Plea from a young clarinetist: Please save the music
As we’ve discussed before, threatening music and arts programs is a surefire way to jolt public school parents into action. It’s not unusual for a school superintendent or school board looking for a tax increase to ominously predict an end to music and art.
While often an empty threat in the past, music programs are now being cut.
This time, it’s no pantomime to rile up parents.
It’s real. Music is being cut in some systems, including Fulton County.
Here’s a letter from a Fulton middle school student. She asked if I would share it with you:
My name is Rachel Smith, principal (first chair) clarinetist of the Georgia All State band.
I represent our state in its entirety as a musical powerhouse. Clarinet is my passion; I someday aim to be a world-renowned clarinetist and impact society strongly.
I picked up the clarinet in the fourth grade. At the time, it seemed like a whim, but I was unaware that I would practice so much and meet a plethora of people who also do what I love.
The musical experience I have had is a priceless passion that I share with my deepest friends. Additionally, I have straight A’s and a balanced schedule. Music is a door that I have opened at such a young age; I doubt I would have began at all as a sixth grader, due to the adjustment to middle school.
Band is a healthy experience that harvests friendship and undying love. It also is the ultimate team sport; there are no benchwarmers. Band can also keep kids out of trouble as they adjust to the changes in their young lives. The door I have opened is one I will never exit, for I can testify for the everyday miracles by simply playing the instrument I would never leave.
But right now, who has the key? Instrumental music is a powerful and sacred art that must be left alone to strive. Don’t deprive the little kids of their outlets.
If Fulton County slaughters such a feat, what makes it so special from the other counties? Opportunities such as these should not be stolen from tomorrow’s musicians, artists, scientists, doctors, etc. Look at the facts. And save our bands and orchestras, before you annihilate a new generation of artists.
Thank you for your time,
Rachel Smith, 8th grade
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83 comments Add your comment
bootney farnsworth
March 29th, 2010
6:18 pm
I feel for her, I really do.
but where’s the money gonna come from?
Fulton is broke, and the morons who run it
couldn’t find water if they fell out of a
boat. even if the money were found, they’d
waste it on political & racial pork
bootney farnsworth
March 29th, 2010
6:20 pm
she needs to write to the heads of corporations, not the morons in fulton
hello.life
March 29th, 2010
6:28 pm
Why is music always threatened to be cut? How is it any less important than other activities/subjects?
old teacher
March 29th, 2010
6:30 pm
Well witten. I, too, strongly support music in schools. Fulton should consider at least next year keeping the fifth grade program. Beginning band in 6th grade is what most counties do. For many years Clayton County schools had a strong band program and began in 6th grade.
Also, I strongly support school nurses. All schools should have a professional health care person in the school.
I think some administrative cuts could be made to satisfy the budget.
professional skeptic
March 29th, 2010
6:31 pm
I played in band for several years when I was in public school. I’m more than willing to pay additional tax so that Gerogia’s children can have the same educational opportunities that I did.
There should be an additional line item at the bottom of the Georgia tax return for people who wish to contribute more to education, as a work-around to obstructionist Conservative Georgia politicians who cackle with glee when given the chance to slash public school funding.
If we can contribute to wildlife funds and dog/cat sterilization funds on the GA tax return, why not public schools (or, for that matter public transportation)?
Linda
March 29th, 2010
6:39 pm
This state will not even step up and save the academic classes. They certainly will not save the arts classes. The idiotic leaders of this state will slash and burn education, but I bet you won’t see the sports programs cut. They are going to max out class room sizes, lay off employees, and cut programs. They just talk about being supporters of education, in reality they could care less as long as their own children are sitting pretty in private schools somewhere else.
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ScienceTeacher671
March 29th, 2010
7:15 pm
Linda, I was thinking today that we’ve heard very little from parents about furlough days, larger class sizes, or cutting academic programs, but if the sports programs were cut can you imagine the screams?
ABC
March 29th, 2010
7:32 pm
There is a petition you can sign! If you are a resident of Fulton Co and would like to help with this effort, PLEASE go to:
http://www.petitiononline.com/sokm2010/petition.html
Sam
March 29th, 2010
7:39 pm
The Governor and Company are too damn busy trying to slam dunk the President that they cannot focus on the real issue! Hey Georgia, you voted for these idiots.
uberVU - social comments
March 29th, 2010
7:54 pm
Social comments and analytics for this post…
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Orchestra and Football Booster
March 29th, 2010
7:59 pm
When I wrote to the Fulton County School board seeking relief for the elementary music programs, I asked the same question as hello.life…why is the music program always a target? Hasn’t the FCS board learned that the music programs are a valued part of the county education system? Why hasn’t the board told the superintendent to find the cuts elsewhere? Quite frankly, it’s because the music advocates raise hell and provide the board with political cover when it comes time to raise taxes. We should fight for the music programs and hold the board members accountable at election time…even if they finally acquiesce to our wishes.
However, the tit-for-tat comparison to sports programs is wrong and needs to be challenged. First, funding for music programs includes salaries for music teachers during the school day. Sports programs mostly use teachers that teach other subjects and disciplines during the school day. Thus, cutting sports programs does not impact a school’s operating budget in the same way.
Any additional coaching stipend or salary for the sports activity comes from a budget that is often (not always) self funded by football and basketball revenue. The comparison is apples and oranges. Don’t use a bad whine to distract from a legitimate concern about the terrible cuts to our elementary music programs.
