The Death of Music Education

Originally posted by Mike Supple Perhaps if school administrators would offer Phy Ed credits to students who did marching band.....After all, it is more strenous than archery or badmitten,golf, etc..   (Fat chance)

That is the case in most systems in Alabama, however that is slowly being eliminated due to the "fight" against obesity.  The problem with that is that you often get only one year of participation to get their PE credit, then they quit.  Of course, a lot of them get hooked and stick with it.

I do like the idea of music outside the schools.  It seems to work for the Brits; but, I do believe that school music is a unique experience in our schools that should not be lost.  I see many students who would have no other social group to be a part of if not for band. 

I also think the "I don't want to do marching band" thought is bunk.  Just like any other activity, the school band program has to be something that's exciting and generates interest.  If the marching band is spending all of their time working on "Earth Pains:  Variations on the Jeremiah Symphony and the Music of Eric Whitacre," then there might be a disconnect. 

That disconnect might also extend to the band supporting public.  I don't know how it is anywhere else, but my band is totally self-funding.  If not for the concession stands we run during football season (which brought in $50,000+ this fall), the cheesecake we sell, the cow patty bingo we're about to run, etc., then we would have nothing.  All of that support is derived from marching band.  It's a necessary evil in the south.


Edited by Matt Fields - 20 Apr 2010 at 18:36

With Karaoke and American Idol the public has the idea that anyone can "do"music. Garage Band and other programs teaches that no training is needed to "do" music. And most importantly, band programs that lower standards in the hope of keeping numbers up are proving to do just the opposite. If the group doesn't have any exclusivety it doesn't rreally mean anything to be a member.

Originally posted by Dave Bacon "I also think the "I don't want to do marching band" thought is bunk."    Of course, put down what students say that don't continue......

Or put down the person that doesn't agree with it and ignore the thoughts that go along with the comment?

The problem is not that the student don't continue, it's why they don't continue. 

Today's students are 180 degrees difference from even when I was in school, and I graduated high school in 2001.  They no longer do something simply to have something to do; rather, they have to see the value in it.  The director can't expect  the students to come to the band simply because they've got 21 straight years of superior ratings or because there's nothing else to do in the small town.  The director has to sell the program to the students and make it stand out among the million other options the kids have and that's especially true in an area where numbers are working against you. 

Yes, I think the kids' like of thinking is a load of crap.  Ask them why they don't want to do marching band?  90% of them will just shrug their shoulders and mumble "I don't know." 

So, like I said before, but was apparently ignored in favor of a personal attack:  what is the marching band program missing that would draw them in?





Edited by Matt Fields - 21 Apr 2010 at 22:53

This is not about marching band, folks. (Admission of guilt also... my apoligies to Bill for getting pulled off track).  This is about threats to the overall music programs, of which marching bands are a part.  How they are run in each district is unique; there is a dedicated forum for marching band here if you wish to discuss how it should be offered.  That should be discussed.

Music educators are not entirely blameless for this mess. I see certified general music teachers with what amounts to elementary show choirs with all the cute dance moves, costumes, etc. There are plenty of elementary teachers who could do just as well with the 10-15 hours of training.