Klarinet Archive - Posting 000990.txt from 1999/07

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] school music programs(kinda defending corps too)
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 09:33:49 -0400

At 11:53 AM 7/25/1999 -0500, you wrote:
>I believe I already stated (and you quoted me) that I like marching bands.
>
I know. That's why it puzzles me that you spend so much effort to
denigrate them.

>> (I said:)
Of course. But you gave the choice of educating administrators IN LIEU OF
>> teaching discipline to children. It is ludicrous to assume that one must
>> make such a choice!
>
>Never said that. But don't sacrifice educating public and administrators
>and do the wrong thing with the students just to keep a job. Life's too
>short.

Your exact words to which I was responding were:
"Do educators have the job of educating administrators also (perhaps in
lieu of teaching home values to kids)?" (Sat, 24 Jul 1999 19:29:12 -0500
(CDT)).
I only objected to the CHOICE you gave me, not to educating administrators
and the public.

>> "Moderation in all things." Of course marching band can be overdone, just
>> like anything else. But one cannot assume that it will be and therefore
>> conclude that it is always bad.
>
>I certain you are not implying I think it is always bad? I just can't
>figure out what you mean otherwise.
>
You do seem to lead a double life, both defending and dissing marching
band. You claim personal, positive experiences, and, if I read your
signature block correctly, DIRECT one at the college level. Yet you (and
others) constantly snipe at it as somehow beneath the dignity of REAL music
students. That is certainly as great a generalization as any I might have
made in this discussion, and one with which I cannot agree.

>> I don't see how marching band in any way interferes with the creation of
>> musically literate people, and in fact I believe it helps, if only in a
>> limited way.
>
>Visit some more schools away from your immediate area and see how it
>negatively affects musical learning/development. To say you don't see how
>it can, not recognize that you may not be in a position to see how it
>does.....
>
>Don't take my word for it...........
>
> But there seems to be such great concern that it damages
>> embouchures and reduces "serious" practice time that it seems that the fear
>> is stunting the development of future Stolzmans, Morales', etc.
>
>Again, I just think you overreact to what people say. No one said that.
>But as a person who deals with the problems of marching band jocks, I have
>to reform nearly every embouchure that comes to me. This is serious
>business - and the people I have to do that with ARE on track to play
>professionally and teach.
>
See what I mean?

>> As for
>> "prejudice I hold against all university teachers," where did THAT come
>> from? Especially since my hypothetical situation clearly said "typical
>> HIGH SCHOOL band?"
>
>Just my interpretation based on your postings. Unless you say you don't
>have that prejudice, my belief is that you do. And you still haven't
>denied it.
>
OK, then I emphatically DENY it! And I have dealt with a few on my way to
a master's degree.

>> Personal experience and discussions with numerous other marching band
>> players and band directors. Not to mention postings on this list.
>
>personal experience.....please list:

Waste of bandwidth. Even if I COULD list them all, you'd discount them as
anecdotal anyway.

>> OK. Sounds like a perfect solution to the situation. You then proceeded
>> with concert music, I would assume. You thus wound up with the best of
>> both worlds.
>
>Actually, I taught music, of which concert band was a vehicle within that
>approach.
>
Semantics. And bad ones at that. Note that I did NOT use the phrase
"concert band." I said "concert music."

>> I cite the same people I cited above. If you have evidence to DISPROVE my
>> statement, that is, to prove that marching band is either ALWAYS or NEVER
>> valuable, please post that.
>
>I just don't believe your statement is fact. Especially without any
>proof. Sorry.
>
You don't believe that marching band can be valuable. OK. You'd better
tell your administrators right away so thay can disband the one you direct.
And many high school students will be disappointed to lose an activity
that brings them so much joy, self-discipline, self-esteem (earned, not
bestowed) and, yes, musical development. And if you deny the potential
value of marching band, why did you respond to James Hobby's post:

> Serious musicians? I produced a few orchestra players, a few band
> directors, and a lot of other professions. And a lot of the latter group
> have thanked me over the years for both an educational and enjoyable
> experience.

with the following comment:

And so you did it correctly. Bravo! This is the best advertisement for
MB in the public schools. I only wish it were this way everywhere!

>> The "THEY" I referred to was the spectators in the stands at the football
>> game, not the band members who, of course, you CAN teach in better ways.
>
>*sigh* end of discussion.
>
To quote my own post:
>> Besides,
>> how many of those people in the stands at halftime have ever even HEARD
>> "Carmina Burana" much less SPELLED it? The exposure to even an arranged
>> and choreographed version is better than no exposure at all!

It's been real!

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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