881 replies to this topic

[Cats4Hire]

I'm not sure how unique they are. I know them on Reynolds regularly traded first and second for competitions at parades. I have no experience with schools outside Spectrum or anyone to really ask that would know about band that was a recent graduate to check on any other school though. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Reynolds too.

[North Shore]

 

I've never really been a music (or any kind of arts) person but I agree I wish they'd quit cutting those programs. I really don't think my life is any better because I could do calculus for a year, never used it again, back to having no idea what I'd even do when looking at a calculus problem or because I spent a year watching low budget movies on medieval England. 

 Can't remember ever having to solve a quadratic equation, other than in Gr.10 math; last used geometry helping my son with his geometry homework...but I listen to music every day when I'm at the gym, or in the car, or puttering in the garage..

 

Spectrum is a bit unique in that it is known for its marching band program, I think?

Not sure that's the case, Mike?  Anecdotally, my son's happy place seems to be plinking away at the piano.  He had lessons when he was younger, in order to learn the basics, and now he's striking out on his own to learn pieces that we have the music for.  You still need music lessons to learn enough structure to make the noise that passes for pop music nowadays! 

 

 

There was an interesting article in ?The Globe and Mail? a few days back asking 'Is math the new Latin?'  One of the arguments put forth was that we would be better off learning advanced math (quadratics, calculus) when we actually need it rather as some arbitrary hurdle to clear on the way to a University entrance.  A *FAR* better use of math time would be learning about interest rates, credit cards, minimum payments, mortgages, financial literacy and the like - things that *all* of us use on a pretty much daily basis...

[Rob Randall]

^The argument for teaching hard math is that it expands and exercises the brain, the same argument that's used for teaching art and music--it gives you greater ability to tackle large abstract concepts. But factoring practicality is important, too. For me business math was very beneficial in high school but I was disappointed my brain could never crack algebra.

[North Shore]

Why not teach them chess instead?  Lateral thinking, big picture, tactics, strategy, geometric patterns.  Just as expansive, and a damn sight more social..

[Victoria Watcher]

just like basketball or chess club, can’t band be after school (still at school) for those that want to pursue it?

[Cats4Hire]

Sure but that still requires paying a band teacher. The only way the district would be saving money by cutting band is by getting rid of them. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Sure but that still requires paying a band teacher. The only way the district would be saving money by cutting band is by getting rid of them. 

 

the chess club liaison and the basketball coach is usually just pulled from the teacher ranks.  can't we do that with band?

[Cats4Hire]

the chess club liaison and the basketball coach is usually just pulled from the teacher ranks.  can't we do that with band?

are there random teachers at every school that can play to the level of being able to teach multiple different instruments? I guess you could have multiple teachers that specialize in each one but since the band needs to play all together I doubt that would work out. Also while I don't know for sure I doubt the basketball and chess teachers are giving up their time with no pay to teach kids (especially when they're about to lose the band block they normally spent marking and making tests) so while the math teacher also doing an hour of band after school would probably be less expensive than a dedicated band teacher I doubt having half the teaching staff in on band would be much cheaper. 

[Victoria Watcher]

i don't know.  i'm not sure it was important that my basketball teacher was an NBA prospect.

 

in the past yes the teachers did the extra sports or clubs after and before regular class hours.  i'm not sure if it went outside of their work-to-rule hours.  most days they left at 3pm which i'm sure was an hour or two short of their paid work day.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 May 2021 - 10:04 AM.

[Cats4Hire]

i don't know.  i'm not sure it was important that my basketball teacher was an NBA prospect.

 

 

and I don't think the band teacher needs to have sold out Madison Square Gardens. The basketball teacher still needs to have an understanding of the various rules and plays of basketball. Just like I wouldn't want a French teacher who can't fluently speak French I wouldn't want a band teacher who can play piano but can't read all 4 clefs to teach the students that need each one how they work or what finger positions you need for a C#.

[Victoria Watcher]

Kids across the U.S. have formed a coalition to demand in-person learning in school classrooms again. The main reason given for their demand is that they are sick and tired of explaining math to their parents every day. 

 

"How many times do we have to tell you," said one frustrated 10th grader, "math is more complicated now than it used to be. It used to be that you would get a question like '2+2' and would simply answer '4.' We don't do it that way anymore."

 

"Nowadays, we draw it out in a complicated chart, discuss all the possible answers and their sociological implications, do 12 jumping jacks facing the birthplace of George Floyd, call the white kid next to us a 'racist,' and then give a more creative and socially conscious answer, such as 'two-spirit unicorn baby.'"

 

https://babylonbee.c...o-their-parents

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 May 2021 - 10:36 AM.

[LJ]

Not sure that's the case, Mike?  Anecdotally, my son's happy place seems to be plinking away at the piano.  He had lessons when he was younger, in order to learn the basics, and now he's striking out on his own to learn pieces that we have the music for.  You still need music lessons to learn enough structure to make the noise that passes for pop music nowadays!

 

Not sheet music I hope.

[Midnightly]

Not sure the last time you saw a school band performance but drums are the only thing that and a garage band share in common. Sometimes they have one guitar but most are playing Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, various horns, Saxophone, etc.

 

I have no idea what the statistics are but when my sister graduated from Spectrum a couple years ago their band room was completely full and when it was sunny they'd practice outside to have more space. Sure Spectrum is a highschool and they're proposing cutting middle school programs but I also doubt there's a large amount of people starting band in grade 9.

 

I've never really been a music (or any kind of arts) person but I agree I wish they'd quit cutting those programs. I really don't think my life is any better because I could do calculus for a year, never used it again, back to having no idea what I'd even do when looking at a calculus problem or because I spent a year watching low budget movies on medieval England. 

 

when my daughter was in grade 6 she tried band, i think the stats from the band teacher was about 1 in 6 kids in the school have a connection to band (be it directly or indirectly) a number of grade 6's do end up dropping band (both my daughter and her friend did) but i did make it to the halloween concert at central and there were well over 100 kids in band in different grades and some in different types of bands (when you do get more experienced you can aim more classical or jazz...) Band is a HUGE thing for many schools and i don't think it should just be so easily put on the chopping block..

 

it's also my frustration is similar why do they keep attacking the arts, band, and music programs... when a elementary school music teacher no longer has a classroom to teach from (they have to use a trolly to push what few instruments they can from class to class) something is wrong

 

I remember fighting this same battle 20 years ago back when i was in highschool when they tried to take music programs away due to budget cuts... band was a large part of the school even then (the school put on one decent budget musical every year that nearly the whole school was involved in.. and it was all the arts from stage craft, to make up, the sewing classes made the costumes, the actors practiced until late every evening, and the band played the music for the 2 hour show).. the arts are important in schools

[Mike K.]

That brings back memories.

[todd]

I always liked stage craft class we mostly played poker inside the old sets while the drama teacher did his own stuff still got the credits at the end of the year. Sometimes would actually work.

Edited by todd, 20 May 2021 - 09:52 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

it's also my frustration is similar why do they keep attacking the arts, band, and music programs... when a elementary school music teacher no longer has a classroom to teach from (they have to use a trolly to push what few instruments they can from class to class) something is wrong

 

 

 

that is why it's "easy" to cut.  this is an "extra" teacher.  

[todd]

I remember one time in music elementary school class I broke the xylophone didn’t tell anyone got caught big trouble.

[Victoria Watcher]

Remains of 215 children found buried at former B.C. residential school, First Nation says

 

https://www.cbc.ca/n...chool-1.6043778

 

Preliminary findings from a survey of the grounds at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School have uncovered the remains of 215 children buried at the site, the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation said Thursday.

 

The First Nation said the remains were confirmed last weekend near the city of Kamloops, in B.C.'s southern Interior. 

 

In a statement, Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc said they hired a specialist in ground-penetrating radar to carry out the work, and that their language and culture department oversaw the project to ensure it was done in a culturally appropriate and respectful way. The release did not specify the company or individual involved, or how the work was completed. 

 

 

 

 

 

i suspect that this story will not stand up to proper scrutiny.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 May 2021 - 11:37 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Reaction to the discovery of remains on the site of a former B.C. residential school

 

The remains of 215 children have been discovered at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C. Here is some of the reaction to what was found:

 

https://www.timescol...hool-1.24324361

 

 

 

 

notwithstanding that no remains have actually been found.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 May 2021 - 02:31 PM.