TAHS Band Program

[banksy]

I think there are many ways for school districts to cut expenses without cutting program.

Well, let's hear one.

[Harlow]

That is an easy one.

They just hired a new Asst. Superintendent last night and I would bet the cost is close to 100K per year.

The administration has grown over the years and the student population has decreased.

We have a new 10 million middle school for a "population boom" when it was proposed and now again the student numbers are dwindling.

It isn't the position that should be eliminated, it should be the class structure that needs adjusted.

Most of the teachers in the Tyrone School District are under 10 years of service, so it isn't a huge teacher salary structure that knocks things down.

[other_b_boy]

I just came across this thread this evening and found it very disturbing.

I was part of the choral tradition at Tyrone in the mid-80's. I sang for Cathy in Junior High and then Georgia and then Cathy again. As band manager for a few years I loaded up Harlow's tris more times than I care to remember. I thankfully managed to live through a few harrowing trips back from competitions with Gerry behind the wheel of the van.

One of the things I remember most about the experience was the sense of community fostered by the music programs in Tyrone. When the band returned victorious from a competition it was the whole town that was proud. They usually knew when we won because we'd wake up everybody as the buses rolled through! I remember inviting alums on the stage at the spring concert to help sing Candle on the Water- that was the song, right?

I am now a teacher in another state and know first hand the effect of the pressures facing public education. I'm sorry to see the course that the TAHS district is taking in response. To think that future Tyrone students may be deprived of these experiences saddens me.

[submarinerswife]

Banksy I can tell you one way make changes to the teachers contracts! I work in a school district and there is a lot that can be changed to make a difference. Did we sit in class with air conditioning? No open the windows just we did. Take the sports program to a pay to play. Theres a few!

[Speedo]

The administration has grown over the years and the student population has decreased.

We have a new 10 million middle school for a "population boom" when it was proposed and now again the student numbers are dwindling.

I'm glad someone else noticed that. That bothered me, a lot.

After the board meeting, a few band students hung around for a few minutes to talk about what happened, and that was one thing that came up. I don't understand how we are supposed to be having this population growth one minute, but a dwindling one the next. I get the feeling it's just an excuse. Maybe that's just me.

I thought everyone who spoke in favor of the music programs at the meeting did an excellent job. I think the sentence that stuck out most to me was, "It helped me come out of my shell". Out of anything that was said at the meeting, this is what I could relate to the most.

I have tons to say, but also tons of homework, so I'll have to get on that later.

Thank you all for the support. =)

Christina

[banksy]

Banksy I can tell you one way make changes to the teachers contracts! I work in a school district and there is a lot that can be changed to make a difference. Did we sit in class with air conditioning? No open the windows just we did. Take the sports program to a pay to play. Theres a few!

Sports: Football, Wrestling and Basketball combines most likely funds all the others sports. Why should sports be pay to play and not band? Why not make them all pay to play?

Teacher Contracts: Are you suggesting they take a pay cut?

Air Conditioning: I disagree. I bet you walked uphill both ways to school as well.

There most likely are more answers, I just don't think you know them. Harlow's suggestions are where its at.

[Harlow]

Who would have ever thought that I would be the voice of reason?

[djbigdawg1]

Go figure on that one John!........the voice of reasoning!

Since football, basketball and wrestling are the only sports that charge an entrance fee to watch, they do in part fund most sports (or the balance sheets) of the other sports. Since their is no "stadiums" for the softball or baseball teams to charge fees and the track is included too, it is hard to charge the fan base a fee to watch and suppport the Tyrone sports programs. BUT, the band and chorus charge their fan base to come watch them perform. I guess that blows the theory that they ride the main 3 sports on the budget plan.

The band has had a booster club for many years to help with costs for the program. Sometimes its not much but these bake sales, ham and cheese and mariannas hoagies sales did do the trick in helping costs. Any one out there remember the good ol' BAND FAIR?!?!?!

The school disttrict just hired an assistant principal after the fact that they produced numbers that showed a dwindling enrollment with the students. If Dr Miller cannot handle the work load of running the school district after all these years, then get out and hire someone that CAN without the added help and budget constraints on the system. Maybe it should be looked into about consolidating classes and NOT touch the wage scales of these hard working teachers.

