Captain Sousie wrote:But seriously folks. I agree that sometimes students are started on instruments without enough, or any in some cases, preparation. On the other hand, there are string teachers who firmly believe that a student cannot learn an instrument if they are not started by the fourth grade. Some even go so far as to not allow a student to start an instrument in their program after fifth grade. I have met some of these people so I am not just making this up.
Sure, I believe you, particularly if the objective is to eventually produce a professional performer, particularly on strings.
But if all of the elementary, middle and high-school music programs were to disappear overnight and all of the universities were to shut down their performance programs, we'd still have enough instrumentalists to satisfy professional performance positions. You simply can't keep some folks from developing a love of musical performance. Those people will already have begun playing by the time they can hold a 1/4 sized instrument.
What you wouldn't have, though, is audiences for the performers.
So, is the point of public school musical education to develop an appreciation of music or to train students to become performers?
I realize that in some states (such as Texas), competition is a big deal and the objectives of the program may not necessarily have much to do with either.
