Klarinet Archive - Posting 000827.txt from 2001/05

From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subj: Re: [kl] Music education goals
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 09:09:51 -0400

At 11:17 PM 05/28/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>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.

Uh oh - you will be labeled "defeatist" for sure Jim!

I don't know - I think they should know about music in an academic way -
but not without including a performance experience of some
kind. Otherwise, it remains fairly academic.

I don't know about requiring - at least at the high school level. Perhaps
a music requirement of some kind - with many choices.....

>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.

I have had several students take only clarinet lessons and drop out of the
local high school band programs. They got tired of the after-school
activities taking the time away from their school work, but they wanted to
keep playing. Two of them were valedictorians, and both received major
scholarships to universities at which they played in the top wind ensembles
all four years.

Now I happen to think that's pretty cool.......

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

Naw - I'd give you at least a nickle for it...............!

Just kidding you Jim.

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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