General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI sent an appreciative email this evening to a high school choir director. Why?
I have a freshman and a junior in high school who are in the same chorus class. Two thirds of my sons. The eldest is in one of the glee clubs at FSU (sanctuary campus!). I do boys and musicians really really well apparently.
My youngest returned home from band sectional rehearsals (that musician thing) this evening and told me his choir director spent time in class today lecturing on kindness, compassion, and racism. The events in Charlottesville have moved him like they have moved all of us.
He's a public school teacher in a district that skewed Trump. In a depressingly appallingly way if digi-scan results are to be trusted.
It may seem like such a little thing, but in my opinion this took courage. He had no way of knowing how many idiotic Trump supporting offspring were sitting in that class. We all know that racism is far more a moral issue than a political one, but that won't stop pissed off parents from complaining about him if they take exception to this.
I am so grateful my children are in the care of such a person, even if just 45 minutes a day.
We all have to speak up in whatever capacity we are able to fight this evil. This high school choir director did just that. Thank you!
Lindsay
(3,276 posts)I'm guessing people tend to be subject to a lot more complaints than complements, so your positive reinforcement is double plus good.
mcar
(42,373 posts)So glad this kind of teaching still happens here. Band kept my youngest in HS.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,654 posts)principals who massively support the arts. People can say whatever they want about Florida, but music programs in schools do still seem to be cherished throughout our state.
Blue Owl
(50,498 posts)Pacifist Patriot
(24,654 posts)(insert jazz trombonist smilie here in honor of my baby)
CurtEastPoint
(18,663 posts)Ilsa
(61,698 posts)is at the heart of a lot of choir music that was formerly African American spiritual or folk music. It survives today not just in performances, but hymnals, rearrangements, etc. It can soften the hardest of hearts and stir the senses. It is a gift this nation does not deserve.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,654 posts)My mom was a music major in college and a church choir director for a time. I have sung in choirs my entire life and am so thrilled all three of my boys inherited her talent (skipped me darnit!). My youngest is an unbelievably talented musician. Already playing trombone in a jazz club at fourteen. I surely couldn't have done that and not just because I don't play trombone.
Pretty much every choral concert I have seen my children participate in has included at least one spiritual. I love that!
defacto7
(13,485 posts)TrogL
(32,822 posts)Principals and school boards tend to be authoritarian
Pacifist Patriot
(24,654 posts)from the administration. If he experiences any blow back from this, I will totally have his back and raise a fuss that would put anyone who opposed his decision to shame.
Bettie
(16,126 posts)I'm a band/choir mom too.
I've got a Junior Tenor Sax boy and a Sophomore Trombone boy.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,654 posts)"...I felt I needed to say something
.these are difficult times, and our kids are watching how we as adults carry ourselves and our reactions
."
ABSOLUTELY!!
Bettie
(16,126 posts)Frankly, neo or any kind of Nazis shouldn't be a partisan thing! We should ALL be against that.