On clear days the captain of an ocean-going vessel “takes an observation” to determine the position of his vessel and the course he must steer to reach his haven. At this time, the beginning of a New Year, it is in order for the student of music to take an observation that he may know where he is in his work, what he has to do to make progress, how he must direct his work that he may reach his end, a true, all-round musicianship, and a heart refined and purified by virtue of his work.
The student can look back over the past year, call to mind with what energy and ambition he worked, wherein he was slack, wherein he lowered his ideals through pressure of other circumstances, wherein he was content with less than the most thorough work, wherein he allowed certain things to go by during the lesson-period without seeking a full explanation from the teacher, and particularly whether he made his work tell on himself to the extent he should have.
The important thing to-day is that a young man become strong, in every way possible, for the work he has chosen. The music-student, particularly the one who looks forward to the music profession, must get out of his music-study the development of moral, intellectual, and artistic fiber that shall make him a strong man in his profession, not merely a skilful player, a pleasing singer, a popular composer, a successful teacher. Those things are good, but they are not enough. First, strength of moral, intellectual, and artistic character as an aim; the other things will come.
This is an aim, and a fitting aim for the ambitious student to keep before him this year. He must resolutely set himself to draw from his work those principles of conduct that shall make him able to win success through his personality. Music-study has been called effeminate. It is for the members of the profession to disprove it. The opening years of the new century are fitting years for everyone to get down to rock bottom and build up a superstructure of professional life and character such as shall be able to stand the period of storm and stress that comes to all. The music-student of to-day is the saving force of the future. He has a clear duty to make himself strong to the fullest meaning of the word.—W. J. Baltzell.
