COMPLETELY UNFIAR!! Writing a paper!!!?

At my high school, it is demanded that members of the school band play as teh "Pep Band" during sporting events. Our teacher was upset that many incoming freshman cut band from their schedule because they dont have the time to perform at these assemblies.

So not to discourage students from joining band, our director tried a new policy- a voluntary Pep Band. Ever since the year started, less and less people have been showing up. Now, the Head of the Fine Arts department at our school is getting him into trouble for "Not performing his job for teh students of hte school".

What I don't understand is this: If students don't want to play at Pep Band, why should they? Half of the sports teams play CD's, anyways. They obviously show that they don't want us playing. Our band teacher told us "we play because we are here to support the athletes, even though the athletes don't want us playing".

6 minutes ago - 3 days left to answer.

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Even worse- our sports teams suck. However, our Fine Arts program has been listed as one of the top in hte country. So why is our school discriminating? It's like they think that the sports teams are more important than music departments, so since we're less important, we should have to waste our time doing something we don't want to do while perorming for people who don't care? Why do we have to 'support' the athletic department?

I'm not saying elimintate Pep Band- if you want to go, you should be allowed to. But don't punish us, or our Band Director, for forcing us into something that we don't want to do. Even worse- htere is a book full of courses that you take during the shcool year- and no where in it does it say that band members must attend games! When i signed up for band, I didn't sign up for Pep Band!!!

please- how can I write a petition or a persuasive letter to hte people in charge to remove this activity from being manditory? I feel very strongly about it!!!

COMPLETELY UNFIAR!! Writing a paper!!!?chinese theater

First, I strongly recommend spell check. Nothing says "don't pay attention to me" like like poor spelling. Have your letter reviewed by an English major (your English teacher, perhaps?) and then REWRITE IT to include any suggestions, comments, or criticisms. A letter this important should be written once and rewritten at least twice, with at least a day between rewrites.

Second, don't expect to win. Sorry, but that's the way it is. For the vast majority of schools across the country, the sports programs are what bring in the parents, bring in the money, bring in the attention and sometimes even a bit of prestige. Someone is looking to tie more people and more student participation into atheltic events in an effort to put on the good face.

What do other school teams in the area do? If they don't do Pep band, you have a position to argue from. If they do, then maybe not.

I dunno, I thought I was going to be able to give you a few ideas and some ammunition, but now I'm not so sure. Looking at it from the administrator's point of view, most people would expect some kind of Pep band at a school athletic event. Not having one indicates poor school spirit. No one wants poor school spirit, so something's gotta give.

You can try an alternative. How about a punk rock Pep band? I'm sure there's gotta be at least a couple of bands at your school - maybe do a rotation or a battle of the bands to compete for the honor of playing the next pep rally or athletic event.

I don't know if that sounds at all like something that your school would be interested in... but really any kind of band would do, the important thing is that they be able to show some school spirit and get the crowd riled up.

Well, whatever you do, keep your letter simple, straightforward, and professional. Use concrete examples whenever possible, citing hard facts and your sources when possible. Keeping your letter to no more than a page or two is best. No one will read a seven page letter.

In other words, use reason rather than emotion to make your argument. Speak to the people involved, don't just write a letter. Ask the coach(es) how they feel about it - if they don't want a Pep band that isn't enthusiastic (and you can't make people be enthusiastic) than that may be a leverage point.

After writing your letter to the person in charge, wait a few days for them to mull it over, then ask for an interview. Ask permission to have it tape recorded, possibly (although be very very careful with this one, some people respond very poorly to being recorded... think about discreetly recording your conversation [this may be illegal] so that you have exact words on file).

Ask if a petition would make a difference - if you could show that more people would prefer not to have a pep band vs a live band or their favorite CD music you might have some leverage. Again, this may backfire on you - petitions aren't necessarily a sign of professionalism or being rational (since you're appealing to popular sentiment instead of reason... kinda like how George W got elected because christians were afraid of gay people getting married. stupid sentiment, instead of reason, and see where it's gotten us?). Likewise with student activism commitees... they have their place but make sure no one runs their mouth off or does something stupid. Having people who agree with you and are willing to unite to a common cause with an agreed action agenda is a good thing, that way you know you aren't alone.

The most important thing is that you try to see this person's point of view, try to pass on your point of view, and suggest compromises that can accomodate both. Confrontations, threats, hysterical outbursts, name-calling, "snarkiness" or other such things are out of line and will not get you anywhere except on the s**t list.

I don't know how far you want to take this or how willing you're going to be when you start to meet opposition, but this is a good excercise in student activism regardless. Speak up, and let your voice be heard... but do it in the most reasonable, intelligent way possible, because you won't be taken seriously otherwise.

Good luck!

Saul

COMPLETELY UNFIAR!! Writing a paper!!!?opera mini opera theater

Without rancor(and for the love of God,use spellcheck) sate your case clearly and thoughtfully.Be respectful(even if you feel they are not) and get as many people to sign a petition as you can.This will take commitment on your part,especially as I gather from your passion,that you and your fellows are being treated unfairly,which it sounds like you are.Some things never change and this is one of them.It was the same thing in my school(also a school for the arts) and every now and then,the jocks would try to pull a stunt like this.Stand firm and don't back down.Get your parents involved,after all,their taxes are paying the adminstation to do their job,not the other way around
you're right, music can stand on its own!

let your strong feelings go into the letter, go all out. then go back and edit it for sanity - you want to appeal to the logic of your school's administration.

i think bands are better on their own: acoustics are better inside, you can play any kind of music (not just 'ra ra go team' music), and musicians can focus on the quality of their playing which will bring in more committed, serious musicians. my high school had a great jazz band who played packed concerts just for them! they were amazing and everyone there was really into it!

they are probably going to listen because you provide a solution for everyone.
Well, the first thing you should do in writing a persuasive letter is be sure to use proper spelling and punctuation. 'Teh' isn't a word.