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A parade without a band isn’t a parade
Published Thursday, June 12, 2008
What’s a parade without a band?
This is exactly what we will be facing here in Fergus Falls if the funds are not raised to reinstate a band instructor for District 544.
Think about it — you may be watching the Fergus Falls band march in the Summerfest parade Saturday for the last time, if the funds are not raised.
What will the Summerfest committee do? Who will begin the parade carrying the American flag in 2009, if we do not have our own band out there? Will they call Alexandria, Moorhead, Morris or St. Cloud to come lead our parade?
Remember there are more than 400 students learning an instrument. This can be a life-long hobby that can be enjoyed forever. Do we want to keep our students from learning another one of the arts? I don't think so.
Let's all dig a little deeper in those needed "gas dollar" pockets and support our kids.
The Band Boosters address is: P.O. Box 115, Fergus Falls, MN 56538.
V.J. Block - Fergus Falls
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by drknow (anonymous) on June 13, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not see how the loss of 1 teaching position can eliminate the Marching Band. There are still at least 7 qualified music teachers at the schools. IF they wanted to keep the marching band, one of them could easily step up and take over or even a qualified community member. Isn't marching band a extra curricular activity? If that is the case, I don't think it needs to have a licensed teacher as the director.
I do agree that the loss of teachers in Fergus is awful, but it is a reality. Teachers seem to have been cut every year for the last 5 years at least. All areas have been cut except music so it is only fair that they finally get cut a little. I also agree that the loss of the Marching Band would be bad, but this is one place that the community can step up and not put the burden on an already strapped school district.
Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on June 13, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
drknow--
If the marching band program is anything like it was when I went to good ol' FFHS, it's NOT extracurricular. If you're in band, you WILL play in concerts, you WILL play in contests, you WILL play in the pep band at games, and you WILL march in parades. They're all part of your participation grade, and they all need to be conducted (pun intended) by a licensed/certified music teacher.
That's an awful lot of time and responsibility that has to be divided up by music department staff. If you cut one of those teachers, there simply aren't enough hours in the day for the remaining staff members to absorb all that work. The marching band is the easiest component to cut. It's just that simple.
Posted by concerned08 (anonymous) on June 13, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Drknow-
I think it should also be pointed out to you that the music department has taken cuts over the last few years. Don't be misleading with your comments. I'd also be curious as to who is this community might be qualified to direct marching band. Any thoughts?
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on June 14, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pep and marching band are not required as part of a student's band grade. They are extras. As was pointed out though because one position was cut does not automatically mean the marching band, pep band, etc will not continue. There are staff members that could direct those activities. Off to enjoy the marching band. Please support their efforts!
Posted by ANonnyMoose (anonymous) on June 15, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the clarification, TKay!
Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on June 15, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It really stinks if we lose our Marching Band. I think the school board "really" should consider the re-hiring of this position. But then again--it's not sports--but what are the sports without a BAND?
Posted by vito (anonymous) on June 16, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a member of the FFHS Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Pepband, and Jazz 1, I know that you do not get graded on participating in any band other then the Wind Ensemble. However, the only way to letter in band is to participate in all of the above except the Jazz 1. And the way I see it, the more you letter, the more scholarship money you might get for college. Plus, just being in these bands are just fun.
Posted by hiqtpi (anonymous) on June 17, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
congrats to the fergus falls marching band this year! you were wonderful! it is pretty sad that there aren't more bands to enjoy. just to have the constant flow of music is what makes it exciting for me. having candy and t-shirts and bouncing balls thrown at me isn't real exciting. i was dissapointed to see that the drumline from fargo did not make it to the rescheduled parade;understandable, but i was looking forward to seeing something new. we NEED more bands to participate in our parades. and how pathetic would it be if we could not enjoy our own band; representing OUR city in our own parade? we need to take care of and support our kids, our schools and everything that comes along with them regardless of whether its "extracurricular" or not. our kids cannot continue to flourish in these areas without good teachers. and we have EXCELLENT music teachers! personally i think that golfers should be able to fend for themselves. though i do agree that the community as a whole is lacking a little as far as shopping and activities and entertainment.....but remember that our children ARE OUR future and we definately need to prioritize a little better.
Posted by hiqtpi (anonymous) on June 17, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
congrats to the fergus falls marching band this year! you were wonderful! it is pretty sad that there aren't more bands to enjoy. just to have the constant flow of music is what makes it exciting for me. having candy and t-shirts and bouncing balls thrown at me isn't real exciting. i was dissapointed to see that the drumline from fargo did not make it to the rescheduled parade;understandable, but i was looking forward to seeing something new. we NEED more bands to participate in our parades. and how pathetic would it be if we could not enjoy our own band; representing OUR city in our own parare? we need to take care of and support our kids, our schools and everything that comes along with them regardless of whether its "extracurricular" or not. our kids cannot continue to flourish in these areas without good teachers. and we have EXCELLENT music teachers! personally i think that golfers should be able to fend for themselves. though i do agree that the community as a whole is lacking a little as far as shopping and activities and entertainment.....but remember that our children ARE OUR future
Posted by concerned08 (anonymous) on June 18, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Something has been bothering me about drknow's statement. He/she commented that there are "at least 7 qualified music teachers at the schools." Who are these 7 teachers and what makes them qualified to teach something like marching band? Does qualification come from being a music teacher? To me someone that teaches 1st grade music might not be "qualified" to marching band? Am I right?
Posted by drknow (anonymous) on June 23, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As vito pointed out, "the only way to letter in band is to participate in all of the above" and that neither Marching band nor Pep Band appear in the registration info for classes to register for (as posted on High School website), implies they are extra curicullar which should not be effected by a teaching staff cut. Also, this means that they do not have to be a teacher to direct the bands as they are more like a sport than a class. I believe the high school has several cases where the head coach is not a teacher.
Once again, if the community wants to keep Marching Band and Pep Band, have community members step up and take them over. Do not put the extra burden on an already tapped out school district.
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