by Paul Lorenz
A few years ago, one of my students, currently an incoming freshman at Empire High, was in a music class at Ocotillo Ridge Elementary School, when the teacher asked how many in the class could read music. Hers was the only hand that went up in the entire room. Accordingly, on the days I am headed out of the Vail area for that day’s teaching itinerary, I find it especially difficult to see a traffic jam leave Ocotillo before 2:30 each afternoon, yet no one from the school seems available or interested in taking lessons. Why Ocotillo, you ask? First of all, the school is just two blocks from my residence. It would mean my having to go very short distances to get to the students. Secondly, and more significantly, the school lets out at 2:15 each day, the earliest of all schools in the area, leaving the most time for students to pursue other activities, including music lessons, without becoming overscheduled.
In addition, according to Anne Gibson’s article in the June 2018 Vail Voice about Vail school ratings, Ocotillo is among those receiving an “A” rating from the Arizona State Board of Education. This suggests the kids are getting an excellent education within a reasonable time frame each day. I have never received a complaint they get too much homework, although I can hardly draw a consensus on this matter from so few subjects thus far. Otherwise, this would seem an ideal recipe for taking piano lessons.
Yet, throughout the school’s entire existence thus far, I have taught only two students in attendance at the school: the aforementioned Empire student and a second-grader just over two years ago, who took lessons for just four months, when the mother terminated me over a petty issue unrelated to the lessons. (Regarding this incident, parental commitment, or lack thereof, is a topic I intend to address in a near-future article.) It seems incredible year after year not even one student out of a whole school that lets out at 2:15 PM each day would have an interest in taking lessons.
By contrast, schools elsewhere in the greater Tucson area with longer days and more demanding academic programs, for example Catalina Foothills and BASIS schools, seem to have a much greater percentage of students taking piano lessons, and then I often have to fight over their limited time to schedule them. I however have to go where the work is. If there were better lesson participation in our immediate area, I would not need to go elsewhere for business, and accordingly could be more flexible with lesson scheduling. Each day I have to go elsewhere is a day I can’t be available in the Vail area. Nevertheless, I have openings for all students in this area, regardless of what school you attend. There however are a few more than usual for Ocotillo students, owing to the school’s earlier daily dismissal time.
And it’s not only the Ocotillo student body. Participation has been paltry all over the entire area over the last few years. We know Vail has an enormous student population, based on how many of the area’s schools are at or near capacity. Just recently, a bond election proposal to fund a new high school and one other school in Vail was announced in the news, suggesting the need for even more schools. Out of this vast student population, wouldn’t even a half-dozen be interested in taking piano lessons?
How much of the population is reading the Vail Voice? It is very difficult to assess the actual readership of a publication that is handed out free of charge. Should you come across this article but are not otherwise in the market for a piano teacher, it would be greatly appreciated if you would kindly spread the word in the community. It likely will get back to someone who is considering taking lessons.
Developing music-making skills can make a great contribution to society, even if you don’t become the next Van Cliburn. You can inspire others and promote appreciation for music. In a country that is presently very divided economically, socially, and politically, music, as a universal language can unite our society. It brings us together, regardless of ethnic, religious, or political persuasion. And with all the malicious rhetoric handed down from generation to generation, shouldn’t we do the same for something beautiful like music or art?