Ole Guy
March 29th, 2010
8:01 pm
We have probably all, at one time or another, seen the movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus”, excellently played by the venerable Richard Dryfus and cast. The lifelong impact of extracurriculars, music among them, cannot be over-estimated, particularly during the current times when (trusted) officials must make critical fiscal decisions.
Surely, these officials, “go-fish Sonney” among them, can learn the meaning of prioritization when they handle Other Peoples’ Money. As far as I’m concerned, one fails…they all fail. The entire, I repeat, THE ENTIRE legislative body needs to be replaced. What with the on-going pork (that which the public is aware of), there is no doubt that the money does indeed exist. We simply have lawmakers and leaders with no political spine and the most blatant self-serving agendas.
To Rachel, and to all young aspiring musicians, Godspeed! Never lose your gift.
Bell Curve
March 29th, 2010
8:09 pm
I truly believe that if the people of Georgia could vote for an extra penny sales tax to go for education the vote would easily carry. Our legislature will not even consider such a measure because it conflicts with what they really want, which is to destroy public education in this state. They go on and on about politicians doing what their constituents want, but they don’t really mean it. Too bad we are not a progressive enough state to allow for the public to place referendums on the ballot.
Gwinnett Parent
March 29th, 2010
8:12 pm
It’s really hard to feel sympathy for elementary school band when my own county does not have such a luxury. My child’s elementary school does not offer orchestra and she will have to wait until middle school for band to begin. That’s life! If a parent feels strongly about music at an early age, pay for music lessons like the rest of us. Perhaps the students could do some fundraising or like minded parents could gather some money. Unfortunately Fulton County does not have the funds to support elementary school orchestra/band and they do not need anymore taxes.
ScienceTeacher671
March 29th, 2010
8:22 pm
Ole Guy, “The entire, I repeat, THE ENTIRE legislative body needs to be replaced.”
Can’t be said often enough.
FultonTeacher
March 29th, 2010
8:25 pm
I implore the Ga legislature to consider implementing a commercial tax to supplement the loss of income due to the forclosure rate or a penny to the gallon tax…something, anything! Our schools need strong teachers and programs for the future of our students. Pay now or pay later.
RJ
March 29th, 2010
8:25 pm
@Old Guy love your post, but I must the correction that music is not extra curricular but co-curricular. Band, orchestra, chorus, general music, music theory all have state standards.
I started music in the 3rd grade in Atlanta Public Schools. My experience in violin and chorus at the elementary level created a life long love of music, so much so that I majored in music. It is a travesty that Fulton County doesn’t value the music program. This isn’t the first time they have attempted to end the elementary band and orchestra program; they tried about 4 years ago. Parents and teachers rallied to keep the programs in the schools. We must do the same this year. Schools have a responsibility to teach the whole child.
Board members should visit Sandtown Middle School and hear their band and orchestra. Truly they rank as one of the best in the state. Superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation is standard. This is due to the magnificent program at Randolph Elementary and other feeder schools. How can they possibly consider ending these phenomenal programs?! The middle schools programs will definitely suffer.
Plea from a young clarinetist: Please save the music | Get Schooled | Georgia Today
March 29th, 2010
8:29 pm
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DeKalb mom
March 29th, 2010
8:31 pm
DeKalb cut music, art, etc. a long time ago. This is just the start. They’ll keep cutting until we get rid of those in charge…
Note that amidst this budget crisis our fearless leaders in the state passed a bill mandating that our children learn about the GA state flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. You can’t make this stuff up!?! That’s what they think is important! Of course, there won’t be any teachers left to teach this stuff…
Values the arts
March 29th, 2010
9:04 pm
The value in music education is that the student can learn music for the sake of music, but at the same time, learn social studies (role of music in history), science (the production of sound), reading (fluency, and lyric reading), and math (fractions, fractions, fractions!) The child uses both left and right sides of the brain, which has direct connections to academic performance. Research demonstrates this over and over, yet it is the first discipline to be cut. Please save music in our schools.
Arlo
March 29th, 2010
9:08 pm
You won’t see them cutting the school admin. board either with their 6 figure salaries. I always thought there were way too many chiefs & too many underpaid indians. Oh well, there’s always sports…
Hope and change
March 29th, 2010
9:09 pm
Tell her to contact Rahm Emanuel—she can beg for a bailout, but it may be tough to get, as Rahm’s on the phone with AIG, GM and some investment banks who want more billions first! Those execs need to get paid—houses in the Hamptons are expensive to upkeep!!!!
fultonschoolsparent
March 29th, 2010
9:16 pm
Gwinnett parent – please note that a LOT of Fulton parents bought property in Fulton to get away from your inferior music programs. You should do the same and quite calling it a luxury! A lot of the rest of the country have elementary instrumental programs. It’s not a luxury, it’s a sign of a good program that has been in the top 100 music ed. programs for the last ten years. Your system just went the cheap route and it’s sad for your kids.
Maintain Man
March 29th, 2010
9:24 pm
fultonschoolsparent, then I can’t say much for you either, especially if you moved to Fulton because someone else didn’t have an elementary school band program. I’ll take my good schools, with an “inferior” elementary music program over Fulton’s inferior schools, and “good” elementary music program any day. BTW, your condescention makes you look inferior.
