Klarinet Archive - Posting 000040.txt from 1998/10

From: "George Landis" <George@-----.org>
Subj: [kl] Texas Music Education
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 15:40:38 -0400

>From a previous post:

I have gone to the TMEA convention in San Antonio, Texas for the =
past=20
> five years and I am amazed at the incredible level of participation that =
the=20
> schools experience wih music. It is not uncommon for a school of 500 to =
have=20
> 200 kids in the music program! Most of the kids participate in the =
marching=20
> bands which are huge because the athletic programs are huge. In this =
case=20
> music has benefited from sports. Not the usual case in the real world!
>=20
> Most of these kids will probably not continue with music past =
high=20
> school, but this tactile/emotional/personal contact with music is =
what=20
> creates music lovers of the future. We desperatley need that in this =
country=20

Fortunately, I'm told that Texas is one of the last states in the US to =
require arts credits to graduate from the public schools. This and the =
history of strong music programs, particularly in the growing, suburban =
school districts contributes to what is apparently a high participation =
rate in this state in band, orchestra and choir.

I can tell you for a fact, however, that the emphasis on marching is FAR =
greater now than it was 25 or 30 years ago, to the detriment of the =
quality of individual and ensemble playing in the bands today. The great =
days for wind playing in this state were between '68 or so and 1975. There =
are no bands around who can touch some of the ensembles from those days.

This need not be the case. If high school directors would devote 1/2 the =
time and attention to concert season that they do to marching season, the =
quality of the musical experience for every student would increase by a =
power of ten. (How's that for an unsupportable set of numbers??)

Regards,

George Landis

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