Klarinet Archive - Posting 000850.txt from 1999/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] school music programs(kinda defending corps too)
Date: Sat, 24 Jul 1999 01:09:39 -0400

At 09:21 AM 7/23/1999 -0500, Roger Garrett wrote:
>> No, but so little discipline is being instilled into kids these days that
>> the little bit they can pick up from marching band is valuable. It is
>> unfortunate that some programs must make marching band mandatory in order
>> to get the numbers they need, but that's life.
>
>Other than the altruistic goal of saving every child's behavior and lack
>of discipline from himself, I feel much better about teaching my children
>discipline, honesty, integrity, and other of life's lessons through a more
>practical and observable form - the home.
>
Oh, if only it were so easy! I'm sure you are doing a fine job job with
your own children. But are you going to go into each and every home and do
it?

>Also, as a music educator, I don't believe it is my job to use marching
>skills as a way to teach other parents's kids discipline. I don't
>believe that military discipline, as the above post was
>referring to (in relation to MC's post) is necessary for children. In
>fact, I would be against such a practice - to the point of moving my
>children to a different school.
>
As long as you are going to insist that you are only a MUSIC educator, your
argument is valid, and of course at the college level where you are I will
concede the point for your case. But at junior high and high school
levels, what we need are EDUCATORS who specialize in music. A band
director may or may not be able to inspire a child to a career as a
musician. Let's face it -- few of them have the talent. But you must
seize the opportunity to teach each student SOMETHING that will stick with
them and help them in life. Even if it is something as simple as standing
still and quiet when the situation calls for it. If that is what "miltary"
discipline does, then I am all for it, and I have been in some schools
lately where that alone would be a great achievement!

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.

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