Klarinet Archive - Posting 000685.txt from 1998/04

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: music survival
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 09:45:07 -0400

On Mon, 13 Apr 1998, SEAN TALBOT wrote:

> Colleges don't need
> buckets and buckets of PR to keep the program afloat...but many
> high schools do.

Having taught at both levels, I would not be able to agree with this. It
might surprise you to know how much PR is necessary at the collegiate
level!

> Then the support drops off and there is no leverage to go against
> school boards with. Marching band can also provide a FUN musical
> experience for some students and it would be taking this away
> from thoes students that love a great marching band show. There
> are times you have to play hard ball with administration but the
> community has got to be on your side before doing that or the
> school board will cut you fast.

The word fun probably is the biggest problem with most programs. Now,
don't get me wrong.....it should be fun....REALLY fun, but that should be
a natural occurence of the learning process.....not the goal of the music
program. When the music teachers are out to provide a very expensive
outlet for the students, and the big argument for the outlet is that it is
fun, you have just placed the band alongside all extracurricular
activities - which makes it a prime target for being cut.

Roger Garrett
IWU