Klarinet Archive - Posting 000810.txt from 2001/05

From: "Jim Hobby" <jhobby@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Music education goals
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 00:17:42 -0400

What should a high school graduate in general know? I happen to think that
all graduates don't particularly need to know about music, from an academic
standpoint. Many students can't manage rudimentary English. To expect them
to attend a required course in music is, at best, an exercise in futility.
Make it available and optional. Sure. Not required.

Our local high school offers wind ensemble, marching/concert band, jazz
band, music history, and a course that amounts to music appreciation. (I
can't remember the exact title.) All (except jazz band, I think) are full
credit courses. We have drama and art, as well. (No string program.) We
have the usual problems with sports figures with delusions of adequacy and a
school superintendent who, now that he has a multiyear contract with a very
expensive buy-out provision, has let his meglomania show.

The performing ensembles are financed almost totally by the band parents
association -- plus a seemingly inexhaustable supply of sales and a few
minor corporate grants. The county pays the band director's salary. The
drum instructor and jazz band director donate their time. (Both are or have
been licensed music educators.) I will join the ranks this fall as woodwind
instructor, also donating my time. (Over the years, licensed to teach in
FL, GA, AL, TN, SC, & CA., but now retired.)

As far as public performances, that's sort of the reason for the existence
of performance organizations. I suppose one could take private lessons and
simply learn the instrument, w/o performance. I think that's a waste,
personally. To me, much of the enjoyment of learning the clarinet was the
performances.

Just my two cents worth, which in this economy, is probably only work a
penny.

Jim Hobby

======================

>From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
>
>Since I happen to believe that performance is merely one element of music,
>yes you can teach music without requiring performance. So there is no need
>to subject students to the stresses of performing. [snip]
>
>Let's see what the music educator's have to offer here. What should a
high
>school graduate in general know about music even if they did not
participate
>in performance groups and do not intend to pursue music as one of their
>vocational or avocational life goals?

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org