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. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:54:35 +0000 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:57:59 +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/ 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 Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12856#12856 Author: Derek Reaban
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 08 Mar 2010 at 12:23

Wow!  It's terrible to see such deep cuts being proposed.  Good luck with this Bill.  ]]> Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:23:55 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12856#12856 Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12855#12855 Author: Glenn Roberts
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 06 Mar 2010 at 17:57

Bill, if you go to the MENC website there are a host of advocacy tools there.  The community and music parents need to mobilize on this and fast.

These are indeed tough times all around, but these cuts are disproportionate and unfair.

*well, after I thought about it, and re-read, I see you've already been to MENC's site.  I went into siege mode.  As Pat said, if there's anything we can do to help...


Edited by Glenn Roberts - 06 Mar 2010 at 23:11]]> Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:57:29 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12855#12855 Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12854#12854 Author: Pat Harbison
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 06 Mar 2010 at 14:10

Now Synergy REALLY has it's work cut out for it. Best of luck with your efforts. Let us know how we can help!]]> Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:10:06 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12854#12854 Music in our lives : The Death of Music Education http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12853#12853 Author: Bill Bergren
Subject: The Death of Music Education
Posted: 06 Mar 2010 at 09:26

This is a summary of information released by DMPS on Friday.
 
Approximately 37.5 DMPS music positions will be eliminated in grades K-12 music. The total staff is around 80 teachers.
 
1.   The Des Moines District cut about 13% of all regular instructional staff, but 47% of the music staff.

2. The Des Moines music teachers make up about 4% of the total regular instructional staff, however they make up 14% of the cuts.
 
3.  1450 students are served at the elementary level for band and orchestra, we project that less than 1/3 of those students will start in middle school, and even fewer will be able to maintain involvement past middle school (due to staffing reductions or eliminations at the middle school).  This is research-based, not speculation.  The secondary programs that remain will disintegrate.
 
Same for vocal music - about 1/2 the programs at the middle level were cut, and elementary music will be reduced from 45 minutes twice per week down to 30 minutes once per week.  These reductions will greatly impact MS and HS enrollment, and be the ultimate demise of what will become the bleak existing programs.  Approximately 13 teachers (we estimate) will teach over 1000 students each on a weekly basis in K-5 general music.
 
4.  Demonstrate the effect on community connections  and fiscal impact (businesses, real estate) *does anyone want to investigate this for me?   Dozens of people are contacting DMPS stating they will move to the suburbs if music is cut. 
 
Talking points to consider when contacting board members or administrators (priorities the district claims to have used to make financial decisions regarding cuts):  
 
1.  Adhering to the District Ends (our graduate expectations).  Most cannot be met with the elimination of fine arts programming.  Here is a link to the DMPS Ends: 
http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/schoolboard/Endsbrochurerev09.pdf
 
2.  DMPS will Focus on Dropout prevention strategies.  We know these decisions will increase the dropout rate.  
 http://www.menc.org/supportmusic_cases/view/323
http://www.menc.org/supportmusic_cases/view/679
http://www.menc.org/supportmusic_cases/view/366
 
3.  Limited reductions or eliminations of educational programming.  Our elementary instrumental program serves 1450 kids, and our elementary general music program serves 15,000.  The reduction and elimination of these programs is certainly not limited, and by reducing these programs, the elimination may not happen this year, but it will circle the drain and eventually be eliminated. 

Other next steps:
The Downtown Business Alliance and Greater Des Moines Business partnership has been contacted about writing a joint letter to the Governor about fully funding 2% allowable growth. 
 
The IMEA Government Relations Chair will be personally delivering letters to the legislature next week.
 
The best clearinghouse for advocacy materials and statistics is at http://www.supportmusic.com/
 
A supporter will be creating an economic impact document - basically explaining that by cutting elementary instrumental music, fewer kids will choose it in middle school, and you will have to pay for additional staff down the road so that you have somewhere to put kids, so it is an economic benefit to have band/orch (lots of bang for the buck, so to speak). 
 
Lastly, here is a link to the DMPS budget, although it isn't very specific.  There is a link on the main page.
http://www.dmps.k12.ia.us/
 
To see a list of teachers that have been reduced, go to the following link:
 
 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/assets/pdf/D215312835.PDF
 
 
Mark your calendars for March 30, April 6 and April 13.  March 30 and April 6 will be public budget hearings (location TBA), and April 13 will be the board meeting. 
 
The momentum needs to carry beyond next week to have lasting impact]]> Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:26:35 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1639&PID=12853#12853 Summer Trumpet Camp! : Summer Trumpet Workshop! http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1622&PID=12852#12852 Author: KevinInGeorgia
Subject: Summer Trumpet Workshop!
Posted: 03 Mar 2010 at 10:51

Anything new to report??  Also I can post more link and contacts if you need them?]]> Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:51:40 +0000 http://www.virtualtrumpetstudio.com/Forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=1622&PID=12852#12852