Garfield, Roosevelt Jazz Bands Go First and Second.

Garfield and Roosevelt High School jazz bands won first and second place, respectively, in the Essentially Ellington jazz competition in NYC this weekend according to this Times article. Roosevelt took first last year and Garfield second, so they continue the NW dominance of this event (and the competition between the schools). It speaks volumes about the quality and excellence of these two programs, both in Seattle Public Schools.

Good job!

Comments

SolvayGirl said…
Now...if these stellar programs were just available to talented kids who live outside the school reference areas.
5/11/09, 8:24 AM
Stu said…
It'll be interesting to see how the Garfield program does after a few years of the split middle school APP. Right now, with all APP kids going to Washington Middle School, with it's grea music program, there's a strong foundation for the High School program. Of course, when they split the APP High School program, and they will do that in the near future, since they're arguments for splitting at the elementary and middle school levels are so sound, that'll leave Roosevelt as champs!

stu
5/11/09, 3:19 PM
Melissa Westbrook said…
Or, it may build a program at Hamilton making even more great musicians who may go to schools other than Roosevelt and Garfield and create even more demand for good programs.
5/11/09, 8:02 PM
Stu said…
Melissa wrote: Or, it may build a program at Hamilton making even more great musicians who may go to schools other than Roosevelt and Garfield and create even more demand for good programs.

Actually, we've been hearing great things about the plans for music at Hamilton. However, the individual players don't necessarily make a great band. Over the years, the amazing Washington Middle School program has fed into Garfield's program. Now the APP portion of that program, and a large percentage of APP kids do the music programs, will be split AND will probably feed into different schools. While that might increase the demand for better programs, district-wide, it has to eventually take a toll on Garfield. Plus, there's been a demand for better education across the district and THAT hasn't happened . . .

What's wrong with having magnet music schools, or science schools, or math schools? Make Roosevelt and Garfield music magnets, with out-of-cluster students supplying their own transportation, and they'll continue to thrive.

stu
5/12/09, 1:11 AM
Dorothy Neville said…
Sure, make Garfield a music magnet, decreasing space for APP kids, ensuring the dissolution of APP in High School. And make Roosevelt a music magnet, decreasing space for regular neighborhood kids at the same time continue to allow Hale's principal (see Rose's comment in bell time thread) to say she's such great buds with MGJ they will be allowed to continue their slightly eccentric teaching philosophy (popular with some but not with the majority). That's one way to support music talent and public education.
5/12/09, 6:37 AM
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