Klarinet Archive - Posting 000717.txt from 1999/07

From: "Paulette W. Gulakowski" <pollyg@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] School Music Programs
Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 18:41:33 -0400

On Wed, 21 Jul 1999 15:18:31 -0500 Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
writes:
>At 01:12 AM 7/21/99 EDT, you wrote:
>>The purpose of a football game is to frame the Band Show!
>
>Paulette, I'm certain you were being facetious here! If not - you
>should
>have been.

A local pastor who supports the band said that. I'm a Steeler fan - no
band shows there...
snip a bunch
>
>I wonder if that court order also allows anyone to be on the VARSITY
>football team,
YES - although those that can't play are lost through attrition (we have
a Quad A team)
or the swim team - even if they can't swim??
YES - they are taught
What
>about
>German Club if the person is not in a german class?
YES
What about
>etc.etc.
>prerequisites to classes are the norm - court orders can be challenged
>and
>successfully made null and void. Sounds like this one should be.

None of these are classes - including Marching Band. They are
extracurricular activities and as long as the student's academic standing
is good, a place has to be made. The coaches do not have to play them,
but they have to dress (remember the movie "Rudy"?). They have alternate
spots in the band and are taught to play something - last year we got a
tuba player that way (and she's not half bad and is back this year!)
Others play cymbals, there was at least one clarinetist, some are playing
snares and some quit on their own and some are trained for the band
front. The instructors, section leaders and field conductors give
intensive private lessons during band camp (and sometimes at other times)
to these students so they can participate. There IS an attendance
requirement so if the student shows up, and works hard, they'll perform.
>
snip
I know
>it
>doesn't actually say that, but if a person can sue to be in the
>marching
>band without playing an instrument (assuming they are not in the
>color
>guard), then something is wrong with the standards.

See my explanation above. In the cases of inclusion, the other students
see to it that acceptable performance is achieved. Our late starters get
helped and helped and helped and it is generally appreciated. Today, at
the clarinet sectional, I had to explain how to finger a "D" (4th line)
to a high school student who had been playing since 4th grade. Previous
experience is no guarantee of proficiency.
>
>Now I feel silly for getting involved. I like marching bands - good
>ones -

We're not good (we don't do well at competitions) but we are
enthusiastic. Alumni return all the time to help out. The staff are
primarily volunteers who come back year after year after year (3 paid
staff, 6-8 volunteer professionals and a varying number of alumni - not
counting those who work with band front)

>but the ones that run the entire music department are unfortunate.
I agree
>However, I agree with Paulette - it would be sad to see MB outlawed -
>there
>are many aspects of it that are terrific for kids.
>
>RG
Thanks, Roger.
Paulette
BTW, this year we are NOT playing Dixie or anything remotely
controversial (I hope). We're doing music from MGM Grand...
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