Klarinet Archive - Posting 000615.txt from 2001/05

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] School Board
Date: Fri, 25 May 2001 09:23:48 -0400

At 10:21 PM 05/24/2001 -0400, you wrote:
>I just wanted to throw some thoughts out on this subject too.
>
>1. Music should be part of the educational curricula. But by this I mean
>theory, music history, music development, music appreciation
>etc. Students could even do a little simple composing and so on.
>2. Band and chorus should be extracurricular activities for two reasons.
>a) There isn't time to teach music in either one, what is being taught is
>performance not music per se. b) If you are in band or chorus, there are
>weekend and evening commitments that students in other classes do not have
>to contend with.

I have some very serious philosophical differences with 2. a) and b)
above. It assumes much. Band and Chorus are in the curriculum because
they teach music literacy. It is the teachers who are choosing to to teach
performance ONLY and involving the extra-curricular activities that are
causing non-music professionals and non-music teachers to assume the above.

It is a sad day when it is suggested that band and chorus become
extra-curricular - it shows how poorly most music teachers have done their
jobs.

>This would make music education consistent with other subjects. For
>example, all students have to take English composition and perhaps
>additional English electives like speech class. Entering their compositions
>in various contests is usually optional. Students in English classes are
>not required to be on the speech or debate squads. They are not required
>to go to weekend debate and speech competitions. The latter activities are
>extracurricular.

And of course, this is the reason why I argue against marching band
competitions and the like.

>I personally think that students should be allowed to letter in music
>activities like band. I knew many students who lettered in athletic and
>artistic activities. Although not big in sports, I managed to letter in
>tennis along with speech, drama, debate, band, and chorus. A couple of
>fellows managed to letter in several sports and drama or some other
>activity. All of us put *ALL* our achievements on our sweaters.

You are on a dangerous road here Dee. What you suggest is akin to what
most musically uneducated administrators suggest for the quick
fix. Unfortunately, you will end up with no music in the schools with this
approach.

Best wishes,
Roger Garrett

Roger Garrett
Clarinet Professor
Director, Symphonic Winds
Illinois Wesleyan University
School of Music
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
Phone: (309) 556-3268
Fax: (309) 556-3121

"A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes
another's."
Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825)

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