Posts by Raymond Wright4

wanderinggardener12 said:I find myself wondering what people’s actual experiences have been with a functional music school? How does the curriculum actually unfold on a day-to-day basis? For a child in those first three or four grades, how many hours a week are we really looking at? What are the genuine advantages of choosing this type of institution, and just how much flexibility can one expect when it comes to scheduling?
The reality is, we live 12 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and since she attends elementary school here, the area around Washington, D.C. is quite manageable for music lessons—provided we aren't stuck waiting months for an opening. Does anyone have specific piano instructors they would recommend?

Our secondary option would be the Berklee College of Music over in Newport. Little Carmen mentioned she has her heart set on the piano. What is the reputation of the piano faculty there? We assume everyone is highly skilled, of course, but what we truly need is someone spirited—someone capable of building a genuine rapport with a child so she doesn't feel constant pressure.

Any other suggestions regarding piano studies and the early grade levels would be more than welcome. Ultimately, our goal is for her to play and to actually enjoy it. I have no grand ambitions for her to become a professional musician; once she’s older, I’ll let her decide for herself, and she can show me if that's the path she wants to take. I certainly wouldn't want music to become a source of stress or a heavy burden that eventually drives her to quit altogether.

Before you start asking a mountain of heavy questions, how about the child passes preparatory ear training first? Only after that comes the audition and the possibility of enrolling in the desired instrument, though keep in mind that piano is a highly sought-after option and the competition is fierce. It only makes sense to think about the next steps after that.

Music school is truly no small matter. I have two daughters in music school, and a third will likely follow their path. It seems that in recent years, my wife and I basically live for music school. 😵

So, the older one is entering the 5th grade of music school (which is 6th grade in elementary school), which means:
2x weekly ear training + instrument
1x weekly orchestra
2x weekly choir (noting that orchestra and choir are not mandatory).

Intense, isn't it? And that is just the regular curriculum. Of course, on top of that, she should be practicing daily and completing ear training assignments...

Then, that "unfortunate" choir becomes successful and they get cast in two operas (Little Chimney Sweep and Carmen), competitions... and suddenly the choir becomes their primary activity. There were days when she left for elementary school at 8:00 AM and didn't get home from music school until 10:30 PM. Therefore, it is highly desirable for the music school to be close to both home and elementary school.

The younger one is in the 2nd grade of music school (3rd grade in elementary), but she is also in the choir, which means:
2x weekly ear training + instrument
2x weekly choir

And then, on top of everything, competition rehearsals kick in, making choir a daily obligation.

In short, at times, music school can turn into a horror story, even given the fact that the children are independent and, in most cases, take the bus to school themselves.

On the other hand, the joys are immeasurable. For instance, just yesterday:
The child (the younger one) was overjoyed. 🎉

The older one just left a friend's birthday party to head to choir rehearsal (even though it's Sunday afternoon), but the reward is enticing. They are going to a competition in Venice this May.

Ultimately, music school can become a massive challenge and occasionally a burden, but it brings so much beauty and is worth every single minute and every cent spent...
I will remember the face and the words of my daughter for the rest of my life when she walked out of the premiere of Little Chimney Sweep saying, "Dad, I am so happy I could cry." I highly doubt she would have felt that way if she had simply received two A's in math and history.

I have never understood how a purely religious rite could morph into such a blatant commercial enterprise. Is the true purpose of a First Communion really to indulge every teenage whim or host lavish banquets for everyone else? I attended a recent ceremony that concluded with a lunch lasting over six hours, though I suppose that level of excess comes with a staggering price tag.

As the old saying goes: the sponsor pays the price, and I wouldn't be surprised if some godparents are still paying off the credit card debt from those celebrations today.

I enjoyed the film, yet I found it leans far too heavily into an unnatural blend of classic courtroom drama and geriatric action akin to Summer villa at Golden Lake

I just finished watching it, and it was an excellent film. 👍

It presents a profound theme for reflection, which is perfectly captured by Simic’s timeless poem:

watch your step

Watch your step
lest you wander small
beneath the stars!

Allow
the gentle starlight
to wash over your entire being!

So that you shall have no regrets
when your final glances
part from the stars!

At your journey's end
before turning to dust
become one with the stars!

The little brat was actually trying to flirt with me. 🙂

She told me today that she can play both the guitar and the melodica.

analogseal18 said:It is entirely possible that garant is misinterpreting the situation. There is always the chance she actually wants a synth and is merely trying to engineer a way to get one. 😉 Besides, trained musicians generally hold those things in lower regard than a cheap plastic recorder.

This is actually the first time I’ve heard of them playing instruments in the sixth grade (mine is in sixth as well). Some middle schools start teaching the recorder in fifth grade, and students can often choose to play the melodica instead. Unfortunately, our local district falls into that category where they don't bother with actual playing at all.

That is possible. Since Parent-Teacher conferences are in two days, I will verify this personally.

She already owns a recorder (a wooden one, at that), so there is no way she will be getting a synthesizer under any pretext. If the school or the teacher actually demands such an instrument, they will certainly hear from me.

Angela Wright4 said:As long as computer science remains just an elective, there isn’t much point in even having this discussion. They should be prioritizing history and geography over tech. Back in 2014... they even scheduled it during the afternoon shift at the largest high school in the city, which basically screwed over the 25% of students who rely on public transit, not to mention another 25% who couldn't show up because they had music lessons or other commitments... I think I've made my point sufficiently...

Well, that would require actual effort from the Department of Education, or maybe even the state agency, but nobody there is ever going to lift a finger to make a change like that.

Then you have my fifth grader; on Monday, he walks in and realizes he has... wait for it... eight!!! classes scheduled back-to-back... Who on earth approves a schedule like that...

There are plenty of things here that could be fixed; the only question is whether we possess the leadership capable of executing them.

I was infuriated today by information my daughter, a sixth grader, brought home from school. Apparently, the music teacher stated that students without a synthesizer will receive a failing grade in music class. My daughter also attends a local music academy, and in my view, this requirement is nothing more than a corruption of her existing skills, especially since she can play everything they teach on her own guitar.

So, what is the recourse? Do we submit to this "requirement," or go to the school hoping someone will address these delusions and unnecessary complications?

nimblelynx7 said:I’m not necessarily against tracking if it’s handled with precision and done the right way.

I disagree with the idea of sorting kids based on arbitrary age brackets—like saying all 5th graders go to prep school, while 4th graders head to vocational or trade schools.

It might make sense to group students by aptitude. If someone excels at math and physics, they belong in an advanced STEM track. If they lean toward social sciences, they should focus on things like English, history, or geography. In the end, you'll have the students who don't quite fit a specific mold; they'll spend middle school covering the basics of everything, then likely move into trade programs in high school. That isn't inherently a bad thing.

On one hand, this feels like déjà vu; it reminds me of the policies proposed by Šuvar.

On the other hand, very few parents are willing to confront the actual abilities—or lack thereof—of their own children, nor are they accepting of such an educational system.

Ryan Thompson said:It’s pretty obvious that London is pulling the strings behind that classic TV network; it feels like just another coordinated plot against our interests.

Precisely. That is why they broadcast those tiny flying teddy bears. It is a calculated attempt to dull the intellect of American children.

swiftbear86 said:My daughter was also on the accelerated track during 3rd and 4th grade.
She’ll still receive a certificate showing she completed elementary music school.
Just keep in mind that "elementary music school" implies finishing all 6 grades, not just playing an instrument for 6 years.😉
Even back in the day, you didn't get a diploma after year four, but you definitely used to get those extra points for the application process after finishing the 4th year.

That is absolutely correct... once the school is finished, it is recorded as 6 years regardless of the actual duration.

Kudos on the accelerated track; it simply proves the child has talent, which must be nurtured and rewarded.

Alexander Garcia5 said:What did Apple ever do to you? Why the hate? 🤷

It is simply a matter of perspective. My intentions aren't aimed at harming Apple; rather, I want what is best for the USA.

We only have ourselves to blame for failing to pull a winning hand when we had the chance.

Michael Anderson2 said:They’re both just as bad—they’re both selling nothing but hot air...☕

I would much prefer to see Steve Jobs leading the United States while Kamala Harris ran Apple.

Jonathan Smith12 said:What an absolute mountain of nonsense.
I have to ask, when people start throwing around terms like "public sector bloat," who exactly are they targeting? Are we supposed to count our nurses and doctors, our teachers, daycare workers, soldiers on peacekeeping missions, police officers, street sweepers, or even firefighters under that umbrella?
And as for the whole "expert" debate—let’s be realistic here. No truly talented professional with a university degree, even with a decent salary scale or a coefficient of 1.1 and a base pay of 4$67, is going to stick around in government service. It’s just not happening. Any halfway decent private firm out there can easily offer them at least fifty percent more than what the state provides.

To start with, here is just one of many real-world examples.

Kolegica and I (both employees at a private corporation) visited a public agency to resolve some issues.

We were met with: "Why are you showing up now (12:20 PM)? It's Friday."

Despite their sour attitudes, we insisted on completing the task we were sent for because business hours last until 3:00 PM. We finished everything in less than ninety minutes despite their constant complaining. One of them even gathered her things and went home early simply because she had nothing to do anyway.

The entire workload of those four women—and I know exactly what they do because they use our software—could be handled by either Kolegica or myself in half the time. You probably think their director, who is fully aware of this, would ever consider laying off his four employees to hire someone like us. He certainly would not.

Since conditions are so miserable in certain government agencies, why don't you unfortunate souls just quit? Do you have any idea how many daycare workers, teachers, professors, and other staff members are waiting for a job opening? And don't even get me started on the bureaucrats.

The state is rotten to its core because it squanders money on idle bureaucracy and pays out pensions to people who should still be in their prime working years. If they cut unnecessary funding, there would be enough capital to pay world-class experts who actually earn their keep. However, such people would quickly clash with someone like Šeks, so this state—or rather, those representing it—uses its broken mechanisms to maintain control, unconcerned that they are dragging us all into the gutter, because they know the truth always surfaces eventually.

Finally, look into the payroll at the County Road Administration; see who actually works, when they work, and when they last hired anyone through a legitimate, non-fictitious job posting.

The issue isn't whether there are hardworking government employees earning low wages; the issue is that the entire system is fundamentally corrupt. The Austro-Canadian empire collapsed over a century ago, yet their bureaucratic structure remains, for us, nothing short of a Utopia.