Keep music disciplines separate

I have become aware of and increasingly alarmed by a trend that is developing in our public schools. I am speaking of the marginalization of choir programs at the middle- and high-school levels.

I also am aware of the considerable financial strain on all our school systems in these rather dire economic times. And I can understand the seemingly obvious solution to financially strapped schools looking to cut costs anywhere they can. This solution has the band/orchestra directors taking on the responsibilities of directing the choral program as well. Why not — they have a music degree, right?

How can I adequately explain how wrong-headed this idea is? It is as though, needing a heart surgeon, a hospital said, “Let’s use Dr. Bill, the orthopedic surgeon. He’s been to medical school, right?” And Dr. Bill would give it his best shot, but who would want to be on that table?

What you will end up doing is probably what would happen to Dr. Bill’s heart patient: You will kill the program, or it will never get off the ground to start with. It may limp along; there may be a little group that sings every so often — but there will not be a thriving, energetic program that can engage a large percentage of the students.

What you want a professional choir teacher to do is to build a program, with multiple choirs for various voice groupings and skill levels. You want the school to be alive with singing. You also want a vigorous instrumental program, again with multiple ensembles and opportunities. In the best of all school worlds, a student will be able to do both activities throughout the academic year.

The directors, though, must be able to throw their energies into their area of expertise, whether vocal or instrumental. Combining the two will fatally injure one or the other program. The disciplines are too different, as are the technical knowledge required, the knowledge of repertoire spanning a broad range of skill sets, the running of rehearsals, even the personalities required of the directors.

To those making the decisions: Please find some other way to address the problems of money and scheduling that won’t result in cutting the legs out from under our school choral programs.

Please make a commitment to growing powerful, thriving choral programs in each one of our schools. There are few things that would be of great-er long-term benefit to our children, and through them, to our entire community.

Judith Gary
Albemarle County