[Dixielandjazz] Re: School Band Directors

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

Both of you guys are correct and raise very valid arguments for both sides of 
this problem, which returns me to my previous comments on Pat's post about 
cleaning up the educational System.

Perhaps we should take the music program out of the schools and put it back 
in the Clubs where it belongs :))   and or private schools or programs where 
only the serious students would attend and make the system much more efficient 
and train and teach those who are truly interested in music as a profession 
with a future.   This is music guys, not Milk that "EVERY BODY NEEDS" 

Going into and being accepted into a music class because you want to meet 
girls or boys is not a valid reason to allow it to happen, I am sorry but every 
kid is not a musician candidate, but int he current school system every kid 
whose but they can get into a seat in a classroom everyday before the bell rings 
and roll is called means Federal & State contributed Dollars to the school 
administration system, which pays all the salaries of the administration folks 
who keep demanding more more more from the teachers who always claim to be 
underpaid.

Well, I spent today doing the tax returns for one of my sidemen, ( remember 
music is supposed to make us better at MATH) needless to say it does not work 
on everyone.  He can't do the math to figure out his tax returns for the past 
three years.:))   But he does play a mean AXE.  And is a wonderful role model 
for the Black kids he teaches in his school system and a really good friend and 
sideman I am always proud of, formerly from Grambling University Marching 
band and a former Policeman.

This young man makes $62,500.00 a year from teaching 20 hours a week, with 
two months of vacation every summer which he spends touring with me.  Makes 
another $7000.00 a year playing for his church.  He also makes about $3,000.00 
more doing weekend gigs with a guy who shall remain unnamed who is a Music 
Professor at a well known College near here, who runs his gigs through a program at 
the University. 

I have not yet gotten the full picture on this little scam, but I can assure 
you it is just that a scam to rip off the School and the taxpayers, because 
they are definitely not performing anywhere near or even in connection with the 
College from whence the Checks are coming.

Just more rambling thoughts to ponder in the discussion for a better way top 
solve a very complex problem in our society.  At least on this list we are 
thinking about it and some of us might go away with ideas to improve it if not 
fix it one day.

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins