Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 1997/08

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: How young is too young? (II)
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 13:21:36 -0400

On Wed, 6 Aug 1997 Gary_VanCott@-----.com wrote:

> but would you rather have an 8th grade band made up of students who had
> played for one year or four years?

In this part of the country, many of the best 8th grade bands exist in
schools where the beginning program is at the 7th grade level. That's not
entirely due to the fact that they begin that late, because there are many
other factors. I mention this just to show that it is possible.

The major reasons for starting earlier have more to do with trying to get
the students involved in music before other things start taking their time
than with helping them play better at an earlier age. And, this is a
reasonable justification for doing so.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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