I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. It's full of gossip, rumors, and idiotic fights. In high school, there was a big divide between the music/art kids and the sports players. You can still see that big divide today. In my school, the sports coaches don't communicate well with the band and choir teacher. They expect the kids that are interested in both to forget the music because the sports practice is mandatory. People don't understand the music is a skill. It takes discipline and time to learn. You can't just take that away from the people that are interested in it. There is a lack of respect that is hard to ignore, even the administration and teachers look down upon us artistic kids.
It broke my heart when I guest played as the bassist for the studio band at my old school and the concert had to be rushed. What type of crap is that? At games people will stay there for hours but they won't sit back and appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into learning a musical piece? The choir and band numbers have dropped severely since I've graduated. I remember being there and seeing the hurt on my choir teachers face when a student dropped. Since that person was a close friend of mine I asked them why they quit and their reply was because I'm tired of being bullied and disrespected. How could a school district allow this to go on? And most of all... how can the administration and teacher faculty play a part in this? I respect those people that chose to play sports as well, although it's not my thing, but I would never try to diminish their self confidence.
From my personal experiences, I've received verbal abuse for picking up a bass guitar, I've had to take detentions for a sports kid because they had a game that night, and most of all I had to stick up for my rights. I am a human being no matter what my interests are. I would think that a high school would want to encourage the students no matter their interest of studies. For example, in my school we received music history in 8th grade, then it was optional when you entered high school ( my old school is Pre-K through 12 in one school), I took music history and music theory in high school, the classes were pathetic! The high school music history was a repeat of the 8th grade music history course, no effort to expand the horizons of young musicians. The music theory class was a joke because it rushed it so fast no one could grasp the concept. There are only three music classes available (Band and Chorus are considered Electives): Music History Grade 8, Music Appreciation, and Music Theory.
As for the concert subject, the band and choir had to up the tempo of the songs and squeeze everything together so that it only lasted an hour. When I was in high school, they were elegant lovely concerts. Everyone enjoyed music and between the band and choruses there were solo acts as everyone was getting set up. The principal would come out and joke with the audience, everyone had a smile on their face and had a wonderful time. There is no reason to get rid of such programs in a small school or make those programs feel less worth. It's completely sad that there has to be booster clubs for the band and chorus because they loose so much funding. It's also sad that we have to memorize all the music because we can't afford sheet music.
I would really like to see respect being equal in those hallways. My friends that are still high school and I frequently visit often tell me that things have gotten worse within those walls. In my head I just want to grab people and shake them saying WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU! But, since I'm not one to cause a scene, I told my friends that if they want to get respect they shouldn't run from what they love. They should hold their head up high and be proud to be a music and art student. They are starting to take my advice, but sadly the administration is seeing it as a bad thing. I never backed down though. Even when the principal threatened me with detention or suspension. Because then he'd be punishing me for who I am.
I am a proud music student and musician.
My name is Heidi and I'm not ashamed for being a music kid. And neither should you!
~ H
There's no doubt that focus is moving away from the arts in public schools...this is one of the reasons that my youngest has been home schooled most of her life. I graduated in 1985 (ouch, I'm old enough to be your mother). Band was cool, but then, perhaps this was because our football team sucked! Looking back, we had a fantastic, competitive music program, and I was fortunate to be a part of it. BTW, I'm from a small town, too, and I remember the drawbacks (gossip, etc.) FWIW, the dynamic does improve as everybody ages. After living in a huge metropolitan area for a while, I'm back in a small town and appreciating knowing my neighbors and not feeling quite so anonymous.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you, Heidi!
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, great post!
I'm glad to say that in my high school music and arts were a big deal. We had a lot of different music classes, art classes, and my school's band was number 1 in the state of NJ in my junior year. Our school strived on the arts. Two years of art or music was mandatory, which is rare for most schools. In the summer our high school even has musicals where people in the school and who are alumni can be a part of the play.
In my school there wasn't a big divide between the artsy kids and the sports kids. My school was actually pretty unified in that way. I never could understand why people feel that sports are a bigger deal than music and art. Like you said, music and art is a school. Maybe in my school people liked band and stuff so much because they actually won championships whereas out sports team don't.