual concern of music masters and mistresses, and may be the occasional concern of some composers of to-day, depends on our view of education and of the community life which normally sustains it and is indeed a training in itself. Some school activities are admittedly a preparation for the ‘next world,’ or in other words for the industrial struggle and possibly also for some of the amenities of the worker's leisure hours. But the best in school life is of value in itself. It may make its own selections from full or adult experience, but it must satisfy the present need of an individual or group for experience commensurate with realised or latent powers.