Reply to APS - Symphonic Band marching band requirement

Forum Index » VA Public Schools other than FCPS

Reply to "APS - Symphonic Band marching band requirement"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My high school had the same requirement, and it’s clear that the only reason it was mandatory was that If they had made it voluntary no one would have done it. People defending the policy need to ask themselves why, if marching band is such a valuable experience, it has to be a compulsory requirement attached to something only tangentially related. Kids taking AP English aren’t required to write for the school paper, and as others have said, you can take a theater class without having to be in the school play.

There’s only three questions here that matter: 1) what makes marching band such a uniquely valuable experience that it must be mandatory? 2) if it’s such a uniquely valuable experience, wouldn’t compulsion be unnecessary? 3) Do you think it makes the marching band better or worse to have it filled with people who don’t actually want to be there?[/quote]

If they didn't actually want to be there, marching bands would be all 9th graders and all of the older students would have quit rather than sign up again the next year and the next year and the next year.

But from the outside, it doesn't sound appealing so if it weren't required, people wouldn't sign up for it and wouldn't ever know that they wanted to do it.[/quote]

I think there's a lot of truth there. 
I know of many kids who had no real interest but they tried it one season (either by choice or by parental "force") and never stopped. It's not for everyone and, IME, those who really aren't into it ultimately quit at some point - whether to participate in some other sport, to be able to take another elective before they graduate, or because they just didn't want to do band. Similar to a lot of "crew" stories I hear....urged to give it a try and found their niche socially, and confidence and growth personally.

We are one of those "by force" families. Our middle schooler became very isolated and had no other extracurricular activity. Going into high school, they still had not chosen a group or activity to try; so we insisted on one season of marching band. They found a group of friends along with an activity they enjoy so much they are continuing it in college. [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics