Keep Our music teachers full time at Southern Middle
331 Comments
H
Hugh Cassidy
11 years ago
It would be a loss indeed for the
school chn. of A.A.Cty.
A
Alexa Burley
11 years ago
Mr. Albright and Mrs. Walker are both extremely important in the education of my children. I would hope that you reconsider their positions and figure out an alternative to cut costs.
T
Tonya Sprinkle
11 years ago
Keep the best band teacher for SMS!
R
Renee Wong
11 years ago
Me Albright is a complete blessing. Don't let him go!
E
Emily
11 years ago
This is very import to me
J
Judith Boertlein
11 years ago
I have personal seen the Choral program at SMS improve significantly since Mrs. Walker's arrival. Mr. Albright has always provided impeccable service to the students at SMS.
C
Chyna eaton
11 years ago
Give them the full pay
M
Margaret Zylwitis
11 years ago
I strongly urge reconsideration.
S
Susie Rawlings
11 years ago
the arts are a very important to our students..my daughter has enjoyed music her entire time in school.
L
Lisa Rose
11 years ago
The arts are where many students who struggle academically experience success. It's their only joy and it's what keeps them in school. It would be unforgivable to take away the one thing in which they excel, where their passion burns. Cut funds somewhere else. Stop draining the joy out of our kids.
S
Scott Wiles
11 years ago
Instead of defunding these positions and ultimately losing the programs based on one years' enrollment, wouldn't it be better to make an effort to change the program to include outreach to elementary schools?
J
Julianna Smith
11 years ago
Music was such a big part of my growing up I think it's crazy that this is occurring. I remember when I first started band with Albright in 6th grade I was so shy and quiet but the music and the awesome teacher Albright brought me out of my shell. I became more confident in myself and music. When I look back and think of my favorite and most memorable experiences they all occurred in band. I'll never forget albrights most favorite quote " the smartest kids are in music" and I totoally agree with this. I mean maybe when I was younger I just laughed at this but it's true. The music kids were the ones waking up at the crack of dawn to improve and get better during the week. We had to not only focus on our core Hw but also our practicing of our instrument. But above all else band tought us to have a fantastic work ethic and you don't learn that from you core classes at all. I just feel like cutting down on these classes is going to kill the artistic ability of the students. You put all this effort into dance and Art classes and yet you act like music isn't part of the arts. It's a real shame you think that they are more important than the music program.
J
Julianna Smith
11 years ago
Music was such a big part of my growing up I think it's crazy that this is occurring. I remember when I first started band with Albright in 6th grade I was so shy and quiet but the music and the awesome teacher Albright brought me out of my shell. I became more confident in myself and music. When I look back and think of my favorite and most memorable experiences they all occurred in band. I'll never forget albrights most favorite quote " the smartest kids are in music" and I totoally agree with this. I mean maybe when I was younger I just laughed at this but it's true. The music kids were the ones waking up at the crack of dawn to improve and get better during the week. We had to not only focus on our core Hw but also our practicing of our instrument. But above all else band tought us to have a fantastic work ethic and you don't learn that from you core classes at all. I just feel like cutting down on these classes is going to kill the artistic ability of the students. You put all this effort into dance and Art classes and yet you act like music isn't part of the arts. It's a real shame you think that they are more important than the music program.
A
Alyssa Rose
11 years ago
Mr. Albright and Mrs. Walker were one of the highlights of being a part Southern Middle School. They kept the music alive and they should be appreciated for everything they do!
R
Rebecca Shoemaker
11 years ago
KEEP THESE FANTASTIC TEACHERS!
G
Grace Howl
11 years ago
I have been greatly influenced by the music department at Southern Middle School. All the lessons that were taught and all the moments that were shared are an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I especially loved Mrs. Walker (because I was a chorus kid), I looked forward to her class everyday and I would hate to have the next generation of SMS students not have the same experience.
S
Sandra Smith
11 years ago
Southern Middle school is facing losing one if their most successful and engaging teachers unless someone steps in to help.
K
Kelly Poe
11 years ago
Ms. Walker made my SMS experience an amazing one, and encouraged and fostered my love of singing and music. I probably would have left the Southern Feeder system if not for the choir program in middle school.
I
Irene Souada
· petition starter
11 years ago
Thank you so much. Your comment brought tears to my eyes. I pray all our efforts will make a difference. -Irene
J
John Osborne
11 years ago
To whom this may concern:
My name is John Osborne. I was a student of Southern Middle School from 1993-1996. Although I did not study under Mr. Albright or Ms. Walker at the time, the music department was my area of solace and inspiration as a child. It taught me discipline, commitment, and gave me the tools to be the person/musician I am today. Because of those formidable years I received a music scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville, TN which allowed me to pursue the life I've always dreamed of when I was a quiet, insecure boy walking through the big halls of SMS. Since then I've traveled all over the world, played with multiple major label recording artists, became a studio musician playing on hit songs on the radio, signed two publishing deals, signed my own record deal to Universal Music Group with 3 top 40 songs on the radio so far, and most recently was nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award (ACM). I achieved all of these things because I went to a school that believed in the Arts and I carry Southern Middle School pride (and Southern Senior High) with me wherever I go.
