Fine Arts and American Public Schools
Recently, I happened to have conversations with several parents about why Pike
Valley and other small town school don't offer orchestra as a performance
class. The simple answer is size. Orchestras are the classical music
performance vehicle and are best served in a 4A or larger school. Not because
hundreds of members are necessarily required to perform, but because schools
that offer orchestra also offer band. American public schools just don't want
to be without their school bands. Not many people would notice if orchestra
was dropped from the curriculum at any given high school - only the parents of
participating students. Ever been to a high school football game without
a band? Rather a lackluster affair, eh? School bands are in the excitement
business. That's what we do a ball games and parades and even our
concerts. Orchestras are not nearly so versatile. To start, they can't
march!
I wrote a paper in college about how American schools ought to give top
musical priority to the orchestra and secondary emphasis to jazz performance.
I reasoned that our educational purpose was best served by introducing
students to the classical side of music and to study of the only American art
form - jazz. Well, I've learned a thing or two in the last twenty-five years,
when I wrote that paper. I even had the chance to teach jazz classes at junior
high, high school and college level. Take it from me, youngsters can't begin
to play jazz until they have a very solid foundation on their instruments. I'm
talking about scales and music theory and advanced technique. (That's speed
and accuracy in performance.) And as for the orchestra, they don't do well
outdoors and can't march. So, we're left with band sort-of by default as not
so much band wins but jazz and orchestra loose.
Is this the best system for our students' education? All things considered,
yes, I believe it is. I certainly thought differently twenty-five years ago.