Klarinet Archive - Posting 000814.txt from 2001/05

From: Bilwright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Requirements for grade
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 01:34:52 -0400

I don't know if there's any value in comparing anecdotes, but perhaps I
need to speak up for the 'other side' because the nationwide situation
is not _all_ bad:

(I've lost track of who said what, I'm probably quoting more than one
person here)

<><> but you are making the mistake of equating band and marching
band. [snip] At college, a student could sign up for either or both.
[snip] Public school students don't have this choice.

In our school district, they do. This was part of the budget
battle that we fought this year in our school district (and won, just
barely). Although each school in our district is different, and none
of our schools have all of the following, each school has at least two
non-marching instrumental groups -- jazz band, musical theater
mini-orchestra, string ensemble, drum line (10th in the nation last
year, BTW), brass ensemble, and of course a marching band.

The anecdote that I posted a few days ago about the young man with
red & green hair who plays cello is a non-marching example. It happens
that he also plays percussion in his school's jazz band. He's a
respectable drummer.

I also mentioned that one of our bands played some 'weird stuff' at
the school board meeting -- perhaps Schoenberg (I didn't recognize it,
but it sounded 12-tone to me). Once again, definitely not I-IV-V
music.

<><> Music SHOULD be taught as well, and the more that IS taught,
the better the band is likely to be.

It is in our district. My daughter is in chorus right now, and
she comes home with worksheets about keys and intervals and rhythms to
clap and so forth. Also a few "When did Mozart live? What is an
opera?" tests.

<><> Also remember that our public schools have used band as an
excuse to drop general music so that the student's only opportunity to
learn music is in band.

I think you need to say "some schools" here.

Cheers,
Bill

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