1929 Cedrus Yearbook

Department of Music HE studio of the department of music is located in the college library building which is but a short distance from the campus. The department is growing in more ways than one under the efficient guidance and instruction of Professor Lydia A. Berkley, M.M., B.M. Professor Berkley is a graduate of Lincoln Con­ servatory of Music and Hiram College Conservatory. She was a special student of Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Cincinnati College of Music. Professor Berkley was at the head of the organ department and instructor in piano in Buck- nell University, Pennsylvania, and in Mansfield State Normal, Pennsylvania. Be­ fore coming here she was employed as head of the piano and organ department of Eton College, North Carolina. Professor Berkley is assisted by Mrs. Helen Laughlin Corry, who is a gradu­ ate of the college of Wooster. Mrs. Corry is a very fine sopranist. She teaches most of the classes in theory and assists Professor Berkley in teaching piano and voice. The courses offered this year are Voice, Piano, Harmony, Notation, Sight­ singing, Ear training and History of Music. There is quite an improvement over the previous department because of the added number of subjects offered, the increase in the number of lessons a week, and the efforts being made by the pro­ fessor and instructor of the department to put as much thorough work into the lessons as possible. • Professor Berkley has charge of the Girls’ Glee Club, which is made up of more than thirty-five voices. Rehearsals are held regularly once a week. The club has appeared in public a number of times and has been received bv very appreciative audiences. A public recital is given every two months, and a private recital every month. The purpose of these is to demonstrate the accomplishments of the department and to give the pupils an opportunity for public appearance. The value of these recitals to the pupils cannot be over-estimated. The courses of study are outlined in such a way that, regardless of the num­ ber of years a pupil has studied, the degree of proficiency alone shall be the basis for recognition by the college in the granting of a diploma, showing that a pre­ scribed course has been satisfactorily completed by the student. These courses should make strong appeal to the musically interested amateur as of great cultural value. There are plans in the making for better and more adequately equipped faculties in the department of music.