Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

The (oiilciu is interesting, being tliiny minutes of selected music including "Grandfather's Clock." "I'll Take Vou Home .\gain Kathleen," "Song of India," "Meet .Me in St. Louis." "Bird in a Gilded Cage," "Humoresciue," and ".Moha Oe" among others. These are intended for recognition purposes in a hearing test. The entire recording is designed to screen hearing difhculties and to discover significant losses which rec|uire medical or clinical attention. The effort is applauded although we believe that the school uses may be limited. Actually, the recording, and the presentation in the accompanying booklet, suggest that this be done in a social surrounding rather than a school situation. The first instruction is to "gather together around your player six to ten friends." This sets the tone for the test. In addition to the music approximately fifteen minutes is devoted to frfcpiency discrimination testing in which the participants are directed to determine which pure frequencies are higher (or lower) in contrast with another. Thus, in 33 pairs, the listener is asked to demonstrate discrimination in the range from 480 to 6.,500 cycles per second. The differentiations offered are as fine as 30 cycles (530 vs .560 cps) and as gross as 3,000 cycles (1,000 vs 4,000 cps). .Another section is devoted to testing both vowel and consonant diilerences in word pairs. In this section "rye" and "lie" are contrasted for aural comprehension as two similar sounding consonants. The conclusion reached is that the individual who cannot recognize wellknown melodies, the difference between higher and lower sounds, and the differences in con.sonants is in need of immediate attention. .And to this we agree. But the classroom applications are limited. To begin with, without instruction this will rec]uire an hour to complete as a simple screening test. The use of the recording for this purpose presumes a tape player in perfect condition (a situation which does not always exist), an acoustic situation which can be fully controlled — even to the distracting outside sounds, no variations in general listening conditions and equi-distant separation for all participants from the sound source. Not impossible, but unlikely. Finally, no amateur in this area of graduate study should take it upon himself to judge the results! Hearing testing is a matter of professional competence and should be left to those specifically trained in this area. Students with either glaring or even suspected difficulties should be referred to specialists for examination. Bernstein on Beethoven A delightful recording, suitable for Music Appreciation classes at all levels from the Junior High School up is Columbia's CL 918. This is titled "Symphony Number 5 in C Minor, Opus 67" by Ludwig von Beethoven, but don't be misled. One side is devoted to an exceptional discourse by Leonard Bernstein in the construction of the Symphony from every stand]ioint. Mr. Bernstein has gone deep into the mind of the composer in an effort to help the listener discover why certain passages sound as they do. He has used discarded manuscripts and introduces them in appropriate places in the performance to show how and why these were discarded or revised by Beethoven into the symphony as it is known today, .As a teacher Mr, Bernstein is exceptional and his demonstrations and explanations are deft. He draws an interesting and challenging parallel between writing a symphony and creating a literary work of art — and in this regard this recording can be effectively used in English classes. But it must first be considered in terms of music appreciation and instruction, for which it is alone in its field, and superior to anything we have heard for this broad field. The reverse of the recording is worthy of note, too, being a performance of the Symphony by llie Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York under the leadership of Bruno Walter. And this is a "treat to the ear" by itself. * Enrichment Records (New York) has released several of the titles mentioned here last month. .Among them are "Patrick Henry's Famous Speech" and "The Bill of Rights" which back each other on one twelve-inch recording. The size is reported here because it represents a change in policy for Enrichment, and the recording profits, qualitywise, thereby. The Patrick Henry recording is essentially a portrayal of the mood of the American colonists, as shown through the songs then popular. There is a very good selection of material and the delivery is professional and thoroughly competent. The Bill of Rights is a long and detailed document and editors have successfully presented the highlights thereof, with appropriate explanations, without depriving the document of a bit of vitality or significance. The latter side summarizes the cau.ses of the .American Revolution and of the general dissatisfaction with the .Articles of Confederation. Both of these sides are intended for junior high school classes, and can be profitably employed in instruction at this level. They are accordingly recommended. I Q What's the most versatile of • all tools for teaching? A A tape recorder right in the , classroom! U Q. Q. Which is the most versatile of all tape recorders for teaching? The NORELCO 'Continental' three-speed dual-track tape recorder! Why is the NORELCO 'Continental' the most versatile of them all? Its three speeds cover every classroom need from speech to music"*. NORELCO^ * Continental' world's most advanced all-in-one portable tape recorder *3 speeds for versatility V/b m inches prr I second | designed for speech I —with the I ultimate . in tape 1 economy I (upto8i/2 I hours of ' recording [ on a single ■ 7-inch reel) ' L — inches per sec o I'd the perfect "compromise" speed— giving good fidelity plus excellent tape economy on both speech and music 7V2 inches per second for genuine highfidelity music reproduction—ideal for instrumental and vocal coaching I For the -name and address of your nearest 'Continental' dealer, write to: NORTH AMERICAN PHILIPS CO., INC. High Kidelitv Prodiit is Division, Dept. ISIO 230 Duffy Avenue, Hicksville. L. I.. N. Y. EdScreen & AV Guide — October, 1958 535