Klarinet Archive - Posting 000009.txt from 1998/03

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: School music
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1998 10:51:05 -0500

> In a message dated 98-02-28 13:37:41 EST, you (Roger Garrett) write:
> > Sure......but keep in mind, is public relations why we use state tax
> > dollars to fund a band? SHOULD it be that way? Do you know WHY music was
> > put in the public schools - accepted as a part of the curriculum - to
> > begin with?

BCaslinger wrote:
> Please tell me, I am curious.
> Thanks...
> Bruce

The question I posed was one that was meant to spark a realization in the
person who stated that marching bands are great public relations tools.
While I feel that marching bands are GREAT public relations tools as well
as entertainment tools, they should not be the measure of the program.
I believe, much to Don's chagrine, that too many band directors/teachers
are using the marching band competition to show the worth of their program
and have forgotten why the band is in the curriculum to begin with. Tax
dollars should be paying for a child's musical literacy........of which
one might want to include marching band......but which should focus on a
child's musical learning in the areas of pitch recognition, tonal
recognition, the realization of a beautiful melodic line, understanding of
fundamental to complex harmonies, rhythmic literacy, and the ability to
demonstrate such understanding through performance on a musical instrument
within an ensemble setting. The band became part of the music curriculum
as a means to teach musicality......the marching band came long after the
concert band......as a public relations/entertainment tool.

Roger Garrett
IWU