Dartmouth's Intellectual Life

The Department of Music

THE work of a music department in any liberal arts college has to be varied in its scope, and at Dartmouth this is particularly true because of our much discussed isolation. Tastes in musical appetites differ. It is not solely a question of providing musical entertainment for the veteran concert goers, but rather a matter of pleasing those who are somewhat fearful of musical enjoyment, those who seek leadership in musical listening and those whose previous experience has dulled their desire for the type of music that would be received most cordially by the other groups. The function of the department would seem to be that of providing a well-balanced musical diet for its public undergraduate, faculty and community.

Musical interest at Dartmouth is awakened and sustained largely from two sources: classes and concerts. The former confine activities to the undergraduate group, but must appeal to the diversified interests found therein; the concerts, home-made or imported, affect the larger public.

This question is frequently asked, "Is it possible for a man to continue his musical education at college?" The answer is usually in the affirmative, but with certain reservations. The department offers two groups of courses, the technical and the non-technical. In the first classification, a student would find that he could devote three years of his college life to a study of harmony, counterpoint, fugue and composition of a free style, and that there is also the opportunity to become familiar with orchestral writing. The creative element is developed by following these courses. They presuppose an acquaintance with music and the ability to play an instrument with moderate skill. For the man who prefers to experiment upon the radio or victrola but who has the inclination to hear more music and with better understanding, there are courses that aim to instruct in the art of listening. He may select that period of music that most appeals to him, the early history, music of the last century or that of his own age. These demand from the student only an interest in the subject, although the ability to read music is an aid, but not a necessity. A definite program is prescribed for those who select music as their major study. For those who intend to concentrate in this field, it is desirable that they elect at least one course in music during their sophomore year, thereby averting what might appear to be an over-crowded schedule for the two final years.

Thus far, the answer to the question is in the affirmative. Now for the reservation. Dartmouth gives no credit toward a degree for practice on any instrument. This is considered outside the domain of the department and in the curriculum of the music schools now established in this country. Private instruction may be ob tained, and the number of men who desire to "take up" piano, organ or violin seems to be increasing, but time so spent must be considered as an extra-curriculum activity.

COLLEGE CONCERTS

A list of the concerts presented before Hanover audiences during a college year would surprise many because of the number and variety of programs. Undergraduate talent comes to the light in the college band and the glee clubs, both well known to alumni through their efforts either at contests of an athletic or non-athletic sort. Our band has the distinction of furnishing music at our Commencements, and our Glee Club holds an intercollegiate championship with Harvard. Sufficient interest has developed among the entering classes to enable them to have their own glee club for the past three years. Credit for this should go to the preparatory schools where singing is reaching a high degree of excellence, after too long a period of inactivity. An instrumental ensemble joins the glee clubs in local concerts. As a traveling organization, the musical clubs are second only to the football team. Men are selected for these clubs after the fall try-outs, each club hearing approximately one hundred applicants for membership.

Students, faculty and people of Hanover and the surrounding towns make up the personnel of the Handel Society. This organization has a long history, having been founded in 1807, antedating the better known society of Boston. It has experienced periods of inactivity, but is now one of the most important musical bodies in this section. It consists of a symphony orchestra numbering seventy players, and a chorus of as many voices. Their usual program for a year is an orchestral concert, a light opera of the Gilbert and Sullivan type, and occasionally an oratorio. Members of the Boston Symphony orchestra assist the Handel Society in programs.

ORGAN RECITALS

Organ music is well supported by the college community. The instrument in Rollins Chapel has recently been enlarged and its acoustical properties improved that recitals may be more enjoyable. Members of the department play frequently during the year and each semester a well-known recitalist is heard. Recently, the college has enjoyed such fine performers as Dupre, Hallins and Farnum. Informal music is played in the late afternoon during the periods of semester-examinations.

Our other concerts are the yearly series given by the best known artists, and sponsored by the College. This group of four or five programs usually commences after the excitement of the football season, and they continue, one each month until the spring vacation. The quality of the series can be seen by listing the attractions for the coming year the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Florence Austral, Zimbalist, The Kedroff Quartet, the London String Quartet.

It is difficult to measure the success of any artistic development. Its growth is slow. The past five years at Dartmouth have brought forth encouraging signs to those who are working for the advancement of music. Men have selected music as their major study and after graduation, they have taken advanced work in musical conservatories; the college has enabled one student to continue his work in composition with foreign teachers; several have collected sizable libraries of the best recorded music, during the four years of college life; artists present the same programs in Hanover that they give in the large musical centers and find their efforts appreciated. The old idea of "playing down" to a college audience has gone; these are some of the encouraging signs of the times.

Music has gained a place of honor on the campus. The responsibility of making it increasingly important in the lives of the undergraduates rests with the department.

MEDICAL SCHOOL GROUP We Would Welcome Identification