Reply to APS - Symphonic Band marching band requirement

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Your kid can't do everything, OP. She had to pick one. Orchestra or band. Marching band directors need every single student to participate. If the director starts excusing one student for reasons, then he or she has to start excusing other students for their reasons, and the marching band dwindles to nothing.

If your kid wants to do orchestra, then do that but don't try to change the rules that apply to everyone in the band for good reasons.[/quote]

Op here I was just asking to find out if there was special flexibility given for documented other music commitments. Sounds like probably not and DC was lukewarm on doing band at school anyway since she strongly prefers playing with an orchestra so she will just stick to that. No big deal.[/quote]

Do you mean only participating in the regional youth orchestra? Because ours actually requires that students be participating in a school performance group as well. I assume it’s an agreement with the MMEA to prevent the youth orchestra from cannibalizing the school music programs.

So check the fine print on her orchestra before you make a decision![/quote]

This is true of all of the local youth orchestras that I know of.  They can make exceptions but not for "don't want to".  You are correct that it is to protect school music programs - and it also benefits young musicians who benefit from the various music experiences.[/quote]

This youth orchestra meets on Saturday, which is why it isn't possible for DC to be in marching band. Separately, she asked for permission to miss a week of orchestra for district band and they asked her to skip district band in favor of the orchestra ([b]which she did[/b]). [/quote]

She made the wrong choice.  Seriously.  District Band is a fun intense few days and is a great way to grow musically.  Missing one rehearsal is not the end of the world.  Kids get sick, families travel, etc.  It happens.  If she chooses not to do band in school, then she has missed her opportunity for District Band.  How disappointing.

Re Saturdays and marching band - she could probably find some flexibility from both groups if she needed it.  But her teacher and the youth orchestra have put in some strange, detrimental requirements.  So it's hard to give you real advice, given that.  [/quote]

Sounds to me that OP's daughter's passion is the extracurricular orchestra and she's absolutely fine with not doing high school band. According to OP, it's not that big of a deal.

Personally, I think one of the biggest obstacles to marching band is parents. Parents who don't like the amount of time it takes during the summer; who complain when their kid isn't in the car one minute after scheduled rehearsal time; who don't like the all-day events; and who don't see the purpose of all that time or the value. Meanwhile, same parents don't seem to have any issues with sports rehearsals or games.[/quote]

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