There is answers out there, it is just going to take some thinking into this. When you eliminate or limit the programs like band and chorus, are you not taking away the students rights to broaden their horizens.....other than learning to say "wheres the bathroom" in spanish?? Education and learning is all well and good, but to just stay the course of reading writing and arithmatic AND nothing esle is wrong also.

[banksy]

...we convinced someone to open a new school just a few blocks down.

[Harlow]

Terry,

In the place where we used to have band practice during the school day is a brand new $10 million addition that is the "Middle School".

Three or four years ago Dr. Miller said we are expecting a population boom so we had to build a brand new addition. Now the population boom isn't happening and soon, Bellwood will graduate more than Tyrone.

[BHartsock]

In response to the several comments above.... don't forget that the extracurricular activities such as Football, Marching Band, Wrestling, etc... are not on the butchers block.... the activities and their funding have no bearing on the current situation...

The only district funded parts of these organizations are things like uniforms and such...



n a good note... I was the DJ fort the Tyrone Band Banquet tonight.... lots of great recognitions and awards were bestowed to the graduating seniors. Dr. Miller was in attendance but no board members. He joined Tom Verzella, Aaron Patterson and myself at the head table.

-Bill Hartsock (Jr.)

[banksy]

I don't know enough about the middle school to know if in the long run it pays for itself by eliminating the upkeep of the elementary schools. Is K-6 in middle school or just 6-8, 6-9? Where do Tyrone students go to elementary school?

[Speedo]

n a good note... I was the DJ fort the Tyrone Band Banquet tonight.... lots of great recognitions and awards were bestowed to the graduating seniors. Dr. Miller was in attendance but no board members. He joined Tom Verzella, Aaron Patterson and myself at the head table.

-Bill Hartsock (Jr.)

Thanks for being the DJ, I swear you were the best one out of any of the dances I went to, haha.

Just curious...how long after a teacher announces they are resigning should it take for an ad to go out for another teacher to replace them?

Maybe I'm just rushing, but I thought there'd be an ad for a new band director by now. Or is there one out there already? Maybe I'm just missing things.

Christina B.

[rjgherrity]

An ad has been posted for the postition, i think it was either yesterday or today that i heard that. I don't know all the details on the position but im sure one could find it if they searched.

[Tyrone Pride]

I have watched the band program dwindle away since 1991. Gerry Roberts retired the year I graduated. It was in the day when the band got the escorts through town with the fire trucks and the community support. We also had one heck of a trophy case. Our varsity football team didnt win many games in my high school days. I hate seeing any thing be cut from the budget. My band days we some of the best days in my life. From those foggy humid mornings at Band Camp untill the days at the final football games and the championship band competitions with snow covering the field. It took a lot of time and dedication from the students, staff and the band members families. We had pride and a scandal in the years following my graduation seemed to sign the fate of the once 170+ member marching band. Just when I thought that all hope was lost Gerry came out of retirement. There was a sense of organization and pride again. There would be some building years needed but they were on the right track. Then one of the saddest days in my life. The day I learned of Gerry's passing. He was a great friend and a mentor for myself and many many "kids" before and after me. GOD BLESS YOU GERRY.
Even though this sad day had come, there was hope. A former band member of mine had been picked to direct the band and return them to the greatness of the past. Mr. Laird would know what it takes to rebuild the band and how to get back on track. He was met with some challenges and things just never seemed to pick up. After Chris had left I never got to know the new band directors since him. It was soo hard to listen to the Star Spangled Banner in the last few years. They didn't play "our version" and you could hardly hear them. It was sad. I know the kids try. I am not putting them down. There just isn't the support there or the popularity that there once was.

I hope that who ever takes the helm for the upcoming year has an idea what once was in Tyrone. I loved the music program at TAHS and in the elemntary schools. I started in elementary band. I continued into high school in band, POPS extention, and county chorus. If the kids do not get the chances we had I don't know how they will ever get to know the joy of being in the TAHS Band or music Dept. I know I rambled a bit and typed this fast.( sorry for errors) I just hope that these great programs do not get the axe.
GREG ROBERTS...PLEASE COME TO TYRONE AND BUILD US A GREAT BAND!!! YOU HAVE DONE GREAT WITH BELLWOOD!
Has anybody given thought to an alumni band??? Not a bad idea.