We’re losing students to other instruments. I see so many students get to
“appropriate voice lesson age” (as referenced in my last blog) and already
have their instrument of choice. Many people start taking violin, piano,
guitar, etc. at a younger age… I mean, just think of all the kids in Suzuki!
Countless kids really want some kind of private music instruction and we are
literally turning them away.
At my school, kids have to make a choice in 6th grade… Band, Choir,
Orchestra, or Gym? If the student has been taking private violin lessons for
3 years, of course he is more than likely going to choose Orchestra as his
elective for that year.
Occasionally, those students will come to me for 7th and 8th grade, when
they have more options. They will know how to read music but will be
lacking the vocal tone production training they would have received from me
the previous year.
I don’t know a single vocal music program out there that can afford
musically talented boys and girls to opt out of choir simply because violin
was offered to them first.
Why can’t we own teaching young students as much as the rest of the music
world?
Of course, I am in no way arguing that any of the other options are bad. I
actually got this idea from a friend who teaches orchestra. I just would love
to see vocal music educators level the playing field. I’m joining the club.
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