3-065-583 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Christmas party at the Royal Normal College of Music for the Blind, 1874. Engraving of '...the Christmas party of pupils of the Royal Normal College for the Blind and Academy of Music at Upper Norwood...We believe that, in a great many cases, not only in the lower but in the middle ranks of society, life-long distress might be saved by providing for the special instruction of the blind in some remunerative employment connected with the art of music. It is most creditable to the leading members of the great London piano-manufacturing trade that they have, in accordance with our suggestion two years ago, frankly attached themselves to this movement...The theory and practice of music, including composition and analysis, singing and playing, and the mechanical work of tuning and repairing instruments, are taught in proportion to the capacities of individual pupils. They have the privilege of attending not only the concerts but the rehearsals of the Crystal Palace orchestra, which is esteemed the best in England, and one of the best in Europe...The visitors who...saw these young people around their Christmas-tree, and heard their concert of music, were not a little gratified with the Royal Normal College of Music for the Blind at Norwood'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.