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Annie W
March 29th, 2010
9:42 pm
I graduated from Cobb County Schools last year. I was a violinist in my high school orchestra for 4 years, and I can attest that orchestra exerted an indelible influence over my life. It introduced me to other students and showed me that music serves as a bridge between people of all stripes. When listening to a Beethoven symphony, the world seems to stop, and for a moment, you understand what it means to be human.
That being said, I cannot ignore that music is a luxury. As a college student, my musical education has done little to help me write a paper, and certainly when applying to internships, my future employers were more interested in my GPA and responsibility than the number of octaves I could play. When push comes to shove, students need to learn reading, writing, and mathematics more than they do music. While I’m sad that future students will be deprived of opportunities afforded to me, the fact is that musical education is a privilege, not a right.
(This post assumes that Fulton County School Systems are efficiently budgeting the money they currently have. It seems quite plausible that cuts to music education are the result of efficiency rather than necessity.)
verdi73
March 29th, 2010
9:49 pm
You should have been in my music class as my students write papers and essays all the time.
just wondering
March 29th, 2010
10:02 pm
If Fulton cutting music from the curriculum or band which is an extracurricular activity? I think bands should be an extracurricular activity, with money raised by the students and others who want to support the program – to pay for the instrument, the teachers, music, transportation, etc. Music as a part of a curriculum should be preserved for all students to learn to appreciate music.
erased
March 29th, 2010
10:27 pm
Why don’t they start looking at the actual counties, speech path, audiologist, etc. under the new Obama universal health care plans won’t you be able to just go these specialist at the doctor’s office??? Why have them working for the school board now??? Don’t cut actual learning. These are health care services.
amazed
March 29th, 2010
10:30 pm
It is a proven fact that your strongest students are band students. Music students are usally outstanding math students. Georgia can’t afford to lower math score.
Apologies in advance
March 29th, 2010
10:35 pm
I know you mean well Annie W but:
“(This post assumes that Fulton County School Systems are efficiently budgeting the money they currently have. It seems quite plausible that cuts to music education are the result of efficiency rather than necessity.)”
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bootney farnsworth
March 29th, 2010
10:54 pm
where’s the money gonna come from?
do you really think any additional income will
be spent correctly? or would get anywhere near
the arts?
RobertNAtl
March 29th, 2010
11:05 pm
5 years from now: “Let’s face it, art classes are a luxury we just can’t afford in these tough economic times. I say let’s make it an extra-curricular activity. That should be good enough.”
10 years from now: “It’s a sad truth, but we simply don’t have the money to fund science classes for our children. If parents want their children to study science, they can always send them to private after-school science classes.”
20 years from now: “It’s a shame we have to cut foreign language programs from middle and high schools, but the budget shortfalls demand it.”
Ole Guy
March 30th, 2010
12:01 am
RJ, I stand corrected. My poor choice of descriptives in no way whatsoever is intended to diminish the importance of music. I have watched my neighbor’s little girl, from days old to her current early teen years, as she has had the opportunity to embrace both art and science of music. To have the privilege of attending her recitals is both a high point of entertainment, and, more importantly, a first-hand view of youth developing to their max potential. Thanks for your comments, RJ.
Farnsy, Curve, and many others…I would not advocate any tax increase whatsoever. #1: Our legislative clowns cannot be trusted to apply more than a minor percent of any additional monies to the purpose intended. They would, as they have so-aptly demonstrated, funnel needed funding into their own little pig pots…which dovetails into #2: We need to demand that these clowns relinquish public monies which they have earmarked for their own narrow agendas. In effect, they, and that includes Sonney Boy, have pilfered these funds which belong to the people of Georgia. If we simply adopt additional tax revenues, we are, in effect, approving the pork-bound allocation of public monies.
CA Civility
March 30th, 2010
12:10 am
Most States are financially in a terrible shape, but states and their residents also have to prioritize what they are willing to spend money on.People may not want o pay more in
taxes formally,but many have decided to pay more informally through playing the lottery.
ATLANTA – The Georgia Lottery Corp. today announced record first-half profits for education. Georgia Lottery profits for the first half of fiscal year 2010 totaled $429,754,000, surpassing the previous record set last fiscal year by more than $8.49 million.
I hope many districts find the money to maintain at least some of classes in the arts.
Ted Lane
March 30th, 2010
1:12 am
This needs to go the the people that don’t even go to the concerts anymore and support music. Look at the concert halls, they are empty. Even concerts that are FREE. Members of Symphony orchestras that don’t even go to hear there colleagues perform. Music Majors that don’t even go to concerts at their schools to hear their friends perform unless it is required.
Yes we complain about music being cut. This is bad. But lets really get to the matter at hand. Do we ALL REALLY WANT IT, some do, like this little girl, I do. But come on. There are a vast majority out there that don’t. Again, look at the concert halls. They are empty. Where are the people. At home on the computer looking at uTube, Watching TV, Surfing the Web……etc…….
I attend live concerts quite often….I support music in the schools…I LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRLS LETTER….
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY EMPTY SEATS IN THE CONCERT HALLS…..
DO WE NOT UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC….DO WE NOT LIKE THE MUSIC…ARE WE LAZY…ARE THE PERFORMERS BAD….ARE THE TICKETS TOO EXPENSIVE….
I GUESS THERE REALLY ARE TOO MANY REASONS TO SAY HOME THESE DAYS…..
MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS…..//?? WHEN TEST SCORES ARE DOWN….WHERE IS THE TIME….???
PRESSURE ON THE PRINCIPALS TO GET THE SCORES UP. MOST PRINCIPALS DID NOT HAVE A MUSICAL BACKGROUND TO SEE HOW MUSIC CAN MOTIVATE AS SPORTS CAN MOTIVATE…
JUST SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT…
free market educator
March 30th, 2010
3:26 am
The economy must be dire. Those fine “Northern” government schools are giving their teachers the “heave-ho”, just like the ignorant South. I guess it’s every wage earner for himself. I wonder if Rachel can play Taps on her clarinet?
http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/03/28/1001449/teachers-are-learning-economic.html
Ole Guy
March 30th, 2010
5:38 am
Annie, never underestimate the long-term value of your musical talents. True, it can probably be stated that the art…the love…of music has no direct correlation to the mastery of higher level math, and effective means of expression. However, the discipline; the focus and dedication acquired and developed through music will surely follow you in all that you undertake.
Good luck in your collegiate endeavors, Annie.
Gwinnett Parent
March 30th, 2010
8:59 am
Fulton School Parent-My daughter appreciates music and has been taking piano since the age of 5. She knows how to site read as well as play by ear. However, I pay for her classes on my own dime and not on the back of taxpayers. Her private lessons from a teacher, with a master’s degree in music are more than adequate. At least my neighbor is not paying for her lessons. I do not expect my daughter to be in a band or orchestra until middle school. If some parents in my area want to organize a fee based program in my area, I might be interested. However, a full blown orchestra, funded by taxpayers for elementary school children is a luxury. Fulton County needs to save class size and save the core teachers before funding extra-curriculars. Taxpayers are not a bottomless pit of funds. Take an econ class.
Mum
March 30th, 2010
9:40 am
You cannot trust the legislature to spend any money raised for the purpose intended. They famously use the majority of the money raised for those specialty tags (wildlife, etc) for other purposed. Remember, pork is always the money wasted by the other party. As a country, we have already outsourced our economy to others to boost corporate profits, do you really think those in government, both parties being co-conspirators, to do anything that doesn’t benefit their corproate benefactors? Govenment is a jobs program, and they will do anything to keep their jobs, especially in this economy, The voters and their kids aren’t anywhere at the top of the list because they know that if they tell people wha they want to hear, they will keep them in place. If the doctor tells you you’re terminally ill, one would hope you’d get a second opinion, but when it comes to people who control so much of our lives, and take our money to boot, people swallow what they say hook, line, and sinker, no questions asked. It’s easier to stay in power by pretending things are fine, than tell the truth and make some tough decisions and take your lumps, BEFORE, things hit crisis levels. Take it out on the kids, they don’t vote, so you’re safe!
Midwest transplant
March 30th, 2010
9:54 am
I moved to ATL from the Midwest and have been amazed by how horrible the schools are here!
I live/work in Gwinnett which in my opinion in WAY overrated due to the political garbldygook spewing from the politicians, and school administrators. Much of this is due to the conservative republican attitudes towards teachers and education in this part of the country. Sadly, it seems public education in Georgia is doomed to extinction. The majority of school systems in the Midwest begin band and/or orchestra in grades 3 or 4. No wonder Georgia is ranked near the bottom! I am saddened to hear of the loss of Fulton County’s elementary band and orchestra programs.
Ben
March 30th, 2010
10:16 am
Ted, yes we all really want it. Imagine a world without music. Not sure where you live but the symphony in Atlanta is consistently full as well as other venues throughout the city for all types of music. Vast majority don’t want it?? Based on what?? Your opinion? Please.
RJ
March 30th, 2010
10:19 am
@Ted, I was fortunate enough to be able to see the Atlanta Opera perform Aida recently. It was sold out! I understand your point, however musicians are needed for pop concerts, churches, wedddings, funerals, local bars, etc. I agree with you 100% that principals have no idea how motivational music can be to a student. It certainly kept me busy and out of trouble.
Typical
March 30th, 2010
10:30 am
Gwinnett Parent sounds more like East Snobb parent… “I don’t have it, so you shouldn’t either”
I. My. Mine. Me.
RJ
March 30th, 2010
10:59 am
@Gwinnett, being a part of an elementary orchestra or band is far from a luxury, it’s a right. Students have a right to expect to receive an education that is well-rounded. I started orchestra in 3rd grade, however I began PRIVATE piano at 5. I was also a part of the chorus. Ultimately I became a voice major with a minor in piano. This was only because I wasn’t able to take both chorus and orchestra in middle school, so in 8th grade I switched. My experiences in music helped me to become the person I am today. I can name several well-known artists that were my classmates. Music had a huge impact on our lives. In your world, all kids would learn how to do is pass a standardized test. I have never done an algebraic equation or geometric proof outside of class. So, is it really necessary? Sounds ridiculous right? The same reasons we give for forcing students to take advanced math and science are the same reasons students should have music classes…higher order thinking skills.
