Klarinet Archive - Posting 000612.txt from 1999/07

From: JCLizmod2@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] School Music Programs
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1999 22:21:34 -0400

In a message dated 7/18/99 9:47:13 AM EST, jsimpson@-----.net writes:

<<
I too am concerned about the state of school music programs. I'm not
a music educator and my children are too small for this yet (but some
day I hope they're interested).

1. It seems that (at least in this area) less kids are starting (or staying
with) music? (Maybe a foundless opinion.)

2. In our area the fall "band" program is marching band. Didn't this used
to be an after school extra curricular thing? The kids miss half a school
year of "concert band". That doesn't leave much time for chamber music
or other types of instrumental learning.

3. It would be nice if they went to Disney World and such places to play
concert, chamber, and jazz music. (maybe they do this, I don't know.)

4. Think of how many fine and exotic instruments uniform money could
purchase.

In many ways I feel sorry for music educator's whose hands are tied
by administrators who want entertainment provided at football,
basketball, (soccer, swimming, track, lacrosse) events. >>

Our school music program is actually pretty good and well- run!
True, every year the number of music students decreases but those who stick
with it are excellent players with promising musical futures.

Starting in fifth grade and ending in ninth grade all band classes
are concert band. In tenth grade students have the option of staying with
concert band or entering marching band, or both. In the 6th through 8th
grades, brass, percussion and bass players can audition to join one of the
jazz bands, who play at concerts, alternating, and we have a district jazz
festival at the end of the school year.

We also have a summer band program for students grades 5, 6 and 7-8.
5&6 Summer Bands are concert bands and the program runs for 2 weeks. 7-8
Summer Band is a jazz band program which runs for 2 weeks also. During the
course of summer bands the kids learn a set of pieces for a final concert at
the end of summer band and they also attend classes such as Music Improv,
Band in a Box and Music Theory.

I know that we are lucky and very fortunate to have such a fine music
program here. I have heard about school music programs suffering for money
and such, to the point of having band classes only once a week. I think it's
tragic that kids don't get as much music exposure as they could because of a
simple thing like money! Music is a big part of my life, and as many of you
could testify, I don't know what I'd be doing if I didn't have my clarinet!!!
Any other thoughts on this?

Kaylen Walters
CMS Music Department
Wayzata, MN

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