Klarinet Archive - Posting 000533.txt from 1997/10

From: Richard Green <richgreen@-----.com>
Subj: Re: music education in Calif.
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 11:06:46 -0400

Bill Edinger,Anna Gilman, and Grace Edinger wrote:
>
> When I described the situation in this part of California (Fresno), I
> didn't mean to impugn the skills of the music teachers! I think both
> the school band director and my daughter's private teacher (who also
> teaches in another school) are great, and deserve a lot of credit for
> doing a herculean feat with minimal support. By the way, it isn't the
> Fresno school system, but a neighboring system which includes the more
> affluent parts of Fresno. If most of these people can afford BMWs,
> Mercedes, and Lexuses, plus their SUVs (I drive a '92 Escort, by the
> way), why are there 35 kids in a class and no instrumental instruction
> for the sixth graders? I think we already know the answer.
>
> Some people wrote me to defend the Rubank series, which I too grew up
> with, but it hasn't changed in sixty years - my daughter's brand new
> copy includes a fingering chart with a drawing of a metal Boehm system
> clarinet on one side, and an ALBERT SYSTEM fingering chart on the
> other! It's dated 1933. Yeah, it's worked for a lot of people who
> became fine players later, but correlation is not causation, and it's
> still boring, boring, boring. Her teacher, fortunately, was wise enough
> to include a supplementary melodic tunes book by Rubank (also ca. the
> 1930s), which is a very good idea for anyone who wants to maintain
> interest by the young player. Of course, there are no Spice Girls
> pieces in it.
>
> Thanks to all for the responses,
>
> Bill E.

Bill,

Fresno isn't completely devoid of musical resources. There is the
University with a great Music School and Music Library, and of course
there is Millers Sheet Music Store - all worth a visit.

Rich Green
Livermore, California