Klarinet Archive - Posting 001299.txt from 1998/04

From: exner@-----. Exner)
Subj: Re: budget cutbacks
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 1998 19:28:21 -0400

Money does rule the world--and that's why those guys who play the games
on TV make the millions while those talented orchestra members earn a
mere $60,000 or so.

Jill E.

On Wed, 22 Apr 1998 19:27:29 -0500 (CDT) Roger Garrett
<rgarrett@-----.edu> writes:
>On Wed, 22 Apr 1998, Jason Hsien wrote:
>> A lot of people are going to kill me for this but I side with the
>school
>> decision to support more for the athletic department. After all, the
>> athletic department obviously is able to earn lots of money for the
>school.
>> On average, the public is more likely to support high school sports
>(we even
>> have 2-3 local television stations, one of them an NBC station, that
>shows
>> high school sports games, another unaffiliated one with one-hour
>broadcasts
>> of all sports, and then a local community channel) than high school
>music,
>> and therefore schools earn more money from sports, so they can spend
>more on
>> sports.
>
>No one would ever fault you for holding such an opinion.....it agrees
>with
>most of corporate America! But, on the other hand, I probably would
>not
>want you teaching my children music either!
>
>> Also, on uniforms, you are being absolutely unfair. One good
>wool-made band
>> uniform can cost on the upwards of US$300-500. A football players'
>uniform,
>> as long as the athlete opts not to pay for it him or herself to get
>> personalized, can cost, maximum, $75-100, including all that thick
>padding.
>> Normally, football uniforms are nothing more than nylon, polyester,
>and
>> spandex. Band uniforms are much more complex, with custom
>embroidering, an
>> interior lining, etc...
>
>Mouhpiece guard = $5
>Helmet = $35
>Pants = $18
>Jersy (custom) = 30
>set of pads = $45
>Shoes = $95-160
>Socks = $18 (for pkg of three)
>
>Total = $249-254
>
>Band uniforms range from $100-475 each with most falling somewhere
>exactly
>halfway between (depending on the bid and the number being
>purchased...as
>well as the style, accessories, etc.).
>
>> But, I do agree that you should look into whether or not your school
>really
>> is paying a lot more for sports. It's more likely that they are
>spending the
>> same, it's just athletic boosters earn more.
>
>A big issue to consider might be - is more school money (budgeted
>through
>the athletic dept./school board approved) for the football team than
>any
>other classes? Probably. Band is not the only one discriminated
>against.
>But, most band programs have a much higher budgetary need than other
>classes - that is, disposable budget - new music every year is
>particularly expensive. When one Manhattan Beach, 4 minute
>composition
>costs $135, or new Symphonies for band by major wind composers cost
>upwards of $300 each (Symphony #3 by Barnes is $375 and Lord of the
>Rings,
>Symphony No. 1 by de Meij is $450!), it is no wonder that band budgets
>remain difficult to fund.
>
>There are reasons beyond just professional sports why music budgets
>are
>cut....most of them do not convince the public they are worthwhile.
>What
>does it take? For one.......place the emphasis where the students and
>parents (and community) demand a band program.
>
>Roger Garrett
>IWU
>
>

   
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