PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. Seventh Grade. Daily Technique, Kullack's Octave Studies. Tausig's Daily Studies. THE PIPE ORGAN. Students desiring to study the Pipe Organ should have finished at least the third grade of Piano Playing. A very complete Pipe Organ of two manuals, and two and a quarter octaves of pedals, furnishes an opportunity for practice such as is rarely to be obtained, at any price, even in the largest cities. In the lessons in Organ Playing, particular attention is given to the study of obligato pedal playing, Registration, Church service in all forms, Choir Accompaniment, and Concert Music, with special attention to the works of Bach and Mendelssohn. Pupils, when advanced, are afforded practical experience in accompanying the Choir in Chorus and Quartet. First Grade. Text-books: Ritter's and Rink's Organ Schools; Pedal Studies by D. Buck, Thayer; Preludes, Fugues, and easier pieces by Buck, Mendelssohn, Merkel, Guilmant, etc.; Accompaniments for Solo and Chorus Playing. Second Grade. Pedal Studies by Buck, Schneider, etc. Best's Arrangements from the Scores of the Great Masters. Sonatas by Bach, Mendelssohn, Merkel. Preludes. Extempore Playing. Accompaniments. Registration. Selections by Lemmens, Guilmant, Batiste, etc. Third Grade. Toepfer's Organ Studies. Bach's Preludes, Fugues, and Toccatas. Haendel's Concertos. Merkel's Sonatas. Selections from Bach, Haendel, Mendelssohn, Hesse, Buck, Widor, etc. Church Playing-accompanying Solo, Choir, and Chorus. Buck's Fugues, Trios, studies and pieces by Structure of the Organ. Fourth Grade. Sonatos and Passaglia. Bach, Haendel, Buck, Rheinberger, Best, St. Saens, etc. CULTIVATION OF THE VOICE. The aim of this Department is to acquire a mastery over the production and management of sound in singing. Especial attention is given to a healthy and skillful management of the breath; the production of a clear, full, and resonant tone, free from the throat; distinct enunciation, the art of phrasing correctly, and the development of a refined musical taste. Course of Instruction. GRADE I.-Lessons in Breathing, Emission of Voice in Tone Production. Blending of Registers. Intervals. Trill and Diatonic Scale in slow movement. Easy Studies and Solfeggios. Easy Songs and Ballads. Sight Reading. GRADE II.-Study of Major and Minor Intervals with and without Portamento. Arpeggios. Chromatic Scale in slow movement. Major and Minor Scales. Exercises, Legato, and Staccato. Progressive Studies and Solfeggios. English Songs and Ballads. Sacred Music. Sight Reading. GRADE III.-Major, Minor, and Chromatic Scales in more rapid movement. Development of Voice by use of Arpeggios. Sustenuto. More difficult Solfeggios. Art of Phrasing. Songs of moderate difficulty from Classic Writers. Sacred Music. Sight Reading. GRADE IV. Continuation of Scale Study. Embellishments. Advanced Exercises and Solfeggios. Phrasing, Songs from German, French, and Italian Composers. Diffi cult Songs from Classic Writers. Selections from Oratorios. Sight Reading. THEORY OF MUSIC AND COMPOSITION. This study should be undertaken as early as possible, as by a knowledge of it much time may be saved in the practice of Vocal and Instrumental Music. A practical application of each principle is made immediately upon its presentation. Theory thus becomes of great value to the student in subsequent study, a knowledge of it insuring facility in reading at sight. The course of study requires three years. The text-books used are Emery's "Elements of Harmony," Richter's "Harmony," Richter's "Treatise on Counterpoint," and Stainer's "Composition." HISTORY OF MUSIC. A series of lectures on this subject will be given every year by the Director. The text-book used is the "History of Music," by Langhaus. DIPLOMAS AND CERTIFICATES. A Diploma will be given: 1. For the completion of the Piano Course, with Harmony, Counterpoint, and History of Music. 2. For the completion of the full course for Pipe Organ, with Harmony, Counterpoint, and History of Music. 3. For the completion of the Vocal Course, with Piano (two years), Harmony (two years), and History of Music. A Certificate will be given for the completion of the third year of the full course. LITERARY REQUIREMENTS. Candidates for graduation are required to pass examination in the following studies, or their equivalents: Algebra to the amount of two terms' work in the College; German, six terms; French, three terms; Rhetoric, one term; Acoustics and English Literature, one term. They are also required to attend Rhetorical Classes during three years of their course in the Conservatory. Transient students in the Conservatory are recommended to elect one study each term in one of the courses in letters. Free tuition is granted in one study each term, in any of the above courses, to every musical student who pays not less than $24.00 for tuition in the Conservatory. EXAMINATIONS. Upon entering the Conservatory, students will be examined in the various branches to be studied. To facilitate examination, each pupil should be prepared to give a full statement of previous courses of study which may have been pursued, and to play or sing two or more well-practiced pieces as examples of attainment, besides scales and exercises. COURSE OF READING FOR CONSERVATORY STUDENTS. First Year. First Term.