[Dixielandjazz] "Can you give me any hope?"

[l.swain at comcast.net]

On the subject of the non-teaching of music in public elementary schools today: 

We had a music teacher and an art teacher who came once a week, and I found it very interesting and enjoyable. 

I have never forgotten the physical thrill I experienced when the music teacher had us sing a round, that had words that went something like "Tell your mother, tell your father, tell your cook, old Steffan's Jersey cow has jumped the brook." When we went through it the second time, with half the class re-starting the tune after the other half sang the first 4 bars, and the class heard itself singing harmony for likely the first time in their lives, I felt a physical chill of excitement. 

Since my piano lessons starting at the age of 10 with a teacher who a) came to our home to deliver the weekly lesson (Dad had the car), b) charged $1.25/hr lesson, and c) had played piano in silent-movie theaters, and taught me how to play from lead sheets in the style he had used, I have played, and continue to, as a backup pianner player in local-area Dixieland combos, and am never happier than when I see people enjoying our stuff. The lessons started in 1946. 

I lament the lack of teaching music in public schools today. Most kids today are told that the atonal noise I must endure when grocery shopping is what "music" is. What a terrible shame! 

Larry Swain