RJ
March 30th, 2010
11:00 am
filter…
Rob
March 30th, 2010
11:14 am
I have no problem with the school systems cutting music programs or any other programs that are not ‘essential’ to give children education. The belief that the government owes any child a music program is humorous at best. I think that if the kids and parents want a music program, then they should pay for it. The government is broken, we can point blame on pork spending or whatever but the bottom line is that it is broken. The essentials for education should be math, reading, spelling, grammar, history and science. Music and sports should be offered IF there is enough money to pay for it. If I want my child to be a great tennis player, the school/government doesn’t pay for his lessons, I do. If you want your child to be the next Yo Yo Ma, then step up and foot the bill, because if your childs goes on to become rich and famous, then you certainly are not going to pay the school back for the money that was allocated for the music program.
Oh by the way, yes I have children that went to public school, but I never assumed that they were owed anything beyond their core classes.
The Cynical White Boy
March 30th, 2010
11:15 am
The problem, as I see it, is that Oblah-blah apparently has not received enough contributions from enough musician’s unions.
If only there were a union for school music programs, Oblah-blah would have declared by now that every citizen (and illegal alien) had a fundamental right to music from cradle to grave. We would see a multi-billion or trillion or zillion dollar bill for Obama-Music working it’s way through our wonderful Congress.
RJ
March 30th, 2010
11:17 am
Rob, being in an orchestra won’t make you the next Yo Yo Ma sweetie. How is that possible when the band teacher has 79 other students to teach. Private lessons, dedication and talent will make you the next Yo Yo Ma.
Typical
March 30th, 2010
11:23 am
@Rob – Poppycock. If a kid goes on to earn a fortune in math or science, they don’t back-pay, either. That logic is full of holes. You fail to acknowledge that music students tend to be the better students in math and science. Band/Orchestra/Chorus compliment those subjects.
Nitpicking which programs should stay or go = FAIL. This is about something bigger… the mismanagement of our tax dollars on the front end. If our leaders had better vision to put education over horse parks, or [fill in the multitude of wasting programs that serve a small special interest] we wouldn’t have to ask which school related services to cut. Period.
Used to be Disgusted
March 30th, 2010
11:24 am
Was there ever a worse group of people than the Fulton County Board of Education and Cindy Loe? Why do they hate children and teachers so intensely?
Just A Teacher
March 30th, 2010
11:34 am
There needs to be a substantial shift in priorities before this child’s request will get the attention it deserves. Somewhere along the line, some people chose to prioritize some subjects over others. This is a ridiculous notion. Is Pythagorus any more important than Bach in human history? Did Chaucer contribute more to society than Rembrandt? The arts are fundamental to human development and any attempt to place them below more highly touted subjects is buffoonery. The status afforded any field of study is purely arbitrary, and I would venture to say that people will begin to place more emphasis on the arts in education after they realize how drab the world has become after there is no more art for them to enjoy.
David S
March 30th, 2010
11:38 am
“Opportunities such as these should not be stolen from tomorrow’s musicians, artists, scientists, doctors, etc.”
But according to this 8th grader it is ok for money to be stolen from others in the community, or other programs in school for her to be able to continue with her clarinet lessons, etc.
I suppose it never occurred to this girl that government has no money of its own. The only money they have must first be taken from others. I suppose it never occurred to her to ask her parents for the money for music lessons. Yes, they may have to tighten their belts to afford such things, but so will the people who may be asked for additional money from their pockets to pay for her musical desires. So may the parents of other children who will have to pay for tutors to fill the gaps in their child’s education when other programs are cut to keep the music programs funded.
We need only look at the comments from this little girl to see where our society is headed. We need only look at the comments regularly posted on this blog regarding funding and the sense of entitlement most feel regarding every service currently funded through the government education system to see how we have gotten here.
Hey Rachel, plenty of private clarinet teachers are waiting for your parent’s business. Instead of demanding the government use its force to take money from others on your behalf, why don’t you figure out a non-violent way to obtain your funding voluntarily from others.
Just A Teacher
March 30th, 2010
11:40 am
I think I’m in the filter again
Rob
March 30th, 2010
12:13 pm
@Typical…I agree with you in regards to the big picture of our tax money being wasted (especially mine since I no longer have kids in school) And yes, while most people who make any sort of fortune in math and science may not repay the school they attended, but I guarantee that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have given more money to school and college programs than the 3rd seat violinist in the London Symphony Orchestra has.
BandMOM
March 30th, 2010
12:20 pm
The time has come to get organized to SAVE the Band and Orchestra Programs in Fulton County!!
Please join us for a meeting TONIGHT, Tuesday March 30th, at 8:00pm at the Harp Irish Pub in Roswell . (follow the link below for directions)
The pub has donated the back room, just past the pool tables and through the double doors. They can accommodate dozens of people and they will serve food and beer should you desire. (the food and beer is not donated)
Please invite anybody who you think would like to get involved in trying to save our precious elementary band and orchestra programs, this is not an exclusive meeting! Even the media is welcome.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=&daddr=1425%2BMarket%2BBlvd%2C%2BRoswell%2C%2BGA%2B30076&hl=en
We will provide an “Action Plan” and talk strategy going forward!
Thank you very much for your help and we look forward to seeing you there!
David S
March 30th, 2010
12:26 pm
As anyone who has read my posts knows, I am an avid supporter of doing away with government funding and involvement in education. The reliance on “free” music education is just another example of why all of this should be taken out of the realm of politics and restored to the realm of the marketplace and individual choice.
