ABSTRACT
The scheduling of instrumental music classes is an important topic for band and orchestra teachers due to the combination of alternative scheduling strategies and the increase in more challenging academic classes such as Advanced Placement. Traditional junior high schools, which used teaching strategies and structured curriculum similar to what was offered at senior high schools have mainly been replaced by middle schools. The “back to basics” and “arts are basic” movements often make little distinction between the fine arts subjects. Indeed the new National Core Arts Standards include dance, media arts, music, theater, and visual arts and most states require only a single “fine arts” credit for graduation. Elementary, middle, and high school students can benefit from year-round or summer private lessons. Because parents of students struggling to play “The Old Gray Goose” may be reluctant to spend dearly on private lessons, advanced high school or college players provide a pool of teacher/coaches at reasonable fees.
