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Date Posted: 14:15:33 02/26/06 Sun
Author: Erika
Subject: The importance of music

In my high school the gym and auditorium are right across the hall from one another. Since this is so it makes it almost impossible to have an event in the auditorium at the same time as an event in the gym.
Every year my high school has a musical. Opening night took place this past Friday of this year. Unfortunately, for some reason this year there was a basketball game going on at the same time. Like I said earlier the musical is a yearly event and is scheduled an entire year in advance. Even so a basketball game was scheduled for the same night. Plus, all the people in charge of the basketball game were angry that the hallway and auditorium were being used for the musical. They also acted like they were doing everyone a big favor to let the musical take place that night. If anyone has ever been in a musical before then you understand how much time and energy is put into a show. The students and directors worked extremely hard and then had to deal with a basketball game going on at the same time across the hall.
Why is it that to most people sports are more important than music. Yes, sports are fun and students work hard and learn great amounts of information while participating in sports but why is music any less important? What can we do as music educators to teach the world how important music is? Also, if we someday are in a position where there is a game going on at the same time as our concert or something similar to that situation is happening what should we do about it? Would it be best to just forget about it or should we voice our concerns?

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Replies:

[> Re: The importance of music -- Laura, 15:24:46 02/26/06 Sun [1]

Hi Erika! I completely understand that situation. I think a lot of high schools have to deal with this. I came from a high school where sports was everything and frankly I always found that to be extremly annoying since I really don't care for sports. That's when I got involved in the music program. It seems like the music program always had to work around the athletic program. We had people in the band and choir who were also in athletics but it seems to me like they always chose athletics over music. So they would either miss a performance due to that or the music program would have to reschedule something that was on the calender since the beginning of the year. My band director actually got to the point where he wouldn't reschedule anything because of sports. I think that's eventually what you have to do is put your foot down and say music is just as important as athletics.


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[> Re: The importance of music -- Molly, 20:09:09 02/26/06 Sun [1]

Always voice your concerns. One thing I learned in school: if you're annyoing enough, they eventually have to do something about you. If there is a sickening injustice, such as trying to listen to a concert choir, while being interrupted by loud raucous cheering and the blowing of air horns, then something needs to be said, because who can say which is more important? Sometimes it takes more than one voice, and sometimes it takes one very persistant voice, but you need to stick up for yourself and your craft.


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[> Re: The importance of music -- Rita, 20:33:34 02/26/06 Sun [1]

I also came from a school that revolved around sports and occassionally paided attention to music... What I found that really worked for my band director is that he made a real effort to work with the atheltic director. He always found a way to be level headed about the importance of both worlds and never step on anyone's toes. He also made it quite clear that the two worlds depended on each other. For example, if you want a half time show during the football game or you want a pep band to play at the basketball games, you have to work together... The band always supported the teams and the director made sure that the coachs showed the same amount of respect towards the music programs. It wasn't always easy and it took a lot of years to get there, but the system worked. The band director always made a real effort to work out scheduling conflicts and, I guess in a little bit of an underminded way, would really persue the kids of the coachs to make sure they joined some music ensemble, so that the coaches were always a little more willing to work with him on situations that arised, considering thier own kids were involved.

Then agian, I also came from a REALLY small town, you know the kinds where everyone knows everyone...


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[> Re: The importance of music -- Sarah, 05:37:07 02/27/06 Mon [1]

If that were to happen I would definitely want to voice my concerns. Athletic and Music programs should be able to work together to make it the best for both programs. I too came from a school where athletics ruled over everything and every once in a while, athletics and music were able to come together and work together to support the school.


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[> [> Re: The importance of music -- Bradley Jayne, 10:38:32 04/15/06 Sat [1]

Rita is 100% correct with her statement that communication is paramount in running anything successful. Secondly, I think that scheduling conflicts can be worked out in the beginning of the year before the students arrive at school. Or, if you want to be even more organized you can schedule them the year before. It is important to allow for equal imput from all sides on scheduling issues, and if later on during the year it becomes a major problem talk to the person you are having a problem with. And if that still does not resolve the issue go to your school prinicipal. Afterall, that is one of the reasons that they're there.
In response to the importance of music in school. I think that is important from the start to first establish a personal professional attitude towards music, which in turn will be recongnized by others. Second, I think that it is hugely important to understand and memorize the MENC National Standards of Music and what they stand for and how they work. (www.MENC.org) Thirdly, have a strong philosophy of music education that you can have on hand and defend, because the day will come when you will have to defend music. Lastly, utilize your parents in the support of the music program. Allowing for booster groups and parental involvment in musicals will supply you with a small army so to speak to help you defend the importance of music at your disposal. Music is also a form of entertainment. If you produce quality, entertaining, and rewarding performances then that will serve as a vehicle in support of the importance of music.


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[> Re: The importance of music -- Erika, 16:16:16 04/20/06 Thu [1]

I appreciate everyone's advice towards this situation. I do agree that communication is extremely important. Different organizations in a school should work together and be able to put together a schedule where all the events that need to take place have a certain date and will not interfere with another event.


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[> Re: The importance of music -- Tediyra, 00:28:37 04/24/06 Mon [1]

Schools mostly get recognition and patrons for the acts of their sports teams. I've never heard of Pepsi giving money and soda machines for the school with the best jazz band.

In the grand scheme of america's political and pop cultural standings, the art of music is unnesscary. All that matters is quick, indulgange by supposely hot, taltentless harlots *cough;cough* Hillary Duff...


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