News-Record.com

It is a sad comment that in the same week we mourn the loss of two of our most accomplished citizens -- both devoted to music education -- our school administrators will recommend that our school board make cuts to the music programs in our elementary schools. The school administration will also recommend reinstatement of only a tiny portion of the instructional time cut last year from music programs (including band, chorus and orchestra) in our middle schools.

Please take a moment to email our school board members and let them know that these programs should be restored FULLY to their previous levels. (You can find the email addresses at
http://www.gcsnc.com/boe/members.htm)

If you can attend the School Board meeting this Thursday night at 6:00 pm, please come out to support music and art education in our schools.

The schools say they must cut music education time so our students can score well on AYP tests. Other systems in our state, however, are able to produce good scores and maintain proud art and music programs. Please let our school board know how you feel.

Yes. Amazingly, the two of them died on the same day. Shelly and I graduated from G'boro Sr High together and remained friends. We were both, all band members, subjected to the verbal abuse of Herbert Hazelman from an early age (I, from about 4th grade through HS). Shelly was a brilliant young musician (French horn player) in HS, and a brilliant conductor later in life.
Once, in HS, Shelly cut his finger and it was bandaged to the point where he found it difficult to play in band practice. Hazelman berated him in front of the whole band and told him he was an stupid. The following weekend Hazelman cut off the whole tip of one of his fingers whilst fiddling with his lawnmower. Tell me, who was stupid?
While Hazelman undoubtedly did much for music in NC, he was, nevertheless, an abusive know-it-all. I will miss Shelly, a lot.

Am I alone in feeling that despite the similarities in their lives, it was more than a little tacky to "honor" these men with a two-for-one editorial?

I had intended to save local tributes for Shelly's widow and daughter, but I can't imagine that after all he gave to Greensboro--and to the world--that they would be comforted by the N&R's shallow nod.

Liz:
We could have done separate editorials, I suppose, but I thought the idea of weaving the themes was a good one -- even better in hindsight given their teacher-student connection.
Of course, I could be wrong. What do others think?

I realize I'm something of a dinosaur, but my upbringing places the passing of any person in a very special, perhaps sanctified, position. I think of an editorial marking the death of a notable person as a kind of condolence to the community, and I would no more combine two such a tributes than I would think of combining their funerals.

Also, if Ms. Dickson's comments on Mr. Hazelman are correct, I'd have to say that the two men's differences are far greater than any coincidental similarities. If you ever saw Shelly with the EMF students, you know that he showed them the utmost respect, even reverence. His face absolutely glowed in their presence.

But like you, Alan, I'd like to know what others think.

(And by the way, I am so glad you wrote the earlier editorial regarding Mr. Salami. Sadly, a lot of people still don't understand what the First Amendment means.)

Oh arrgh. I am so sorry, Allen. Just ban me...

No way, Elizabeth. You've raise some legitimate questions.

You're very kind. So now my mantra will be: Your name has two Ls and one E, while mine has two Es and one L. Ommmm.

Have a joyous Christmas.