Too much of the really good music is religiously related; what of Bach, for example, could not e said to have been written for religious reasons? And, on the other hand, what of Bach's religiously-dedicated music is so overtly religious as to suggest any endorsement of religion?
At higher levels of competition, these band directors are highly skilled and extremely well-educated musicians. They are familiar with a large array of musical styles. Especially for instrumental music, what difference does it make?
I'm not certain Texas is typical, but in my experience here championship music competitions would be virtually impossible without Aaron Copland -- and what of his stuff is not "religious" to some degree? Copland's use of a Shaker tune was brilliant musically, and I think if it was good enough for CBS and Edward R. Murrow, it can be done without infringing on anyone's religious freedoms.
Without additional action to infer religious intent on the part of the band director, I think it would be difficult to maintain a case that a marching band's instrumental music violates the reasonable separation of church and state.
Ed Darrell
Dallas
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
In a message dated 10/16/2005 9:57:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:Most public school music instructors are probably not familiar with music traditions outside those common to the majority, nevertheless it is not the business of government, at any level, to establish religion of any kind. Because public schools are not churches, it would be constitutionally wiser for public school music programs to use music not related to any religion.The problem of course is that it takes a while to develop a "tradition" in music or other arts. Consequently, if you begin by emptying the field of permissibly taught sacred music (taught for its style, form, _expression_), then you severely limit the instructional choices. Of course, I am sure that it can be done; but the issue is must it?Jim HendersonSenior CounselACLJ_______________________________________________
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