Posts by Jessica Chavez4

So if a music program lasts six years, does that mean you’re expected to have completed your entire musical education in those six years?

No kidding, even back in my day, it was a 6.

So why didn't any of us make it further? 😬

We competed quite a bit because our coach and the B-class teacher were math pros, so it was mostly about pride—not wanting to lose to the local nerds. But I don't recall anyone making it past the county level. Not even the district stage. I just remember those competitions being crowded enough that finishing in the top twenty felt like an achievement in itself.

swiftbear86 said:Which school would you pick now, and why?
Why wouldn't a prep school be a good choice if you plan on going to college later?

applied.

A prep school isn't necessarily the right fit for every degree path. Especially those language-focused tracks—you might find yourself stuck working a dead-end janitorial job at a liberal arts college. 😬

Rachel Jones8 said:Back-to-back? Why go through all that trouble? Did you join that music program just for the extra credit?
Why didn't you keep going if you failed one year? Is there a rule that says you can't continue? 😕

Because I didn't want to go anymore. Honestly, I only did it because my parents were bored, so they bought a piano. It looks classy, and it’s considered high status when your kid takes music lessons. Makes her look refined, smart, and like she'll land a great spouse. You wouldn't get it.

But seriously, after all those years, I didn't even get the credit. Looking at it now, it seems like the number of extra points available has skyrocketed since I was in school. Even back then, we dealt with massive grade inflation and vague criteria. I can't even imagine how much worse it's gotten over the last fifteen years, considering how messy it already was. I remember having about fifty-seven points, and my parents were practically pulling their hair out trying to make sure I got into prep school—they were borderline panicking. But they were always like that. Personally, I regret getting into that specific school; if it had been more laid back, I could have actually caused some trouble there. But, yeah. 🤷

Nicholas King said:Well, if we're being strictly accurate, completing just four out of the six grades in elementary music school would have been plenty.

They should probably give credit for all six. Back in my day, they didn't just count four years; you did the whole thing. I failed the fifth year, so apparently, I never even showed up. I poured six years of my life into that—not counting the preparatory year at the start.

It feels like nothing would actually work unless we had a real reception desk set up. That’s just the most straightforward way to handle it.

Come on, let's not fight about this. If the local music schools aren't cutting it, you can always look into a rock academy or something similar. I mean, if you aren't aiming to be some world-class concert pianist and just want someone who can play for a good party, there are plenty of ways to get there.

Nicholas King said:

I suppose I should address this—though I’m not entirely sure where to begin with such a disorganized mess of thoughts—but there is something fundamentally irritating about how things are being handled lately. It feels like we are constantly circling the same drain, much like that one time my old boss at Boeing tried to tell me that a structural flaw was just a "minor optimization opportunity"—as if that makes any sense at all. I mean, honestly, does anyone actually care about the details anymore? Everything seems to be moving toward this frantic, superficial rush, and frankly, it's exhausting to watch. I guess some people find it exhilarating—maybe they thrive on the chaos—but for those of us who actually value precision and a bit of decorum, it’s nothing but a headache. It's almost as if we've collectively decided that doing things correctly is far too much effort compared to just getting them done poorly. I don't know... perhaps I'm just being overly cynical here, but it certainly feels that way. kaže:
Why on earth would anyone even ask that? I mean, honestly—it seems like such an obvious question that I’m almost hesitant to even attempt an answer, given how much nuance is involved. I guess it depends entirely on what we're actually talking about, doesn't it? There isn't just one single reason for anything in this life—everything is layered, complicated, and frankly, a bit exhausting if you think about it too deeply. But maybe, just maybe, there’s some underlying logic we’re all missing. Or perhaps there isn't. It’s hard to say for sure without more context, but I suspect the answer is far less simple than most people would care to admit.🤷

It’s really about the fine motor skills and all that other practical stuff—plus, I suppose there's a certain convenience to finishing both music school and your regular high school at the same time.

