| It was a great article. My son just bought two soundtrack CDs (he is almost 13). His friends buy and listen to rap. He is a star in the band, he bought, get this, Game Cube game soundtracks. Actually, the music is pretty good.
I agree with Patrick ... some kids screw around in band. Other really practice and excel. I love DCI and drum corps because it gives serious kids a place to play. The Marching Band world, being as competitive as it is, does some of the same thing.
My kid gets graded in band by how much he practices and by his performance in school. He must practice 150 minutes a week. That is five 30 minutes sessions. And he does it without complaining. He loves to play. His so called "peers" pick on him all the time because he doesn't spend hours playing "Halo 2". But he is a great euph player and a good student. He takes a little crap (but he never backs down).
I am going to have him read the article. Every kid should. So should every parent.
Jim |