Killing Me Softly

It rained hard tonight. Bummer. I was looking forward to seeing the show. I was looking forward to seeing the reaction of the 8^th graders who came over for tonight’s invitation to spend time with the high school band, and get them fired up for next year. Playing in the auditorium just didn’t do justice to the sights and sounds of a game, the crowd, the warm up, the uniform … but I’m glad they came anyway!

A successful high school band depends on a successful middle school band. (Duh.) I’m not certain of the statistics – if anyone is, please share – but there is a strong share of kids who somehow don’t make the transition. And that share seems to be growing.

Around here, sports programs seem to be the reason. Marching band “conflicts” with sports, although I believe in its own way marching band is a sport. (I’ll have to write on that soon!) This town has great sports teams, and to develop those great sports teams, there is a great organization starting from the youngest ages – the Green Hornets.

I don’t resent them. In fact, for son #3, I also write a check. But with board of education and school districts “dropping the ball”, why don’t we have a Green Hornets for music? Not just school programs, though, but an organization that supports school programs from elementary on up, gets kids affordable private lessons and gives them what I believe they really like music for – the chance to perform!

Some kids are going to drop out, of course. More power to the middle school musician who is passionate about motorcross (36 of 52 weekends a year)! But sometimes I think parents and a community overplay one game, not seeing the intensity of preparation and performance in another.

Music education deserves the emphasis of physical education. Music also win scholarships – maybe not music scholarships, but scholarships in math, literature, and leadership. Music programs, including marching band programs, develop these skills.

Of course, some band directors hate marching band, especially competitive marching band. But they have to admit this: if it wasn’t for marching band, who would see and assess the concerts? For that reason alone there should be an investment in building an excellent marching band program, even if it doesn’t compete.

Music (and arts) education is suffering. It doesn’t take a study to realize that. Maybe A/B and A/B/C days help in academic, but inconsistent in-class time is devastating to music without a community infrastructure. Band parents play a great part in supporting the school program. But we need more than just the parents in one school – we need a community with passion.