Posted by ken k on June 22, 2000 at 21:43:31:
In Reply to: how long will band music survive? posted by tubagoo on June 21, 2000 at 21:46:30:
My question or "fear" is, "When will a band program in a public school no longer seem like a relevant expence to John Q. Public?" How much longer can we justify teaching Johnny Trumpet,Tuba, clarinet, etc. when in the real world no one listens to that kind of muisc anymore? Would it be more efficient or effective to teach music to students using guitars or keyboards rather than the "traditional" band instruments? It is a depressing thought to realize the main reason the public sees for justifying a band program is football game halftime shows. (But look at TV. They never show the bands at halftime anymore, instead they have huge multimillion dollar extravaganzas.
I ask these questions because I teach young students band instruments. Is it relavent? I think so, but does the public?
ken k