Some schools, he claimed, had reached very high standards, with fine performances in the NSW
Tonic Sol-fa Association's competitions, (23) while in others music was 'seriously neglected' and Sixth Classes were only achieving Fourth Class standards.
The is by But now it was Mr Hayes'
tonic sol-fa, and somehow Arthur's singing voice transformed the whirr of the sewing machine into an accompanying musical instrument.
To publicise his method, Curwen published his own writings in the
Tonic Sol-fa Reporter and Magazine of Vocal Music for the People, published a number of textbooks and songbooks and with his son in London created both the
Tonic Sol-fa College (with certificates and diplomas) and J.
breathing, voice production, sight reading from both
Tonic Sol-fa and staff notation, appreciation); (ii) 'The Study of Requirements, Methods and Principles' of the syllabus; and (iii) 'Cultural' (listening to lecturettes on the 'phonograph' and attending live music performances).
Drawing on the work of colonial historians and on his own research on the commercial strategies and practical methodologies of the
Tonic Sol-Fa movement, McGuire paints a vivid portrait of the complex negotiations involved in the linking of two cultures.
It started with the usual first five minutes practising
tonic sol-fa, Mr Hayes giving the key note, sometimes from the piano, sometimes with a tuning fork.
We have lost much of the heritage which existed two generations ago - when children grew up to read music, thanks to learning the
tonic sol-fa in Sunday Schools.
Particular attention is paid to the role of composer and educator John Curwen, and the application of
tonic sol-fa in Elgar's Dream of Gerontius.
Kirklees Museum and Galleries invited the Silver Ladies and the Khoosh Women to say what Curwen's story and the
tonic sol-fa system means to them.
His discussions of the intrigues at Oxford and national reforms in music education (including the
Tonic Sol-fa controversies) have a similarly ambitious scope.