In an attempt to help Rachel, I did a quick search and found two sites/organizations that raise funds voluntarily to help out music programs in schools. Certainly VH-1’s Save the Music comes to the minds of many, but as one would expect of people from the world of entertainment, every suggestion they make for saving your school’s music program involves using the force of govnernment to get more stolen money flowing your school’s way. Of course many of these musicians do actually crack open their own wallets and contribute, but given how much money each of them makes and if you actually believe their committment to music education, I have no doubt that a simple deferment of 1% of all of their incomes from record sales would easily pay for music education throughout the country with no tax money required. Good luck waiting for that to happen.
That being said, here are a couple of sites that maybe Rachel and her classmates could benefit from:
http://www.giarts.org/
http://www.rwandr.org/
And for the rest of you, here is an outstanding site where you can learn how the voluntary private sector approach to everything is superior to the involuntary compulsory government sector approach:
http://www.mises.org
BandMOM
March 30th, 2010
12:26 pm
The time has come to get organized!!
Please join us for a meeting next Tuesday March 30 at 8:00pm at the Harp Irish Pub in Roswell . (follow the link below for directions)
The pub has donated the back room, just past the pool tables and through the double doors. They can accommodate dozens of people and they will serve food and beer should you desire. (the food and beer is not donated)
Please invite anybody who you think would like to get involved in trying to save our precious elementary band and orchestra programs, this is not an exclusive meeting! Even the media is welcome.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=&daddr=1425%2BMarket%2BBlvd%2C%2BRoswell%2C%2BGA%2B30076&hl=en
We will provide an “Action Plan” and talk strategy going forward!
Thank you very much for your help and we look forward to seeing you there!
What is the purpose of schooling
March 30th, 2010
12:27 pm
What is “essential” seems to depend on what the purpose of schooling is. What is the purpose of schooling in GA?
David S
March 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
The purpose of schooling in a government system is determined by those who control the government apparatus. The more the control remains in the hands of the local government the more those outside of the government structure might be able to influence their decisions. The more the control moves away from the local level (NCLB for example and the federal Dept. of Education) the less influence those outside of the government circle will have.
The purpose of schooling in a privately run system of schools (including charity schools) is determined by the wonderful and varied interaction of the owners and the customers. They may not always be the same at every school, but in the end, the customer is always either satisfied or takes their business elsewhere.
David S
March 30th, 2010
12:42 pm
BandMOM – Just how much of your “Action Plan” will involve private voluntary fundraising and how much will involve convincing the forces of government to take from others on behalf of your children?
Do your children understand what the difference between voluntary contributions and forced government taxation is?
Typical
March 30th, 2010
12:54 pm
@ Rob. They also have more to give. I don’t recall seeing the 3rd seat violinist in the London Symphony Orchestra on Forbes’ List of Billionaires this go ’round. While Gates and Jobs have contributed, that’s a pretty small number of successful math/science people who have given back… and they certainly didn’t give back, immediately. Both men waited until they had there own interests secured before getting around to contributing. This is a pretty typical pattern for philanthropists; wait until later in life and then, after realizing you can’t take it with you, throw money back at the people to try to divert attention from the cut-throat manner in which you obtained your fortunes as you hope to change your legacy. Carnegie? Vanderbilt? Rockefeller?
And where are the Sports “Hero” millionaires (LOTS of them) with their paybacks for the educational systems in which they were forged? Forget it. You won’t get anything out of people whose montage is “Get Money, Get Money, Get Money”.
I think Just a Teacher nailed it. Prioritizing one subject over another is hooey. There is room for all subjects AND THEN SOME, if our “representatives” would get their priorities in line and stop wasting our money on self interests and “gifts” for those who can afford to contribute to keeping them in life-long “service”.
BandMOM
March 30th, 2010
12:54 pm
The time has come to get organized to save the Band and Orchestra Programs in Fulton County!!
Please join us for a meeting TONIGHT, Tuesday March 30th, at 8:00pm at the Harp Irish Pub in Roswell . (follow the link below for directions)
The pub has donated the back room, just past the pool tables and through the double doors. They can accommodate dozens of people and they will serve food and beer should you desire. (the food and beer is not donated)
Please invite anybody who you think would like to get involved in trying to save our precious elementary band and orchestra programs, this is not an exclusive meeting! Even the media is welcome.
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=&daddr=1425%2BMarket%2BBlvd%2C%2BRoswell%2C%2BGA%2B30076&hl=en
We will provide an “Action Plan” and talk strategy going forward!
BandMOM
March 30th, 2010
1:03 pm
Thanks ABC. Yes, there is a petition that you can sign if you want to save the Band and Orchestra in Fulton County:
http://www.petitiononline.com/sokm2010/petition.html
Rob
March 30th, 2010
1:04 pm
Instead of having a meeting at The Harp Pub (and giving them your money for food and beverages), have a meeting at someone’s house and figure out what everyone would have spent on food and drink at the Harp and use that money to fund the musical programs you are meeting and spending money at The Harp to save. Just an idea.
Used to be Disgusted
March 30th, 2010
1:28 pm
David S,
Are you really so dim-witted that you equate taxation with theft? Is there no such thing in your world as a common good?
No wonder education in Georgia is in the tank.
BTW, providing children a free education is part of the Georgia constitution.
Light is the great disinfectant, so please continue posting.
CA Civility
March 30th, 2010
1:30 pm
Respectively Responding to David S.
David S. said…And for the rest of you, here is an outstanding site where you can learn how the voluntary private sector approach to everything is superior to the involuntary compulsory government sector approach:..