I honestly missed where you spotted that on the linked page—anyway, thanks for sending the link over. It’s about time someone actually pointed out a source that explicitly mentions they aren't even enrolling older kids from...
I suppose we have officially reached the milestone of finishing second grade.

But if you look further down the page, it says 😕

If you miss the window for standard music school, students between 12 and 15 can enroll in one of two PREPARATORY PROGRAMS to get into the MUSIC HIGH SCHOOL for specific instruments: bassoon, harp, clarinet, double bass, oboe, French horn, saxophone, tuba, trombone, and percussion. These prep programs allow older, more driven students to make up for missing the initial music school years, which isn't even an option for certain instruments like the double bass, tuba, bassoon, or percussion.

Alright, so what exactly are they looking for from us now?

It really depends on which instrument you’re eyeing; some programs have later enrollment windows.

http://www.garfieldschoolofmusic.com/about

Nicholas King said:Well, you had to show up because your parents were essentially forcing you—which, frankly, seems like a pretty ridiculous way for them to handle things. That doesn't really have anything to do with the actual point we're discussing here.

don't rely too heavily on whether the local music conservatory thinks your kid has talent or not; listen to what the child tells you instead. 🤷

A child can't exactly determine if they have "musical aptitude" or not—that’s what the instructors at the conservatory are trained to assess. What a child *can* tell you is whether or not they actually enjoy attending their lessons.

I don't know, back when I was in third or fourth grade, my music school told my parents I couldn't really sing. They signed me up for choir anyway, though we didn't actually start performing right away. I think I passed the entrance audition by singing something basic like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or some other nursery rhyme nightmare. 🤷

And I didn't even go to choir because I wanted to; my parents dragged me there because it was a mandatory part of the curriculum at the academy. I wasn't interested, so I’d just stand there with my mouth open. Looking back, I know that sounds perfectly logical to everyone else, but in hindsight, the whole setup feels a bit ridiculous.🤷

Nicholas King said:If you ask me—and I suspect you might disagree—it’s probably not the best way to go.

To start with, music school provides things like ear training and choir—but honestly, that isn't even the main selling point here.

One of the biggest advantages of a local community music school is the social aspect—getting kids around peers who share similar interests. Contrary to those tired old clichés, these kids aren't just a bunch of socially awkward geeks; quite the opposite, really. On the other hand, a private tutor doesn't offer that "organic environment" in the same way a public school does.

And we shouldn't overlook the fact that a private instructor is a much more expensive option, too.

Man, ear training and choir were actually the highlights for me. Honestly, my piano teachers weren't exactly great either, except for one, but my ear training teacher was a total drunk and the choir didn't even let me sing. I basically just sat there yawning because attendance was mandatory. It feels like these local music academies don't have any real standards. I managed to scrape by until fifth grade when I finally failed a level, and they just suggested I drop out since I wasn't musical and didn't even care for music. My grandparents signed me up because my grandpa got bored one day and bought an upright piano. He just plopped it right in the living room. 🤣

So, I don't know—don't rely on a music school to tell you if your kid has talent. You're better off listening to the kid. 🤷

And you’re still surprised by everything? You're acting like someone who hasn't seen a single thing coming...

Peter Doyle2 said:Not really.
No one in my house reads. Honestly, almost nobody in my circle does, aside from a few girlfriends. Still, I managed to develop a genuine love for reading on my own—well, except for a pretty dark period during high school and right after.
But that’s a whole other long story, I guess. This thread is supposed to be about required school reading lists.
How am I supposed to tell my kid one day, "Honey, please read *The Process*, it's an incredibly esteemed and important book," when it left me (and clearly others here too) with deep-seated trauma? 🤷 The only thing I could probably say is, "Ugh, just deal with it, I had to, too," and then encourage them to go find some therapy through a much more normal novel. 🤣

I'm not pretending these aren't valuable, great works of literature. I said that right at the start of this discussion. I don't think they should be kicked out of schools or textbooks—good grief.
But they shouldn't be the foundation of a mandatory reading list. They aren't engaging, and frankly, they aren't suited for teenagers at all. Almost any of them could be studied in class just as effectively—if not more so—than many of the other books currently stuck in the American curriculum.