-Chomet-Influence of Music. Haweis-Music and Morals. NohlMozart. Second Term.-Fay-Music Study in Germany. Ella-Musical Sketches. Townshend--Haydn. Third Term.-Engel-Musical Facts and Myths, Vol. 1. Beethoven Letters (translated by Lady Wallace). Lampadius-Mendelssohn. Second Year. First Term.-Hunt-History of Music. Schumann. Mason-Musical Letters. Wasielewski Second Term.-Fillmore-Pianoforte Music. Frost -Life of Schubert (Grove's Dict.). Ferris- The Great Composers. Third Term.-Hullah History of Modern Music. Barrett-English Church ComposNohl-Beethoven. ers. Third Year. First Term. --Hullah- Transition Period of Musical History. Ferris-Great Singers, 1st and 2d series. Schoelcher Life of Haendel. Second Term.-Liszt -Life of Chopin. Mendelssohn- Letters from Italy and Switzerland (translated by Lady Wallace). Hueffer- Wagner. Third Term. Pole--Tae Philosophy of Music. Poole--Life of Bach. Schumann-Music and Musicians. The reading of the three volumes per term will consume something less than one hour per day. The books required in the course may be found in the College Library, where also may be found the following books of reference: Grove's Dictionary, Stainer and Barrett's Dictionary of Musical Terms, Cyclopedia of Music and Musicians, by Champlin and Apthorp, etc. The year has been prosperous in all the lines of college life. It has added fifty to the number of students. It has added a much larger percentage to the classes in the College proper. It has seen all the courses of study in the College and the Preparatory Department thoroughly revised and the requisites for admission greatly enlarged. It has seen the Phi Alpha Pi Hall finished and dedicated; Rev. Willis E. Parsons, of Albion, class of 1881, delivered the oration on the occasion. This building has been described in previous reports; but no description has done justice to the finished structure. It is a fit companion to the Adelphic Hall. Burrage Hall is fully meeting the expectations it raised. Through its reading room and library it is pouring into the College immeasurable influence for good. It is a daily delight to both students and professors. The departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Mechanics have been doing their share to justify the reputation Olivet has gained for affording the best facilities for scientific study. The good work done in Mechanics has led the trustees to make a generous appropriation to that department for apparatus. It will soon be in use before the classes. While the sciences are thus pressing toward the front, the Classics, the Modern Languages, English Literature, History, Mental, Moral and Political Science are not receding. The Art Department, the Conservatory of Music, all parts of the Institution have felt the new life coming in. Professors, students and alumni seem to take equal pride in the growth and the prosperity. I close with a quotation from the report of Rev. D. R. Atkins, chairman of a committee sent to visit the College last May: Olivet College today is a potent fact in the life of Michigan, suggestive of truths which may well please its friends. It is at once the evidence of past industry, courage, discretion and fidelity. It tells us plainly of Christian self-sacrifice. It is now the prophecy of coming power and immense usefulness. It is sure to grow in material and intellectual greatness, and no one can doubt its future efficiency in promoting both culture and growth in good character. This Institution wins respect and carries confidence. Here is a student's atmosphere. Here is a religious College without being sectarian. Here is an opportunity to obtain an education at small expense without its being cheap. With a favorable location amid few temptations; with natural beauty in every direction without, and a devout regard for religion and true scholarship within, we are sure Olivet College has a high mission before it, and it is but natural under the existing circumstances to believe this mission will be fulfilled. Very respectfully yours, REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS. HON. FERRIS S. FITCH, Superintendent of Public Instruction: DEAR SIR-The undersigned, who were appointed