You will find the "History of Music," by Baltzell, a serviceable book. As a name for your club I suggest that of the patron saint of music—Saint Cecilia—perhaps, or that of a great composer. Ask the secretaries of a number of musical clubs for their constitutions and by-laws and then adapt these to your locality and circumstances. Make your pupils feel that it is their club and act, yourself, as secretary, if possible.
How to Get Music Published
Please explain how to go about publishing a piece of music, and also give the name of some good publishing houses.
It is very easy to publish a piece of music if the publisher sees any merit in it. Send your piece to any publishing house whose name you find on the title pages of your sheet music. The readers or advisers of the house will report to their chief as to the merit of your piece, and he will then decide and negotiate with you, if his decision is favourable. If he should not care for it he will return your manuscript and you may try some other house. I advise you, however, to obtain the opinion of a good musician before you send your piece to a publisher.
"Playing in Time" and "Playing in Rhythm"
What is the difference between playing "in time" and playing "in rhythm"?
Playing in rhythm refers to the inner life of a composition—to its musical pulsation. Playing in time means the prompt arrival upon those points of repose which are conditioned by the rhythm.
The Student Who Cannot Play Fast Music
I find great difficulty in playing anything that goes quick, though in a more moderate tempo I can play my pieces faultlessly. Every teacher I had promised to develop my speed, but they all failed. Can you give me a hint how to overcome my difficulty?
Quickness of action, of motion, even of resolution, cannot be acquired by training alone; it must partly be inborn. I assume that your piano-playing is one phase of a general slowness. There is but one remedy for that. You have relied upon your teachers to develop your speed—you should have relied upon your own will-power. Try to will it and to will it often; you will see the ability keep step with the exertions of your will.