So, we're back to the original question: what is the actual point of required school reading? Or better yet, given that physical books are dying and reading culture is fading, what *should* the purpose be today? Isn't it more important to actually get kids interested in reading—to spark that curiosity—rather than systematically forcing them through "great" works that are just plain repulsive? 🤷

Honestly, I truly believe that if I hadn't been forced to tackle so many of these high school staples until I was older and more mature, I wouldn't have grown to hate them so permanently.

It would be really interesting to see the reading lists used in other countries, though.

edit: Looking at Kate Cox2's list, it seems like almost nothing has changed since I graduated. And *Combray* is right there at the beginning, just to kill you off the moment the school year starts. 🤣 Franz Kafka is hot on its heels. 🙄

Besides, how do you even know you'll share the same taste? For instance, I absolutely love books that my mother finds incredibly dull.🤷

I haven't actually read *The Process*, but now that I think about it, it might actually be right up my alley. My mom used to dodge reading altogether back in the day, and our school's required reading wasn't even that strict—we just had to pick three to five books a year, and we usually managed to scrape by with the easiest ones.

redseal23 said:Maybe I sounded harsh, but I really wasn't. 😍😁
Look, I don't care if he hangs out outside the apartment for a bit longer—whatever. I used to go for runs around the neighborhood in the summer too, no big deal. But this guy wanted to be out until midnight wandering around town with his buddies? Yeah, absolutely not. That's where I draw the line.

You guys are totally nitpicking about the hair and the towel 🤣
I was just trying to help my kid get all that heavy-duty gel out. It looked like some cheap version of something you'd find in an Alexander soap commercial or something. Plus, he’s got hair down past his chin, so everything was just literally dripping everywhere. 😲

Now the roses are blooming again 😍
He forgave me for not giving him anything ; his words 😁

Look, kids go through a phase where they need to burn through about five tons of hair gel between ages twelve and fourteen. He'll grow out of it eventually, don't sweat it.
😛

Give the kid a break. Let them grow their hair out and wear whatever they want. If they end up looking ridiculous, they've got friends to tell them. Besides, looking a little goofy is basically a rite of passage in middle school—it’s just what they do, even if we don't quite get it.

Dennis Bailey2 said:Icy. 🤦 Look, left-handedness only stopped being treated like a disgrace about 40 years ago. Before that, kids were forced to write with their right hands, and they managed just fine.

Nowadays, anyone can pick up left-handed writing if they want to; it’s purely a matter of grit and persistence. For example, when my right arm was stuck in a cast for two months, I picked it up without any trouble at all.

If lefties are supposedly "superior" because of how they process information or whatever pseudo-scientific theory people cling to, why don't we see that reflected anywhere else? Aside from having an advantage in certain positions on a soccer field or a baseball diamond, there's zero evidence. 🤣

Sure, they can write without issues, but give me a second to read what they actually wrote. 🤣

My kids, for one, never learned how to write neatly because it just wasn't natural for them. They do everything left-handed, so when they try using their right hand, it’s a total mess.

Sam Hayes said:we both fit most of those descriptions, even if we aren't using the same hand to write 😉
what I find silly are these pervasive stereotypes and the nonsense people get caught up in. I still stand by what I said—that anyone can learn to write with their left hand (or vice versa)—it's really just a matter of habit and doesn't have anything to do with how smart you are🤣.

Well, if it’s really that simple, did you actually pull it off? I tried it myself and it was a complete disaster. 🤷

And why on earth should blame and responsibility be treated as the same thing? Someone might be at fault for what happened to you during your childhood, sure, but once you're an adult, the responsibility falls on you to fix it... 🤷