Virtual Trumpet Studio http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/ This is an XML content feed of; Virtual Trumpet Studio : Last 10 Posts Copyright (c) 2006-2008 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:29:21 +0000 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:08:40 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 9.53 30 www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/RSS_topic_feed.asp Virtual Trumpet Studio http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Virtua1.gif http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/ Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12866#12866 Author: Kelly Rossum
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 15 Mar 2010 at 15:08

sorry to hear about this.]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:08:40 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12866#12866 Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12865#12865 Author: Glenn Roberts
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 16:22

Bill, one other thought I had.  There are several (mine included) districts facing similar problems in northern NY.  I wold bet this is not limited to just your and my areas, but that is not the point I am making.

One of the local districts that is cutting staff is maintaining their full slate of extra curricular activites... to the tune of $350,000.  That amount would more than cover the salaries & benefits of those teachers.  This seems very, very, wrong to me.  Extra curriculars should be the first to go. Save the programs that are credited for students; they serve to educate the kids, which is what we are in business for.  Kids can play sports via their town rec departments, take dance at the local studio, and march in drum corps for marching experience.  I asked our union president today what our total budget for extra curriculars is.  She has put a copy of the budget in my box.  It is extremely unpopular to go after those things, but keeping academic programs (and I include music & performing ensembles in that, BTW) is and should be the first priority.  Trim the fat first.

In a time when performance standards are in question, enlarging class sizes and reducing class offerings so you can save the football team seems a bit backwards, yes?
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:22:11 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12865#12865 Wind? : TSWE High School Band Festival http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12864#12864 Author: Derek Reaban
Subject: TSWE High School Band Festival
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 14:05

Very good Glenn.  If it happens in a future season, I'm sure you'll experience something very similar to what I did.  Most of the guys in the trumpet section are high school band directors, and I got to see the one of these players in his role as a conductor and hear his band.  That was neat to see the different hats that we all wear (I've only known him as a section player in this group), and see him step out to take the leadership position.
 
If you need any suggestions on what went into this, you could contact Michael Willson on the link that I provided to the wind ensemble.  I think the key was to position the festival close to other spring music contests, because the bands were all playing at a very high level.
 
 
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:05:05 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12864#12864 Wind? : TSWE High School Band Festival http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12863#12863 Author: Glenn Roberts
Subject: TSWE High School Band Festival
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 10:45

Sorry I haven't seen this until today, Derek.  Sounds like it was a great gig.  

It would be a neat opportunity for us with our wind ensemble to try this.  I'll pitch it to our board & see where it goes.  Some of them are a bit difficult to persuade when it comes to ideas like this, but I'll give it a shot.
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:45:55 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12863#12863 Wind? : TSWE High School Band Festival http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12862#12862 Author: John Sheets
Subject: TSWE High School Band Festival
Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 09:19

How cool! Basoon is an interesting instrument and can sound very good. I'm glad to hear he enjoyed it.
 
All my travel this year has been east coast. D.C. and what not.
 
I'm hoping to get to Las Vegas in May that might be as close as I get to you this year; and that's a hike to say the least! Here's to hoping I can get back to Pheonix soon!
 
 
]]> Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:19:16 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12862#12862 Wind? : TSWE High School Band Festival http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12861#12861 Author: Derek Reaban
Subject: TSWE High School Band Festival
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 11:57

John,
 
Hard to believe it's been a year already.  Time really does fly.  We'll certainly get together the next time that you're in town (with no pesky cane to slow you down!).
 
The opening of the Don Quixote Suite (actually the 3rd movement but we took them in reverse order) is for solo bassoon.  When I asked my 7 year old what part of the concert he liked, he said, "What's the name of the red instrument with the white circle on top?  I really liked that part!"  Clearly he liked the Don Quixote!
 
]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:57:59 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12861#12861 Wind? : TSWE High School Band Festival http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12860#12860 Author: John Sheets
Subject: TSWE High School Band Festival
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 11:47

I'll second that the performing venue is fantastic. I just thought about this while reading this. Derek I can't believe it's been a year since I was there. How time flies when you have an infant!
 
I'd kill to play in that venue! I truly enjoyed your ensemble's performance Derek and eagerly await another opportunity to get back out there.
]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:47:54 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12860#12860 Wind? : TSWE High School Band Festival http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12859#12859 Author: Derek Reaban
Subject: TSWE High School Band Festival
Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 11:21

Glenn,

I had a very enjoyable night on Tuesday.  My Wind Ensemble conductor organized an event at the Tempe Center for the Arts (our home performance venue) with 4 high school bands.  Each group performed for about 20 minutes and did 3 or 4 pieces.  I was very impressed at the level of some of the bands (the Dobson High group was exceptional).  At the end of the evening, our Wind Ensemble took the stage and performed for the kids (Festive Overture, 2 movements from the new piece by Robert W. Smith – Don Quixote, and Pas Redouble).

I thought about you during this concert.  I’m not sure what it would take to make a festival like this happen in your area, but it was really enjoyable for everyone in attendance.  The kids got to hear other high school bands perform in a beautiful venue (I could tell the kids enjoyed looking out into the hall when they got on stage), and they experienced adults performing in a similar ensemble at a very high level (demonstrating that keeping up playing well out of school can be an enjoyable lifelong pursuit).  I’m sure the parents also enjoyed the evening.

The night before, we played our March concert, and if you haven’t heard the Don Quixote Symphony, it’s worth suggesting to the conductor of your wind ensemble for a future season.  What a fine new work for band.  Also on the program was October by Eric Whitacre.  That was my favorite piece on the concert.  It was composed in 2000, but this is the first time we’ve played it (and the first that I’ve heard it).  Very nice!

Hope you’ll consider some of these suggestions.
]]> Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:21:18 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1640&PID=12859#12859 Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12858#12858 Author: Bill Bergren
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 08 Mar 2010 at 14:08

There is enough blame to go around. A legislature that can't juggle the budget. A federal government that places undue emphasis on test scores. Media that won't let go of the idea that those yellow bastards are going to take all of the good jobs away from our kids. A superintendent that uses her positon as a bully pulpit. Administrators who's main priority is to keep students and parents happy. A system that forbids teachers to speak their mind with the threat of being fired. And last but not least, a significant number of complacent, incompetent teachers. ]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:08:21 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12858#12858 Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12857#12857 Author: John Sheets
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 08 Mar 2010 at 13:09

Likewise Bill... Keep us in the loop and let us know if there is anything we can do. For now I'll be thinking of your and your peers. ]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:09:14 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12857#12857