 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brian Peterson
Date: 2003-12-17 01:33
I did my best to try and steer my youngest son to play the clarinet, but he really has his heart set on the viola, so what can a dad do do but support him.
Trouble is, our school district only offers an after school program that meets two days a week, for an hour at a shot, hardly enough time to devote to the fundamentals that ten and eleven year olds need to focus upon.
Some parents, myself included have begun to think about making our voices known to the school board to see if we can implement a more comprehensive program districtwide. Our dream is to have a sting program in the five or six middle schools as well as the three high schools, but alas, there seems to be no money. As frustrating as it seems, I personally I don't think the antagonistic approach that some of our group seem to advocate is going be effective in the long run.
So, to make a long story short, I'm wondering if any of you folks have been down this road before and might be willing to offer a few suggestions and or strategies.
If you'd be willing to contact me at my e-mail address above I would be most appreciative.
Thanks.
Brian Peterson
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2003-12-17 01:41
From 3rd through 8th grade, band met once a week, for an hour, and we (my parents anyways) paid the teacher directly. I didn't make all that much progress relative to some boardgoers' experience (though I was playing flute at the time), but it was enjoyable nonetheless. From my POV, be thankful that it's covered two days a week.
Good luck fighting the district. In my experience, district-adminfolk have been decidedly unresponsive to arts funding requests.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-17 02:47
Frankly - if he's even brilliantly talented musically he'll have a much better chance of getting employment as a violist than as a clarinetist. Trust me, I know first hand (play viola and clarinet).
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-17 03:56
You may have to bite the bullet and spring for private lessons as well as the school lessons. I myself played clarinet and cello equally well (or bad as the case may be) going into 8th grade. I had played both for 4 years at that point and was doing well, but I was forced to choose which one I wanted to play because I was told I couldn't play both since the "band time" for orchestra and band were at the same time. So I chose clarinet because the band program was more accelerated and on a better track than the orchestra.
I regret not playing cello as well and would love to play both. So I had to give it up due to the school's policy. But if only my parents had sprung for private lessons . . .
If your son really likes viola, perhaps you can offer him lessons, but strike a deal that he practice perhaps at least an hour a day and hopefully he'll go along with it. All this time fighting for the better music program, but at least you're not just "waiting" for something to happen but taking action on the side as well.
Alexi
Hmmm . . . now that I think about it, lessons on the clarinet would've been nice too (especially since I tried hard and made first chair for clarinet in our band every year in HS and first chair in sax in jazz band each year I tried in HS. I guess I just figured they'd catch the clue . . . )
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2003-12-17 04:56
I'll check on the details tomorrow, but I believe that the woodwind teacher for several HS's in my area is privately paid by either the band boosters or parents. That would be an option for interested parents to group together and foot the bill along with fund raising by the students themselves for group instruction. Certainly cheaper than individual lessons.
Best
Best
Rick
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-17 14:52
All of our areas most successful music programs have one common component, an extremely active and broad-based music "boosters" organization. Some operate as part of their schools PTO and others are independent entities, but they all raise thousands of dollars anually, through a variety of fund raising events, that provide for musical equipement and summer activities that the normal school tax funded budget cannot (in these economic times) accomodate. A Music Boosters group of parents also can also present a presuasive and most unified voice in addressing the administration when questions of reduced scheduling or funding for the schools music programs arise. They provide the one voice that all school administrators must listen too, the voice of the tax paying parent. More than once, I secured the neccessary funding or approval for special field trips for my school band, not by jumping up and down on the principals desk, but by having a few of my more "influencial" parents give the school a timely call. My principals response was usually, "All right, you get your way--just call your parents off".
By organizing the music parents of your school district into an effective unified voice and work force which can lend financial and political support for your musical arts program(s), you are on the right track. Good luck.
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Author: supernova_khr
Date: 2003-12-17 15:02
If a 10 year old is getting 2 days a week from the public schools for free, you're doing good. Our school district starts instrumental in 5th grade, and they get one hour a week of group lessons. To save money, there has been talk of completely eliminating the elementary school instrumental program. Starting in middle school, they have band and orchestra classes, but no individual instrument lessons. If you want your child to learn fundamentals, going the private teacher route is the only way. (and BTW, in high school we pay over $500 /year for the privilege of having our child in marching/concert/jazz band, not to mention the $7.00 - $10.00 per ticket each time there is a concert, the constant fund raisers we have to participate in, and the extra hundred every now and then when there is some special trip for a competition. The band director is often quoted as saying "you pay to play."
However, it sounds like you're saying there is no middle school string program. What you may need to do is organize a city-wide community youth orchestra. If there is an arts foundation in your area, they may be able to help a group of parents do that.
Good luck!
Kay
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2003-12-17 20:34
Very few string players learn much from a public school string program. It's usually just a supplement to a private program- often Suzuki. This could just be the lack of good quality string programs, but I think it is also the instrument. String instruments are unforgiving. To be a professional, most start at the age of 5 or 6. I've never known a decent string player who hasn't been in private lessons.
For the record, my school's elementary school band (3rd to 6th grade) met for half an hour a week during lunch- meaning we would not eat on Thursdays.
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