Klarinet Archive - Posting 001653.txt from 1998/04

From: "James D. Lytthans" <Lytthans@-----.net>
Subj: Band/orchestra budgets
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 20:20:31 -0400

Roger Garrett mused:

> 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.

My music department budget in 1965 (the year I began teaching) was about
$1200. Reeds were 5-10 cents each, a Bundy was about $110. an average
4-5 minute band arrangement was $8-10 max. Now my annual budget is
$850, with reeds $1.25 each, Bundy's $300+, and that 4-5 minute
arrangement $40-60!! I really haven't bought a new arrangement in years.
Finale allows me to knock off a quick (and better) arrangement in short
order, custon tailored to my current group's instrumentation, and
featuring pieces I (and the kidlets) like to do. I purchased Musicscan
(?) not too long ago, and find that allows me to scan in a piano score,
make an arrangement in no time, and print out the parts, plus produce
practice tapes/floopies in MIDI format, too. All this w/o breaking any
copyright laws (I hope). It's a wonder music publishers are still in
business.
--
Jim Lytthans
Teacher, Nightingale Middle School (LAUSD)
Principal Clarinet, La Mirada SO & Claremont Symphonic Winds
Anaheim, CA
http://home.pacbell.net/lytthans/index.html