Sing Out North Carolina, Says Paul Weaver, March 10, 1920

From the University of North Carolina News Letter, Chapel Hill, N.C., March 10, 1920

Community Music

New plans for the development of community music in North Carolina are announced in a recent leaflet of the bureau of extension of the University of North Carolina, prepared by Paul J. Weaver, Professor of Music.

Defining community music as everything that will be of aid in making the community musical, Mr. Weavers says that the “sing” is the fundamental expression of community music, “for here everyone can participate, no matter what the age or creed, and no matter if some cannot even carry a tune.” The community chorus is the next step beyond the “sing” and beyond that comes the men’s chorus, the community band, the community orchestra, and other community instrumental organizations.

Mass music such as this, Mr. Weaver says, has proved its importance in American life. “It is in its very nature democratic. It is a most potent force in binding men together for a common cause and in forming and directing public sentiment. It is recognized as a vital factor in the present Americanization movement.”

Through the bureau of extension Mr. Weaver will be sent out to deliver lectures on community music and to lead community sings throughout the state. He has already started at Chapel Hill a series of Sunday afternoon concerts, which have been largely attended by students in the University.

--Lenoir Chambers