SINGING AT THE GAMES.

Although the football season is still young, it is not too early to express a hope for improvement in our football songs. There is no valid reason why our singing at the large games should be inferior to that of many of our opponents who are far behind us in numbers. Yet we have learned by experience that we have little cause for pride in this respect.

As far as the quality of the songs is concerned, perfection is still a far distant goal. Now and then a really catchy tune is evolved, but it is rare indeed that good words and music are combined. Surely Harvard has no lack of capable composers or of men able to write appropriate lines, and if a competition is started early enough, and the real musicians of the University enter into it with the right spirit, we should not lack for songs which mean something.

In execution, moreover, we have no reason to lie back upon our laurels. Songs which have to be read from printed slips, and which are practiced only at one or two mass meetings before the Yale game, are no more effective than could be expected under the circumstances. Again, if the suggestion is not too radical, we should like to see men leading the singing who have some qualifications for their positions. It is too much to expect that a large body of men can be led satisfactorily by even a brilliant hockey or baseball player, who has not himself solved the mystery of time or key. Nor can we expect greater success from expert musicians who have no interest beyond their chosen work. With creditable songs and conductors who combine the qualities of leaders with a certain amount of musical ability, there is every reason to expect that we can produce singing which will encourage the players and please the spectators.

In this connection we are led to speak of the University band. This praise-worthy University organization is usually hurried forth on the eve of the Yale game to accompany the singing, and the lack of concerted practice generally results, either in the exhaustion of musicians and singers alike in an effort to keep together, or, when harmony is despaired of, in a total disregard of each other.

In order to remedy these numerous embarrassments, and to make the musical side of the football season a success, we urge an early co-operation of those who can be of assistance in this matter. Timely and well-directed action will help to make the Yale game the occasion of a display of finished singing as well as finished football.