Klarinet Archive - Posting 000158.txt from 1998/10

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Marching band
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 18:41:39 -0400

On Fri, 2 Oct 1998, Michal Balass wrote:
> See, we are not speaking of the same thing, I am not saying that MB should
> be the only musical program in school, but some schools do not have any
> choice.

Yes they do........but the band teacher allowed the band program to be cut
- through his lack of attention to keepting the program vital and strong.
The MB is the only band the administration sees (0ften).

> I graduated from High School in 97, and in the concert band there
> were aboue 60 students, and as much as that was a popular class, evvery
> year, the program is in danger of being cut. This is because the
> Pittsburgh board of Education does not believe that music is an important
> as athletics, or english, chem., etc.

Why do you think that is? Why do you feel they see the MB as important as
those classes?

> So, you will find that most public
> schools ( high schools) in Pittsburgh do not even have the MB, and those
> students are exposed to NO music. That is why marching bands are
> important to schools who support themselves without the board of
> education, because students themselves of course it is not like having a
> music lesson, but it is better than nothing.

North Hills high school no longer has a concert band or marching band?
Or, are you talking inner city schools?

> i know that marching band cannot be a model for music learning, but you do
> not realize that some schools just do not have any choice. At most times
> it is a matter of either having a MB, or nothing.

I subscribe to the idea that a concert band can be sold as easily as a
marching band to the adminstrative personnel. It takes time, effort, and
strong convictions - it can be done.

Roger Garrett
IWU

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