The leading authorities in the field of music education have come to
believe that “the principal purpose of competition _in_ music is to
advance the cause of education _through_ music.” They feel that this
activity contributes great value in building character through the
experience, team work, good fellowship and the ability to be good
losers as well as proud winners.
After the division of the country into regional areas in 1939, 20,000
to 25,000 high school bands were listed in the United States. In 1950
a report on Music Education in the schools states that 35,000 high
schools have bands. In several states departments of music education
have been introduced. The American Music Conference attributes this
upsurge in music interest to demands on school systems made by parents.
In more than 500 communities in 21 states parents have organized
“Community Music Councils” to support school programs, consult with
school principals and boards, and to insist upon the employment of
music supervisors and instructors.
On many occasions unusual means have been used to arouse and stimulate
the interest of student players. The directors of a number of Wisconsin
school bands hit upon the novel idea of combining a band clinic and a
circus.
In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Dr. Lawrence Skilbred, director of music
education and 24 other band directors decided to engage Merle Evans,
the famous leader of the Ringling Brothers’ Band and hire a miniature
three-ring circus of sixteen acts.
Each of the twenty-four bands in the group was allowed to send five
of their star players. Over 100 outstanding student musicians began
rehearsing including Ringlings’ music for their Grand Entry, _Red
Wagons_ and _Circus Days_. The gymnasium in the Fond du Lac High School
was transformed into a three-ring circus. The demand for tickets
couldn’t be supplied. The performance was perfect. Every step of the
military ponies, each swing of the trapeze, every pirouette of the
waltzing lion was accompanied with appropriate music from the band. At
the conclusion Bandmaster Evans mopped his brow and told the All-Star
players, “Everything went like clockwork. You were the largest band I
have ever conducted--and one of the best!”