The thought of SMS diminishing the arts in any way crushes me. It shows a real lack of faith in the impact it can have on a child. I understand that the climate for public education has changed drastically in the past 20 years but our school system needs to look out for the kids first. And reducing any arts programs, in any way, is the wrong foot forward and shows a complete lack of understanding of how children operate.
SMS has always been a staunch competitor in the Anne Arundel County music programs. Now it appears that it is competing with itself.
It would be a loss indeed for the school chn. of A.A.Cty.
Mr. Albright and Mrs. Walker are both extremely important in the education of my children. I would hope that you reconsider their positions and figure out an alternative to cut costs.
Keep the best band teacher for SMS!
Me Albright is a complete blessing. Don't let him go!
This is very import to me
I have personal seen the Choral program at SMS improve significantly since Mrs. Walker's arrival. Mr. Albright has always provided impeccable service to the students at SMS.
Give them the full pay
I strongly urge reconsideration.
the arts are a very important to our students..my daughter has enjoyed music her entire time in school.
The arts are where many students who struggle academically experience success. It's their only joy and it's what keeps them in school. It would be unforgivable to take away the one thing in which they excel, where their passion burns. Cut funds somewhere else. Stop draining the joy out of our kids.
Instead of defunding these positions and ultimately losing the programs based on one years' enrollment, wouldn't it be better to make an effort to change the program to include outreach to elementary schools?
Music was such a big part of my growing up I think it's crazy that this is occurring. I remember when I first started band with Albright in 6th grade I was so shy and quiet but the music and the awesome teacher Albright brought me out of my shell. I became more confident in myself and music. When I look back and think of my favorite and most memorable experiences they all occurred in band. I'll never forget albrights most favorite quote " the smartest kids are in music" and I totoally agree with this. I mean maybe when I was younger I just laughed at this but it's true. The music kids were the ones waking up at the crack of dawn to improve and get better during the week. We had to not only focus on our core Hw but also our practicing of our instrument. But above all else band tought us to have a fantastic work ethic and you don't learn that from you core classes at all. I just feel like cutting down on these classes is going to kill the artistic ability of the students. You put all this effort into dance and Art classes and yet you act like music isn't part of the arts. It's a real shame you think that they are more important than the music program.
Music was such a big part of my growing up I think it's crazy that this is occurring. I remember when I first started band with Albright in 6th grade I was so shy and quiet but the music and the awesome teacher Albright brought me out of my shell. I became more confident in myself and music. When I look back and think of my favorite and most memorable experiences they all occurred in band. I'll never forget albrights most favorite quote " the smartest kids are in music" and I totoally agree with this. I mean maybe when I was younger I just laughed at this but it's true. The music kids were the ones waking up at the crack of dawn to improve and get better during the week. We had to not only focus on our core Hw but also our practicing of our instrument. But above all else band tought us to have a fantastic work ethic and you don't learn that from you core classes at all. I just feel like cutting down on these classes is going to kill the artistic ability of the students. You put all this effort into dance and Art classes and yet you act like music isn't part of the arts. It's a real shame you think that they are more important than the music program.
Mr. Albright and Mrs. Walker were one of the highlights of being a part Southern Middle School. They kept the music alive and they should be appreciated for everything they do!
KEEP THESE FANTASTIC TEACHERS!
I have been greatly influenced by the music department at Southern Middle School. All the lessons that were taught and all the moments that were shared are an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I especially loved Mrs. Walker (because I was a chorus kid), I looked forward to her class everyday and I would hate to have the next generation of SMS students not have the same experience.
Southern Middle school is facing losing one if their most successful and engaging teachers unless someone steps in to help.
Ms. Walker made my SMS experience an amazing one, and encouraged and fostered my love of singing and music. I probably would have left the Southern Feeder system if not for the choir program in middle school.
Thank you so much. Your comment brought tears to my eyes. I pray all our efforts will make a difference. -Irene
To whom this may concern: My name is John Osborne. I was a student of Southern Middle School from 1993-1996. Although I did not study under Mr. Albright or Ms. Walker at the time, the music department was my area of solace and inspiration as a child. It taught me discipline, commitment, and gave me the tools to be the person/musician I am today. Because of those formidable years I received a music scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville, TN which allowed me to pursue the life I've always dreamed of when I was a quiet, insecure boy walking through the big halls of SMS. Since then I've traveled all over the world, played with multiple major label recording artists, became a studio musician playing on hit songs on the radio, signed two publishing deals, signed my own record deal to Universal Music Group with 3 top 40 songs on the radio so far, and most recently was nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award (ACM). I achieved all of these things because I went to a school that believed in the Arts and I carry Southern Middle School pride (and Southern Senior High) with me wherever I go. The thought of SMS diminishing the arts in any way crushes me. It shows a real lack of faith in the impact it can have on a child. I understand that the climate for public education has changed drastically in the past 20 years but our school system needs to look out for the kids first. And reducing any arts programs, in any way, is the wrong foot forward and shows a complete lack of understanding of how children operate. SMS has always been a staunch competitor in the Anne Arundel County music programs. Now it appears that it is competing with itself.