The Maidstone Movement

Influential British Precursor of American Public Schools Instrumental Classes

Based on the article byRobin K. Deverich JRME

Carol SwinchoskiHistory and Philosophy of Music Education

The Maidstone Movement began in 1897

Popular British method of group violin instruction

Sponsored by a publishing house and instrument manufacturer:

History of the Maidstone Movement

Mee Pattison, musical advisor for the Murdoch

Company, saw the need for group violin program for children.

Created an all-inclusive program to bring to schools which would include: Teachers Violins Teaching Materials

How it Began

The Maidstone School Orchestra

Association (MSOA) Formed by the Murdoch Company

The National Union of School Orchestras (NUSO)

Mee Pattison formed this organization to encourage collaboration in teaching methods and promote joint concerts.

Two organizations

All Saints’ National School in?

Drum roll please …

the town of Maidstone in Kent, England

The First school to accept?

Teachers received their salaries directly from

the students. Classes were 30-60 minutes Lunch time or after school 12-20 students in a class Offered multiple days of the week to

accommodate student interest. Performed concerts at times in conjunction

with other MSOA classes in different schools.

Format of School

OBJECTIVES

1. To promote the study and practice of instrumental music among the school children of the Kingdom, by encouraging the formation of school orchestras, and to elevate the musical taste of the nation as a whole.

This encouraged the MSOA to establish classes in Cello, mandolin, orchestra, brass bands, military bands, drum & fife bands, bugle bands.

National Union of School Orchestras (1905)

2. To obtain the best methods of working from

compared experiences of each school in starting and working its orchestra.

3. To provide means of assuring an adequate supply of teachers.

4. To establish a periodical (The Young Musician) with a view to keeping school orchestras in touch with one another and giving all the experiences of each together with information of general interest.

Key Objectives

5. To insure by expert supervision that the

teaching is properly done. 6.To provide scholarships by which pupils of

exceptional ability may obtain advanced teaching.

7.To keep in touch with young people after leaving the Day School by means of Evening Classes and Orchestral Societies.

This was to provide opportunities for the students once they graduated from the Day Schools as a bridge to adult orchestras.

Key Objectives

8. To promote combined practices and local concerts and thus

stimulate the pupils, entertain the elders, and possibly help in local benevolent works.

Played for orphanages, and charitable institutions 9. To organize an Annual Music Festival to keep the public in

touch with the work of the Union Concerts on a grand scale! 1905 – 700 Violinists 1914 – 6,650 Violinists Classes would compete for Silver Challenge Shields!

10. To enlist the help and support of influential men in the musical and educational world.

Key Objectives

In 1908 prominent American educator, Charles H. Farnsworth,

spoke about his observations of the Maidstone Movement at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

Inspired Albert Mitchell to travel to England, Observe the Maidstone Movement, and bring systematic, class violin training to Boston Public Schools in 1911.

In 1914 class violin was included in the regular curriculum.

The Maidstone Movement in America!

First instrumental classes in America used the

Maidstone Movement as a model!

Introduced to Boston Public Schools by Albert G. Mitchell.

1911 Boston School District

In 1920 Boston Public Schools had group

instruction: Cornet, trombone, clarinet, flute, and drum!

Expands beyond Violin!

Weaknesses in Maidstone Movement

Despite the objectives of the NUSO Teachers varied greatly in experience and quality. A uniform curriculum was not realized. Challenges of teaching violin in large groupings

was criticized. The 1939 evacuation of London left no children to

take lessons or play in the Annual Music Festival. In 1943, the Murdoch Company dissolved.

The Maidstone Movement

falters

THE LASTING IMPACT OF THE MAIDSTONE

MOVEMENT:

Sparked a national interest in instrumental classes! Demonstrated an economical way for large numbers of students to learn to play instruments! American music teachers created their own

instrumental programs! Instrumental music became a permanent part of

public schools.

Legacy Carries on!

Deverich, Robin K. "The Maidstone Movement - Influential British Precursor of American Public

School Instrumental." Journal of Research in Music Education 35 (1987): 39-56. National Association

for Music Education. Web. 5 July 2014.