Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/310

 THl ARTS The acadcniy is governed by a president, four vice-presidents, a board of directors, a committee of management, a chairman, and a treasurer, acting under whom are a house committee, and the principal and executive officials. There are fifty-seven scholarships and exhibitions in operation, most of them tenable for three years, and obtainable by competition only. In addition, there are thirty-five prizes. Full particulars of these scholarships are given in the extensive prospectus of the academy. The prizes mostly consist of medals, purses of five to twelve guineas, and musical instruments. The procedure of joining the academy is much the same as that for the Royal College of Music. Before entering, the applicant is examined in order to judge of his or her ability and proficiency. The fee for this examination is a guinea, and this is con- sidered as part of the entrance fee of five guineas. Students are not admitted for a shorter period than three terms, but to win the highest awards of the academy they must stay for at least three vears. There is no age limit. The Course of Training: The subjects taught in the academy in- clude every kind of musical training, both theoretical and practical, and there are special branches for military music and all orchestral instruments. Everything neces- sary for the stage is also taught, and lan- guages and fencing are included in the curriculum. The ordinary course consists of a principal study (two lessons weekly of thirty minutes each, and the privilege of being present at other lectures) ; a second study (one lesson of an hour weekly) ; elements of music, harmony, and counterpoint ; composition! sight singing, diction or choir training (ali these a weekly class of an hour) ; orchestral practice (five hours a week) ; ensemble play- ing (six hours a week) ; and occasional lectures. For the convenience of those living in the country, a list of local representatives can be obtained from the academy, and from these full mformation can be obtained. A list of suitable boarding-houses for students will also be sent. Luncheons and teas are pro- vided at the academy, and in the new build- ing there will be accommodation for practice. Every year an examination of students is held, on which medals and certificates are awarded ; and a report on the progress of each student is made to the parents and guardians annually. ^ Every fortnight a concert is held, and twice m every term public ones are given in some London hall. Scholarship holders and exhibitioners are obliged to perform at these concerts when caUed upon by the principal Various distinctions are given by the academy, which give the successful student the nght of putting coveted letters after his 288 Another examination held by the academy is for those who are or desire to become teachers of voice culture and class singing for children. The fee for this is three guineas, and a preparation is given in the shape of courses of lectures, which are open to students and non-students on payment of a small fee. The New Premises The new building is being built at a cost of over ;^5 1,000. Lord Strathcona laid the foundation stone on July 14th, 1910, and read a letter of good wishes from King George, in which his Majesty accepted the office of patron. The building is in high-roofed, Georgian style, and the original contract provided only eleven months for completion. It stands on the site of the well-known girls, orphan school. The problem of deadening sound has been successfully combated, and plenty of space, light, and air are features of the new building. In addition to all the arrangements described above there is a flourishing fund established for the purpose of assisting necessitous talented and deserving students, whose circumstances often compel them to leave the academy when they are at " the best stage for deriving the utmost benefit from the tuition there." Fees The fees payable by ordinary students are : i s. d. For the entrance examination. . i i o Balance of entrance fee on becom- ing a student 4 4 o Tuition fees, for ordinary curricu- lum, per term 11 n o Tuition fees for the curriculum set forth in the prospectus (wind instruments) 7 7 o Optional Subjects Additional principal study : One lesson per week (30 minutes) 440 Two lessons per week (30 minutes each) 770 Additional second study, one lesson per week 2 2 o Operatic class (ordinary students) i 1 1 6 (students who dis- continue all other subjects) 330 Dramatic class (ordinary students) 220 (students who dis- continue all other 330 subjects) Diction j j q Elocution J J Q Accompaniment i i o Dancing ' ' j j q Stage dancing iio Deportment 050 Fencing (per course of twelve lessons) 220 Italian ' " j j q French ' j j q German    j j q This series will be continued
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