Klarinet Archive - Posting 000598.txt from 2001/05

From: "Jeff Young" <kay10@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] School Board
Date: Thu, 24 May 2001 22:41:16 -0400

Our band has received Superior ratings the past 2 years at OMEA State
Adjudicated Event, so we are on the right track. However, my school is a
very athletic-oriented school, as I would assume most schools are. But, the
football, basketball, track, cross country, and every other sport that we
have think that they have the right to treat the band members differently
than the other students in the schools.
I do agree that forcing students isn't right, but I think that it would
give students a new perspective, and maybe a beter understanding that
everyone has to work hard in their respected activity, because I have had
students at the school tell me that "you have to work hard when you're in a
sport, and you don't have to work hard when you're in band or choir."
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marty Josephson" <marty@-----.com>
Subject: RE: [kl] School Board

>
>
> I don't comment much on this list, but here goes.
>
> I played both football and was in the band. We did not have "band jackets"
> or "band letters." I worked hard at my music--1st chair in high school,
> honors all-state band, but playing football is harder physically and
hard
> mentally. It did not matter how much I marched and practiced, I was always
> more mentally and physically tired after playing football.
>
> However, that is not the point. If we would have had band jackets and band
> letters, I would want them to be different. I would want to show pride in
> the band and show that it was different than athletics, and I would have
> worn both.
> Furthermore, I think that it is a ridiculous concept to force band members
> to play football or football players to practice music if they do not want
> to do it.
>
> My high school was a football power in my city. I never felt "devalued" as
a
> member of the band, but the facts are that more kids play sports than play
> music. The same point that you are making in regard to band are the ones
> that athletes in the
> non-glamour sports make--where is the recognition. Ultimately, if the band
> wants to be recognized, it needs to be successful on some level whether it
> is competions, school concerts, or having a huge membership. The band
needs
> to be promoted. Right now, our local high school's football team just
> stinks. The have won 3 games in 3 years. They barely have enough kids
going
> out for the team, and not many people show up to watch. But, the theater
> program is fabulous, and droves of kids go out for drama. All the shows
are
> sellouts. But you know, I have been out of high school for thirty years. I
> still play music, but I have not touched a football in years.
>
> Marty
>
>
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