Lets Make A Stand Now! Let Our Students Dance Without Making Them Play An Instrument!
We are writing this petition to encourage the band director and Greenville High School to change the policy regarding the requirements for students to try out for the band front. Currently, students must be a member of the concert band to be in the band front. It is our understanding that it is going to be changed to being a member of the marching band for a year. We are requesting that the requirement to play an instrument be removed. Our reasons for this request are listed below:
* Upon contact with the following school districts: Reynolds, Sharpsville, Sharon, and West Middlesex, it was found that there was no requirement to be in the band in order to be in the band front.
* The band would be larger during performances. Once students fulfill their requirement of their one year participation in the marching band, they will then leave to join the band front, minimizing the number of students in the marching band.
* Greenville High School prides itself on offering college electives to students. Those students who would choose to take many of those electives lose the opportunity because they have to take band when their actual choice is just band front. Therefore, one of their electives is taken up with band.
* Greenville High School should offer extra- curricular opportunities for all venues and interests. What opportunities are available for students who have danced from a young age and want to explore that opportunity at GHS? There is nothing for them but band front. That is what they are interested in – not band. To require them to be in band would be like asking a cheerleader to also be part of the football team.
* By requiring students to be part of band to be a dancer when they don’t necessarily have an interest in the band, discourages them from participating. More students would participate if they weren’t forced to participate in something they didn’t want to do. Don’t we want to encourage students to be active in our extra-curricular activities and be well rounded students?
* Why have these recent changes been made?
Please reconsider the requirements for the band front being part of the band. We want to encourage participation in activities and have Renaissance children, not discourage them. Thank you.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
December 15, 2016
22 Comments
I was once a trojanette and I can't believe they have rules and regulations requiring them to also play an instrument. It was not required when I was student and should not be required now. Are you requiring all students who do extra curricular activities to double up?
I agree with this, I feel the marching band is much smaller than when I was in school which has made me a little sad at the football games and I do feel it will continue to decrease in number as this keeps going unless it changes. However, I do feel if they change it back then maybe leave an open tryout to band members first and then open it to others. I know in the past it was hard for band members to make the band front due to playing an instrument. I believe it should be open opportunities for both.
I was on the Danceline at Reynolds and I couldn't imagine that being taken from me just because I didn't play an instrument. Good luck!
As a former Silk Line Captain, 1998-2000, I'm not only shocked but saddened to see this as a policy. Many of my fondest memories include band camp, performing at pep rally's, football games, parades and a trip to Virginia Beach. My experiences being involved in band shaped who I am today and if this policy had been in place I would never have been a member as I have never been musically inclined. This is a disservice to the student body and robs students of participating by discriminating against them for not playing a musical instrument. There is a place in the band for all!
There is enough pressure on students these days. One extra curricular is hard on top of school work. Not everyone is a musician. Let peoples light shine where it naturally shines. Let the musicians make beautiful music, and let the dancers help bring it to life visually.
Who are the educators who let this happen? It goes against everything we are taught. A student's decision to participate in anything they may be passionate about should be celebrated, not come with a stipulation! This is a true shame. We live in a time when there are some devastating situations that happen in schools, yet GHS has taken the time and effort to potentially take away a really amazing experience for some students. Shame on them.
Class of 2001
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Lets Make A Stand Now! Let Our Students Dance Without Making Them Play An Instrument!
We are writing this petition to encourage the band director and Greenville High School to change the policy regarding the requirements for students to try out for the band front. Currently, students must be a member of the concert band to be in the band front. It is our understanding that it is going to be changed to being a member of the marching band for a year. We are requesting that the requirement to play an instrument be removed. Our reasons for this request are listed below:
* Upon contact with the following school districts: Reynolds, Sharpsville, Sharon, and West Middlesex, it was found that there was no requirement to be in the band in order to be in the band front.
* The band would be larger during performances. Once students fulfill their requirement of their one year participation in the marching band, they will then leave to join the band front, minimizing the number of students in the marching band.
* Greenville High School prides itself on offering college electives to students. Those students who would choose to take many of those electives lose the opportunity because they have to take band when their actual choice is just band front. Therefore, one of their electives is taken up with band.
* Greenville High School should offer extra- curricular opportunities for all venues and interests. What opportunities are available for students who have danced from a young age and want to explore that opportunity at GHS? There is nothing for them but band front. That is what they are interested in – not band. To require them to be in band would be like asking a cheerleader to also be part of the football team.
* By requiring students to be part of band to be a dancer when they don’t necessarily have an interest in the band, discourages them from participating. More students would participate if they weren’t forced to participate in something they didn’t want to do. Don’t we want to encourage students to be active in our extra-curricular activities and be well rounded students?
* Why have these recent changes been made?
Please reconsider the requirements for the band front being part of the band. We want to encourage participation in activities and have Renaissance children, not discourage them. Thank you.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
December 15, 2016
22 Comments
I was shocked to hear this was a requirement! I was a majorette for four years, being captain for three of them. I also began twirling when I was five years old. I never played an instrument, or considered myself musically inclined. I think it is sad to exclude someone from doing something they love, and are good at, because they don't or can't play an instrument. I am glad to see people looking for a change.
I was once a trojanette and I can't believe they have rules and regulations requiring them to also play an instrument. It was not required when I was student and should not be required now. Are you requiring all students who do extra curricular activities to double up?
I agree with this, I feel the marching band is much smaller than when I was in school which has made me a little sad at the football games and I do feel it will continue to decrease in number as this keeps going unless it changes. However, I do feel if they change it back then maybe leave an open tryout to band members first and then open it to others. I know in the past it was hard for band members to make the band front due to playing an instrument. I believe it should be open opportunities for both.
I was on the Danceline at Reynolds and I couldn't imagine that being taken from me just because I didn't play an instrument. Good luck!
As a former Silk Line Captain, 1998-2000, I'm not only shocked but saddened to see this as a policy. Many of my fondest memories include band camp, performing at pep rally's, football games, parades and a trip to Virginia Beach. My experiences being involved in band shaped who I am today and if this policy had been in place I would never have been a member as I have never been musically inclined. This is a disservice to the student body and robs students of participating by discriminating against them for not playing a musical instrument. There is a place in the band for all!
There is enough pressure on students these days. One extra curricular is hard on top of school work. Not everyone is a musician. Let peoples light shine where it naturally shines. Let the musicians make beautiful music, and let the dancers help bring it to life visually.
Who are the educators who let this happen? It goes against everything we are taught. A student's decision to participate in anything they may be passionate about should be celebrated, not come with a stipulation! This is a true shame. We live in a time when there are some devastating situations that happen in schools, yet GHS has taken the time and effort to potentially take away a really amazing experience for some students. Shame on them.
Class of 2001
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I was shocked to hear this was a requirement! I was a majorette for four years, being captain for three of them. I also began twirling when I was five years old. I never played an instrument, or considered myself musically inclined. I think it is sad to exclude someone from doing something they love, and are good at, because they don't or can't play an instrument. I am glad to see people looking for a change.