Holding On

BY D. A. CLIPPINGER

It is no small matter to gain a working knowledge of any branch of music, and were it not for the strong appeal which music makes to humanity it is doubtful if many would undertake its mastery. Few people study mathematics from an overwhelming love for it. We have been made to see its practical value and we work at it until we have acquired a knowledge of it sufficient for our needs, but it does not occupy our thoughts and follow us wherever we go. Mathematical disquisitions do not run through our minds like melodies. I make this statement to show the difference in the appeal made to us by music and those studies which are purely intellectual.

People study music because they are drawn irresistibly toward it; because it appeals to their sense of the beautiful, and satisfies the desire of the best parts of their nature. In this connection it Must be said that this strong and universal appeal which music makes to the higher feelings and sentiments should awaken us to an accurate estimate of its educational value. It makes this appeal because it meets the higher needs of humanity as nothing else can, a fact which educators are still slow to grasp.

Notwithstanding the fact that most people study music because of a love for it, students must constantly be reminded that love for music does not exempt them from the vast amount of hard work necessary for its mastery. They must be taught the meaning of perseverance and persistence, of continuous, uninterrupted study. They must be taught to hold on. The American student is not lacking in talent, but he is inclined to stop too soon. He is apt to try to hurry the process, or to study spasmodically. Therefore, he must learn that spasmodic study means nothing because it accomplishes nothing. That the attempt to shorten the process results in forcing, and leaving important things undone, and that the mastery of the voice or an instrument requires at best a considerable number of years.

It is difficult for the everyday world to realize the strength of men with real convictions. History is full of instances where men have unhesitatingly died for their convictions, and we all have read of artists who have starved with pictures in their possession which sold for fabulous sums shortly after they were buried. But we say those things happened a long time ago and in far-off countries. Such things never happen in this prosperous and enlightened age. On the contrary, the battle with adversity is going on to-day with little less ferocity than it did in the far-off days of which we have read. I will mention two such instances briefly to show that strength of character has not departed from the human race, and that by holding on with a fixed purpose sooner or later adversity must give way and acknowledge defeat.

STICKING AT IT

One of these reads like modern romance. A young man who was preparing for a musical career found himself at the end of his resources before his course was finished. One of two things must be done. He must either go out somewhere and earn money and then continue his study or fight it out in a great city. He chose the latter, and for two years it was a fight to the death. It was learned afterward that there had been days without luncheon, and long walks home at night because there was no car fare, but he never winced. It finally reached a point when it seemed that hours must decide his future, and yet his determination did not forsake him. But at this point the work for whichhe had been preparing himself—teaching and singing— began to come, and come rapidly, and it has never ceased coming. It came because he had mastered himself and thereby became master of his destiny.

The other instance is that of a young man who, for several years carried on an unequal warfare and finally won. During these years that he was preparing himself for musical work he "was employed all day long and did his study outside of business hours, and all this time was keeping himself and wife on a salary of fifteen dollars per week in a great city. Think of this. you who have all of your time for study and some one to pay for your lessons. This young man. who is now file successful director of music in a university, did not allow himself to think of the process. He saw only the goal and held on.

When we see students succeed against such tremendous odds it increases our respect for humanity. We see that there is no valid reason why any one should fail. The two instances related above reveal those elements of character, the absence of which is responsible for so much mediocrity. It is useless to try to keep such men down. They have learned the lesson. They have mastered the situation. They probably will never be brought face to face with such conditions again, but should they it would matter not for they have learned that success is sure if one has sufficient determination to hold on.