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Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
Thu Aug 17, 2017, 09:23 PM Aug 2017

I sent an appreciative email this evening to a high school choir director. Why?

I have a freshman and a junior in high school who are in the same chorus class. Two thirds of my sons. The eldest is in one of the glee clubs at FSU (sanctuary campus!). I do boys and musicians really really well apparently.

My youngest returned home from band sectional rehearsals (that musician thing) this evening and told me his choir director spent time in class today lecturing on kindness, compassion, and racism. The events in Charlottesville have moved him like they have moved all of us.

He's a public school teacher in a district that skewed Trump. In a depressingly appallingly way if digi-scan results are to be trusted.

It may seem like such a little thing, but in my opinion this took courage. He had no way of knowing how many idiotic Trump supporting offspring were sitting in that class. We all know that racism is far more a moral issue than a political one, but that won't stop pissed off parents from complaining about him if they take exception to this.

I am so grateful my children are in the care of such a person, even if just 45 minutes a day.

We all have to speak up in whatever capacity we are able to fight this evil. This high school choir director did just that. Thank you!



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I sent an appreciative email this evening to a high school choir director. Why? (Original Post) Pacifist Patriot Aug 2017 OP
Good on you for writing that email. Lindsay Aug 2017 #1
This fellow parent of a student musician in FL thanks you mcar Aug 2017 #2
I am so fortunate to be in a county and in school districts with... Pacifist Patriot Aug 2017 #3
Music is a universal language that unites, not divides... Blue Owl Aug 2017 #4
Indeed! Pacifist Patriot Aug 2017 #6
That director will never forget your kindness. CurtEastPoint Aug 2017 #5
The pain, hope, and steadfastness of faith Ilsa Aug 2017 #7
I was raised in a musical household. Pacifist Patriot Aug 2017 #11
Very K&R defacto7 Aug 2017 #8
The teacher will probably get in trouble for yhis TrogL Aug 2017 #9
I received a response and he told me he did not have permission Pacifist Patriot Aug 2017 #10
GOOD! Glad you sent the email. Bettie Aug 2017 #12
His reply included some very important words. Pacifist Patriot Aug 2017 #13
That's awesome Bettie Aug 2017 #14

Lindsay

(3,276 posts)
1. Good on you for writing that email.
Thu Aug 17, 2017, 09:29 PM
Aug 2017

I'm guessing people tend to be subject to a lot more complaints than complements, so your positive reinforcement is double plus good.

mcar

(42,210 posts)
2. This fellow parent of a student musician in FL thanks you
Thu Aug 17, 2017, 09:31 PM
Aug 2017


So glad this kind of teaching still happens here. Band kept my youngest in HS.

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
3. I am so fortunate to be in a county and in school districts with...
Thu Aug 17, 2017, 09:34 PM
Aug 2017

principals who massively support the arts. People can say whatever they want about Florida, but music programs in schools do still seem to be cherished throughout our state.

Ilsa

(61,676 posts)
7. The pain, hope, and steadfastness of faith
Thu Aug 17, 2017, 11:01 PM
Aug 2017

is at the heart of a lot of choir music that was formerly African American spiritual or folk music. It survives today not just in performances, but hymnals, rearrangements, etc. It can soften the hardest of hearts and stir the senses. It is a gift this nation does not deserve.

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
11. I was raised in a musical household.
Fri Aug 18, 2017, 08:13 AM
Aug 2017

My mom was a music major in college and a church choir director for a time. I have sung in choirs my entire life and am so thrilled all three of my boys inherited her talent (skipped me darnit!). My youngest is an unbelievably talented musician. Already playing trombone in a jazz club at fourteen. I surely couldn't have done that and not just because I don't play trombone.

Pretty much every choral concert I have seen my children participate in has included at least one spiritual. I love that!

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
10. I received a response and he told me he did not have permission
Fri Aug 18, 2017, 08:07 AM
Aug 2017

from the administration. If he experiences any blow back from this, I will totally have his back and raise a fuss that would put anyone who opposed his decision to shame.

Bettie

(15,998 posts)
12. GOOD! Glad you sent the email.
Fri Aug 18, 2017, 08:36 AM
Aug 2017

I'm a band/choir mom too.

I've got a Junior Tenor Sax boy and a Sophomore Trombone boy.

Pacifist Patriot

(24,647 posts)
13. His reply included some very important words.
Fri Aug 18, 2017, 08:58 AM
Aug 2017

"...I felt I needed to say something….these are difficult times, and our kids are watching how we as adults carry ourselves and our reactions…."

ABSOLUTELY!!

Bettie

(15,998 posts)
14. That's awesome
Fri Aug 18, 2017, 09:12 AM
Aug 2017

Frankly, neo or any kind of Nazis shouldn't be a partisan thing! We should ALL be against that.

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