This is evidence of a changing state in Art Education. At last, Art and Craftwork are being co-ordinated, and the pupil in all types of creative work is encouraged to be an individual or "self'. Gone for ever, it is hoped, are the laborious hours spent in drawing a sprig of holly or sycamore or mastering the detailed intricacies of perspective. The aim now is to allow the imagination full scope and allow the student to create in the true sense of the word, but to create from his own observations of the things around him, from his own vision of his environment. It is when this vision, this observation, is ignored that self-expression in the abstract art form rears its ugly head. Without vision and attention to nature no true artistic creation is possible. Such was the gist of Sir Alfred Munning's speech at the recent Royal Academy Dinner, which has caused so much controversy in professional artistic circles. In School Art then, let the building, the cluster of trees, the wind swept sky, replace the holly sprig, and drawing from observation may then truly inspire the imagination, and deepen and make more acute the vision. A.G.C.
THE MUSICAL SOCIETY The weekly informal gramophone recitals have continued successfully throughout the term. They have been arranged by :E. G. Thompson and R. M. Booth. D. A. Haxby and R. Hawkins. R. J. Frater and D. P. Norwood. F. Carlill and R. Hawkins. D. A. White and M. I. H. Unwin.
Two talks were given by members of the Society on Sunday evenings. P. J. R. Mason gave an illustrated talk entitled : "Portrait of a 'Cello", on Sunday, 6th March. He dealt with it as if it were a character. After describing the parts of the 'cello, he traced its development from the Viol de Gamba, mentioning one which had eighteen strings, and another freak which had a concertina in the body. After brief reference to the chief composers for the 'cello, Casals' rendering of the last movement of Dvorak's 'Cello Concerto in B minor was played on gramophone records. The talk was very interesting and was greatly appreciated. On Sunday, 20th March, R. J. Frater gave an illustrated talk on contemporary music. He divided it into several sections, including : Folk music, dance music, opera, modern combinations of instruments, and incidental music, which included film music. The talk was illustrated by gramophone records. On Saturday, 12th March, Geoffrey Laycock gave a piano recital, which is reviewed below. 32