a State Board of Visitors to Olivet College under the provisions of Act No. 99, Public Acts of 1885, respectfully report that we visited that Institution during the last week in May, and examined with care into such matters as the law requires. We beg leave to refer you to the Catalogue of the Institution for 189091 as to the courses of study. Upon these courses the only criticism we have to make is that the optional studies during and subsequent to the Sophomore year do not in all cases seem to be equivalents. Wherever an election is permitted to the student, the educational value of the studies from which the election is made should be equal. We are pleased, however, to report that the most of the students select the course marked out by the Faculty. We have nothing but words of commendation to bestow upon the character of the instruction given. The Faculty is composed of able and earnest men and women, and their work is of a high order. As to some of the departments, it may be doubted, if any school in the State surpasses them in the quality of instruction given, and in the necessary equipment for their work. Other departments are doing excellent work, but they labor under the disadvantage of too meager equipment. Should some good friend of the Institution desire to aid it, he could do so in no better way than by furnishing more and better apparatus for the Department of the Physical Sciences. One can but wonder that work of such excellent character can be done with such scant appliances. The Library of the College is now occupying its home in the beautiful and commodious building, which is a worthy monument to the loving hearts that have furnished the means with which to build and equip it. The library is in constant use by the students of the College, and to a good purpose. The College buildings are in good condition, but they need some slight repairs. To one feature we desire to call special attention. The societies of this Institution are not affiliated with the societies of any other college, nor are they secret societies. Yet we doubt if, in any institution of learning in the State, there can be found three societies that are doing so much for their schools as are the three at Olivet; while two of them have built for themselves, unaided by the Trustees, elegant and spacious homes, of which the societies and all friends of the College may well feel proud. The College has a well equipped gymnasium, and physical culture under competent instructors is made a desirable feature in the work of its students of both sexes. The Boarding Hall, which is an important feature of the College, is well kept, and students who desire, receive wholesome and nutritious food at a very low cost. The Dormitories are clean and comfortable, and seem to be excellently well managed. The grounds belonging to the College are quite extensive, and a little money judiciously expended, would make them very beautiful and attractive. We cannot close this report without a word as to the relation of Olive PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. College to the citizens of this State. Every year a large number of young men and women go out from it to enter the public schools as teachers. They carry with them to their work a preparation which few, if any, of the schools of the State, except the State Normal, attempt to furnish. Others of its students enter into the various occupations and professions of the Commonwealth with a breadth of culture, and strength of Christian character, which tend to uphold all that tends to the good of society. Many poor young men and women find help here to fit themselves for doing honorable work in the world, who, without the aid so furnished by those who have built up this Institution, would have failed entirely. The teachers are inadequately paid for the work they are doing. Love for the Institution and a broad Christian charity controls them, else they would leave and go where they can easily command better salaries. The School ought, from the large wealth of some of its friends, to be much more amply endowed, in order that the Trustees may have the means, not only for adequately compensating its teachers, but also for erecting needed buildings, repairing those it already has, and also for beautifying its grounds. We feel, sir that this college should be better known to the people of this State, who are seeking a school where they can send their sons and daughters to secure for them thorough instruction and Christian culture. Olivet is removed from many of the temptations ordinarily assailing students in larger towns. Saloons and their concomitant vices are excluded from the village, while manly athletics are encouraged and, to a proper extent, fostered. S. S. BABCOCK, |