There are numerous examples of the effective use of the public sector
and private sector working separately, and in conjunction with one
another. I’m sure you take advantage of the interstate highway system,
airport, and utilize other government services. The money you pay in
taxes is not being stolen from you-it is the cost of living in a state and
country that has invested a great deal in infrastructure over the years
that allowed businesses to expand,because of the development of
ports,highways etc. . Music is not more important than core sbjects
(yes-Parents can and do pay for lessons) ,but it is important to
creating positive skills of self discipline and appreciation of culture
as well as history. Private industry seeks public financial assistance on
many levels in business.
BandMOM
March 30th, 2010
2:04 pm
If you are a parent or student who wants to help, plese visit this Web Site:
http://www.saveourkidsmusic.org
Thank you Rachel!
Fulton County music teacher
March 30th, 2010
5:09 pm
For all you good folks who live in Fulton County, expect your property values to LOWER when Fulton is not one of the most coveted school districts on the eastern seaboard. The main reason we are (especially with regards to our higher test scores) is our wonderful music programs, which are seen to represent (to folks and corporations looking to relocate here) an indication of critical thinking from its citizenry and values which include culture and fine arts. Check out any relocation real estate blog site and you’ll notice elementary music! We want elementary music to stay!!!! Here’s the petition if you want to sign – http://www.petitiononline.com/sokm2010/petition.html
Tony
March 30th, 2010
8:01 pm
Music and art should be increased rather than cut in our schools. As some have already mentioned, there are huge academic connections to music. It is very sad to see our state leaders wring their hands as if there were nothing that could be done to make education the priority in our state budget that it should be. It is high time that you guys considered increasing the sales tax to make up the difference.
Keep sweeping!
March 30th, 2010
10:04 pm
Cut more of the big administration jobs! If you truly want your child educated your going to have to stop depending on the gov’t to fund everything for your child.
Just Saying...
March 31st, 2010
8:51 am
Students with musical backgrounds are usually stronger in math because you have to understand basic math to be able read how the notes should be sung or played. Music deals with fractions, multiples, beats, measures, harmonics, etc. In third grade I became a member of my elementary school chorus. Before I started to learn the tone of the notes, I had to learn how to read the music written on the sheet. I was taught the difference between a whole note/rest, half note/rest, quarter note/rest, eighth note/rest, etc. I was taught the number of notes/rest needed for each to make a whole note/rest. This music lesson helped me tremendously when learning fractions from my math teacher since I already had the basic understanding of fractions from my “MUSIC” teacher. Understanding measures helped with multiplication. Understanding harmonics helped when studying frequency. As a music student progresses though his/her academic career, new mathematical concepts are constantly introduced while basic math concepts are reinforced, music provides a fun medium to learn math.
NOT Medical care
March 31st, 2010
11:21 am
So many other things could be cut! Take your health issues to the doctor; hearing to an ENT, speech to a heath dept dealing with speech, physic problems to the physcologist. Not the dept of ed. we don’t need to fund these anymore with the Obama universal health care you can now go get these services done under your the universal heath system not dept of education paying for these specialist. These are the top paid jobs in the dept of ed expenses besides principal admin. Leave the teachers alone. Teaching is what education is about. The school system is for learning not health services. Music is a huge part of this.
David S
March 31st, 2010
12:17 pm
CA Civility, AND Used to be Disgusted – Are you so dim-witted to believe that taxes are not theft?? Just what is voluntary about them? If money is taken from you by force or threat of force, it is theft. Just because a government passes a law that it can hind behind does not diminish the immorality of the act. What if murder were legalized? That you feel there is some “common good” doesn’t change the nature of the relationship. If I choose to patronize a business, my exchange with them is completely voluntary. If they were to take my money against my will it would be theft, plain and simple. The fact that I have no other choice but to use a service provided by a government monopoly and have the money taken involuntarily from me to pay for that is definitely theft. The compensation I am supposed to be happy with doesn’t change that.
Yes, there are examples of private public partnerships, but I think you will find in every case that the risk is typically socialized while the profits are privatized. In other words, the citizens get screwed while the companies make a killing. If that sounds fine to you, then you pay for it. As for me, I prefer the free market where I have a choice.
As for the roads, the airports, and every other area of society where government has stepped in, kicked the private sector out, and established a monopoly that I have no choice over (well, that pretty much sums it all up). I object to all of that too, and there are literally hundreds of books and articles on the site I mentioned:
http://www.mises.org
that detail the history of government involvement in these things, the previous success of the private sector in providing these things, and how we could return to private ownership and operation without the government monopoly.
I understand your position. You feel you are getting a benefit and are happy to pay for it. You don’t actually have to pay what each service really costs because those costs are passed on mostly to your neighbors through their taxes or inflation of the currency (the hidden tax). You are also, I suspect, ignorant of how the private sector could deliver all of these services more efficiently and for less cost than the government monopoly and that scares you. That doesn’t make the idea of a fully private and free market provision of everything you listed any less valid. I have bothered to educate myself on these topics and know both from historical evidence and sound economic principles that my arguments are valid.
My point is now and has always been that every issue that is coming up over the politically-motivated cuts that are being proposed (whether to music, art, science, teachers, parapros, schools themselves, or whatever your favorite item may be) would go completely away if the private sector were providing educational services, either for money or as a charity, rather than the government.
