Klarinet Archive - Posting 000190.txt from 1997/08

From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: How young is too young? (II)
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 14:15:27 -0400

Gary,

I know that at our elementary the band was terrible and the instructor
wasn't all that good. We shared him among four schools and band met
once a week as a pull-out from the regular classes. Not only were kids
not progressing on their horns, but they were missing important things
in class! When I started in 6th I was lucky to get one of the finest
band directors around. He gave me a good foundation for how I have
progressed, something I mightn't have had if I had started in
elementary.

Then again, someone else might have had a fabulous elementary instructor
and lousy middle school. Additionally, there is the issue of private
instruction at a young age.

While there are always exceptions, I would have say the difference
between 5th and 6th is negligable. However, those that start after 6th
and especially those who start late in middle school or early in high
school are at a disadvantage. However, the ex-lead trumpet player at my
school (graduated this past year) refutes the latter thesis. She didn't
even know which end of the horn to blow in when she was a freshman, but
by senior year won all sorts of scholarships and is on her way to study
trumpet and music ed. at UCF.

So I digress to my earlier statement, there are always exceptions, but
generally I would say the difference between 5th and 6th is negligable,
and after that it becomes more of a factor.

----------------
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711

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