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A Note
From Bob
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June, 2002 This last spring I had the opportunity to do workshops and concerts with several different high school band programs all over North America. I was amazed at the high level of musicianship amongst the students, the wonderful teaching skills of the directors, and the dedicated participation and support of the respective communities. Many of these programs were in less than affluent towns, many far from any urban area. So I wonder, why is it that the community I live in with its easy access to NYC, a fairly affluent population, many noted musicians and artists as residents, could be lagging so far behind most of the schools I visit. It seems that politics plays a factor in how music teachers are hired, very much like our government. What concerns me most is the fact that teachers (and politicians) are more concerned with "keeping the gig" than doing the right thing on the job. The right thing to do as a music teacher in a school system is advocate for your program with all the strength you can muster. Otherwise music and the arts will certainly take a back seat to sports, getting into Harvard, and any other number of things. Why do some schools have band rooms with kids hanging out listening to recordings, big bands that rehearse every day as a credited course, travel to Europe, parent commitees that help raise funds for band trips, new music, new equipment, great sounding ensembles, and a real sense of pride amongst the students? Why do other schools have band rooms that look like they were from the Revolutionary War, tired sounding bands with parents deleriously clapping at spring concerts, band directors who show up late and demand little or nothing from the students, jazz bands that rehearse once a week at 7 in the evening? Its all about the DIRECTOR, and his ability to build a program. If we as musicians and members of society want to live in a world where there is quality music and art we must see to it that our children get a good musical education in school. If this doesnt happen the quality of music and the music listener will deteriorate. Music teachers must be qualified teachers and players and, most importantly, passionate about music. I urge all of you who have the "music bug" to consider teaching. We need you out there! For without educated listeners we will not have an audience for anything more than the pablum that much of the recording industry is feeding the public nowadays. I have learned much of what I know today about music from the generosity of older musicians who took the time to share their knowledge with me. I feel it is my duty to do the same. This is why I stay active in the educational scene. Peace, Bob Mintzer |