The fact that education was written into the state constitution only means that it is time to amend the constitution. There are dozens of protections the US contitution was supposed to provide for the citizens that the Federal Government has ignored for decades without the courtesy of a constitutional amendment process. I am even willing to work within the change process, but the sooner it happens and government gets out of the education business, the sooner kids can start getting a good education and parents can start being treated with some respect.
Regardless of your opinions about music education, not everyone agrees or agrees that the schools should be providing the service. That is the point of private provision. Everyone can choose and nobody gets upset. Just good sound morality. No force, no harm.
Kenny G
March 31st, 2010
1:33 pm
In MY county, the band, orchestra, and chorus honchos kick all of the “discipline problems” out of their programs. No wonder the studies they reference are all skewed because they wind up “hand-picking” their students.
Music Ed Not Optional
March 31st, 2010
1:51 pm
As Fulton County prepares to cut instrumental music in our elementary schools, understand that the state now REQUIRES electives in the arts for High School graduation. We have many students in Fulton County who cannot afford private lessons – band or orchestra is all they have. Yes, I chose Fulton County in part because of the strength of the instrumental music program – from 4th to 12th grade.
The “funny” thing is that the budgetary savings will not be what the FCS Board projects. All those displaced students will have to go somewhere, and given that the instrumental music teachers have larger classes, that overflow will have to go to another classroom, which will then be overcrowded, requiring hiring another teacher… So why not just keep the music teachers?
BandMOM
March 31st, 2010
1:55 pm
All people in support of the Elementary Band and Orchestra Programs and beyond, please go to this Website and tell everyone you know to do the same. Spread the word!! We can all have different opinions. I can’t change yours and you can’t change mine. But if you support it……please go here:
http://www.saveourkidsmusic.org
Bob
March 31st, 2010
8:27 pm
WOW tht was really awesome Rachel!! Im glad someone in our school finally took a stand. I think tht Fulton County needs to like open their eyes and stop worrying about just money and think about their futures ,too
Ole Guy
April 1st, 2010
12:34 am
Good arguements, Dave…but, ya know, that’s life in these here United States. By relocating to, and/or choosing to remain in your county of residence, you have, in effect, “volunteered” to contribute to the common good. As with the common fees that go with condo living, you agree, by virtue of your choice of abode, to participate in “keeping the kitty” replenished.
Forgive me if I dare to recharacterize your point…I believe you are refering, not to the notion of taxation, but to how that pot of money is distributed on behalf of your fellow citizens. If I am anywhere near your intended target, than I believe your animosity should be directed toward those civic leaders, your legislators…who you have the power to hire, and the power to fire.
David S
April 1st, 2010
11:53 am
Hey Ole Guy, what the hell does a private contract to live in a condo (something of voluntary choice) have to do with some bs “social contract” that I neither signed nor agree to. The constitution was supposed to protect the minority from the majority, but it has failed miserably. When the rest of society has no respect for what is supposed to be the law of the land, they always say “if you don’t like it then leave” as if I am the problem. My rights are given by virtue of my existence. The majority does not have any authority to take those away by vote. Taking ones’ property or the fruits of his labor is tantamount to theft and slavery. You apparently aren’t “Ole” enough to remember this country before the ravages of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and every other federal program that strips us of our sustenance. Either that or you are in denial. I am not old enough, by I can read history and there was a time when we all functioned fine without screwing our fellow man just to prop up our favorite government program.
It is not a contract if I have never signed it. If you like socialism so much, why dont YOU leave this country and go where it is welcome?
Alyssa
April 13th, 2010
7:00 pm
oh my god! i know her! she goes to my school. this is very touching i love it!
Auzzy
April 18th, 2010
8:10 pm
I wish that I had joined the Fulton County music program when I was in elementary school. Unfortunately, I waited until this year to begin utilizing the fantastic education available to me. I recently realized that music makes me feel right in a way that nothing else can and I have decided to make music my life and my love. I have also opened myself to see and hear the talent expressed by my close friend, Rachel Smith, and others who have been in these classes since 3rd and 4th grade and, when I learned that Fulton County would now be taking away this oppertunity, I was speechless. How can adults who clearly don’t know what it means to have a passion for art decide for every child in the county that if you can’t afford private music lessons, you don’t deserve a head start in your musical career? My 10 year old sister just started taking clarinet in school, but we can’t afford to give her private music lessons on top of everything else. Will they ignore the fact that her, and other children’s, scores on state testing will be lower than the scores have ever been before? Will they ignore the decrease in artistic interest? And what of the talented minds who won’t realize their natural skill until they reach the 6th grade and they have plenty of other things to worry about? Will we completely miss the next Beethoven or Ray Charles because the government can’t supply the classes for us? Can we not spare enough money to pay maybe one teacher per five elementary schools so we can supply a basic understanding of the instruments that have changed the lives of millions? Since I began taking music lessons, music has been the only thing I care about. I eat, sleep, and breathe music and yet my grades have only raised, my conduct has greatly improved and my self esteem has never been better. I am begging Fulton County, no, I am begging America to please, just consider what Rachel and I have written. And consider what you may loose if you don’t correct your actions. Read this. Would I have spent my time pouring my soul out to the internet if I didn’t truly believe that this is important? Don’t ignore what is eating away ate our souls. And don’t regard us as stupid children. We know what is right and what is wrong and I have never heard of such a crime as to supress talent.