PERSPECTIVE
WHY BAND? WHY NOW? AN OPEN LETTER TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS
T
BY BRAD ROGERS
his is an example of a letter that with some judicious editing to match your individual situation could be sent to parents, students, and other interested parties as we all try to find a way forward from the negative impact of the pandemic and resulting restrictions. It is my hope you can use something from it as a starting point for the encouragement of those connected to your individual programs already, and those making the decision to begin their musical journey. Dear (parent, student, etc.): I’m admittedly a little biased, but I have come to believe that the study and performance of music may be the most important thing a student can do in school. Music and its elements can be found in and connected to every other academic discipline. Performing music has long been known to be one of the most brainintensive activities a human can do, developing cognitive, creative and motor skills simultaneously. The collaborative music-making that is the very heart and soul of a band experience develops valuable skills that translate into any adult endeavor—persistence, collaboration, empathy, high standards, etc. You’re reading this because you have made a conscious choice to become involved in actual
WI NT ER 2022
music-making already. This is only one of the many factors that differentiates performance-based music from the so-called “core” or required subjects studied in our educational system. Fortunately, this choice draws many bright young people just like you to our music classrooms. By any measure—academic, social, or talent potential—music kids are among the best students in any school. Band directors know that students under their tutelage have made a conscious decision to be in their classroom rather than elsewhere. The COVID-induced problems affecting all aspects of our daily lives have been magnified in the band room. This is because the ensemble experience is about collaboration, teamwork, and common goals and achievements. It represents the biggest group projects in our school, and it relies upon everyone doing their part well for the group to succeed. For almost two years, restrictions, awkward scheduling, virtual “learning options”, and more than a little well-intentioned contradiction from school decision-makers have conspired to make a normal ensemble experience impossible. It won’t always be like this! It wasn’t B.C. (Before COVID).
Brad Rogers was the director of bands at Oldham County High School in Buckner, Kentucky, since 1989, recently retiring after a total of 42 years in music education. He can be reached at ocband1@twc.com. Feel free to contact him.
You can’t really learn to play the trombone on a Chromebook. You can’t replicate a concert or a rehearsal in a Google Meet. I know. I’ve tried, and so have you. The bottom line is that we need each other together if the band thing is going to work and be interesting enough to want to keep doing it. Learning an instrument is a long-term project. I’ve been playing for many years on my primary instrument and still learn new things every time I put it together. While conducting and teaching has been my job, I’d still much rather be playing my instrument—especially when there are others to play along with. I believe that most band students would agree. No one can go back and make up for what we have not been able to do since March 2020, but Continued on next page
55
